An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys) Chapter 2721 To 2730 English Version

 

2721

“President Nicholson, you’re back?” Natasha looked up, her smile bright and effortless. “We’re almost done eating. This place is great—thank you for recommending it.”

Her words clearly placed herself and Dustin on one side… and Dahlia as the “host” on the outside.

Dahlia forced a polite smile. “I’m glad you liked it.”

One glance at Dustin—and Natasha’s watchful stare—was enough for Dahlia to abandon any hope of speaking to him alone. The last spark of intention disappeared from her eyes.

“I have a meeting this afternoon, so I’ll head out first,” she said, picking up her handbag. “I’ve already taken care of the bill.”

“Oh gosh, how could I let you spend money like that?” Natasha replied, though her expression showed absolutely no embarrassment.

“It’s just a meal. No need to be polite.” Dahlia’s gaze lingered on Dustin, complicated and heavy. In the end, she simply said, “Dustin, take care.”

Dustin nodded, expression unchanged. “You too.”

No extra words. No apology. No attempt at resolution.

Dahlia looked at the two of them one last time, as if imprinting the scene deep into herself, then turned around. Back straight, steps steady, she walked away from the place that had stirred up so much pain.

The moment she disappeared, Natasha finally let out a long, satisfied breath—like a soldier who had won a hard-fought battle.

“She’s finally gone…” Natasha leaned against Dustin’s shoulder, sounding both relieved and playfully dramatic. “Having dinner with your ex-wife was so stressful.”

Dustin wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving a gentle pat. He didn’t reply. His gaze drifted toward the direction Dahlia had left, his heart completely at peace.

The past was like smoke—long gone. The only warmth he cared about was in his arms now.

Meanwhile, Dahlia slid into her luxury car and shut her eyes, feeling a bone-deep weariness. She understood: some relationships, once missed, never return.

Some people, once let go, can never be reclaimed.

Today’s chance encounter wasn’t fate—it was a verdict on her past choices.

But the hurt and bitterness inside her… those would take a long time to fade.

As night settled in, the neon lights of the city glimmered like a flowing galaxy.

After their meal, Dustin and Natasha ended their date, and Natasha drove her red sports car toward home. Soft music played through the speakers. Natasha was still riding the high of her earlier “victory,” while Dustin leaned back, eyes closed, feeling the growing weight of his mortal limitations.

But the peaceful drive didn’t last long.

“Screech—!”

“Bang!”

The shriek of brakes and the violent crash hit almost simultaneously.

Seven or eight black minivans suddenly emerged from all directions, boxing them in like predators, forcing Natasha to slam on the brakes.

One of the vans cut sharply in front of them, crashing grill-to-grill with her sports car.

Natasha jerked forward from the impact, saved only by the seatbelt. The shock quickly turned into anger and disbelief.

A loud metallic clang echoed through the air.

In front of the car stood Mateo—face still bandaged, one arm in a cast—swinging a metal baseball bat with his good hand. He smashed it down hard on the hood, leaving a deep dent.

His face twisted with fury, eyes wild with vengeance as he roared, “You two bastards! Get out here!”

At the same time, doors of the other vans slammed open. Dozens of burly men swarmed out, armed with steel pipes, machetes, clubs—surrounding the car completely, murder in their eyes.

At the back, a Rolls-Royce door opened. A young man in a suit stepped out, his presence cold and imposing. He leaned lazily against the hood and lit a cigar.

It was Mateo’s older brother, Hayes.

He watched the trapped sports car with a cruel smile, as if anticipating a good show.

To provoke the Spanner family, and even cripple Mateo so heavily—they really had no idea who they were dealing with.

Inside the car, Natasha’s face drained of color. She instinctively turned to Dustin.

Dustin’s gaze sharpened instantly as he assessed the scene.

Seven or eight vans. Dozens of armed men.

With his current mortal body, he could handle a dozen attackers using experience alone… but this many was impossible. A direct fight would be suicidal.

“Call the police,” Dustin said immediately, voice steady and firm. “And call your grandfather—tell him to send help now.”

Natasha jolted into action. She dialed the police at once and reported their location and the fact they were surrounded. Then she sent an encrypted SOS message to her grandfather.

Outside, Mateo grew even more arrogant when he saw they still hadn’t stepped out of the car.

He continued hammering the hood, shouting furiously, spit flying with every word.

“Dustin! Weren’t you so arrogant before?! Weren’t you good at fighting?! Try acting tough now! If I don’t beat the crap out of you today, I’ll change my surname!”

His voice echoed through the night, filled with rage and madness.

 

 

 

English version 

2722-

“Hit it,” Dustin said calmly, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

Natasha understood instantly. Her eyes hardened, and she slammed her foot down on the gas, aiming the car straight at Mateo and his men.

Mateo jerked back in shock, barely dodging. Two of his thugs weren’t so lucky—they were thrown to the ground on impact.

Natasha shifted into reverse, floored the accelerator, scattered the crowd behind them, then rammed the back of the sports car into the vehicles blocking the intersection.

The powerful collision sent the blocking car skidding sideways, opening a narrow escape path.

Natasha didn’t hesitate. With a sharp twist of the steering wheel, she drifted cleanly through the gap, broke through the blockade, and sped off into the night.

“Damn it! After them! Don’t let them get away!” Mateo roared, brushing dirt off himself as he climbed to his feet.

Hayes crushed his cigar under his heel, his expression dark, then silently got into his car.

In the next second, engines thundered to life. Seven or eight vans surged forward like starving sharks catching the scent of blood, chasing after the fleeing red sports car.

A high-speed urban chase exploded across the city streets.

Natasha’s driving was exceptional. She weaved, drifted, and cut sharp corners with near-perfect precision, trying everything to shake the cars tailing them.

Dustin watched the rear through the back window, calling out warnings about incoming turns and obstacles.

But there were too many pursuing vehicles. And these weren’t amateurs—they drove like seasoned predators refusing to let go.

After several miles of intense pursuit, Natasha was forced onto a long overpass stretching over the river.

The bridge was wide, but the path ahead was already sealed off—and the convoy behind had closed in, trapping them completely.

“Damn it!” Natasha slammed her palm against the steering wheel.

Dustin inhaled deeply as the thugs poured out of the vans, weapons in hand, steadily closing in.

He unbuckled his seatbelt, shrugged off the expensive suit jacket she had just bought him, and tossed it onto the seat, left only in his white shirt.

“Stay in the car. Lock the doors.”

His voice was calm, but his eyes were resolute. “I’ll hold them off until help arrives.”

“Be careful,” Natasha said. Worry flickered across her face, but she didn’t try to stop him. She trusted him.

With his skills, handling a mob like this shouldn’t be impossible—even without his former strength.

Dustin opened the door and stepped out, shutting it firmly behind him.

The night wind whipped against his white shirt, outlining his tall, steady frame.

Alone, he faced dozens of armed thugs closing in with murderous intent. Still, there wasn’t a trace of fear in his eyes—only a cold, steady focus.

Mateo blinked, stunned for a moment, then burst into a mocking laugh. “Guess some people really aren’t afraid of dying! Get him! Kill him!”

Hayes leaned against a car, watching like it was a casual street brawl instead of an ambush.

“Kill!”

The mob charged at Dustin like a tidal wave.

Dustin’s eyes sharpened. Instead of meeting them head-on, he flipped backward, landing on the slightly raised pedestrian walkway along the side of the bridge.

The narrow space limited how many attackers could reach him at once—giving him at least a fighting chance.

The fight erupted instantly.

Even without his cultivation, Dustin’s instincts, techniques, and combat timing were carved into his bones.

He moved fast—blindingly fast. Fists, elbows, knees, kicks—every strike was precise, ruthless, and deadly.

Bang!

His punch smashed into a thug’s nose. The man screamed as blood poured out, collapsing instantly.

Crack!

A side kick snapped another man’s knee. He hit the ground shrieking in agony.

Smack!

A backhand chop caught a third thug in the neck. The man dropped silently.

Dustin moved like a predator—slipping, dodging, weaving through the narrow walkway with fluid precision. And every time he struck, someone fell.

But even the most skilled fighter is just flesh and blood. And no matter how fierce the tiger, it can’t fight a pack forever.

He was human now—no enhanced strength, no heightened senses.

Their sticks and blades came from all directions. Some blows were impossible to avoid.

Wham!

A steel pipe slammed into his back, making him stagger as a metallic taste rose in his throat.

Shhk!

A machete grazed his arm, slicing his sleeve and leaving a bloody gouge.

The pain sharpened his senses instead of slowing him down. If anything, it made him even more ferocious.

Within ten minutes, more than a dozen thugs lay groaning on the ground.

But Dustin was breathing hard now. Sweat, dust, and streaks of blood soaked his once-white shirt, and his movements were beginning to slow.

Inside the car, Natasha’s heart pounded. Her palms were drenched with cold sweat.

Seeing him get hit again and again felt like knives stabbing her own heart.

Then—

As Dustin blocked an attack from the side, a thug seized the opening and swung a metal rod straight toward the back of his head.

This one would kill him.

“No!” Natasha’s eyes widened, her blood turning cold.

Without a second thought, she grabbed the sleek, custom-made pistol hidden near her seat, aimed at the thug going for the sneak attack, and pulled the trigger.

Bang! Bang!

Two crisp gunshots split the night.

2723

The bullet didn’t hit the thug directly, but it struck the ground right at his feet, sparking against the pavement.

He yelped in fright and stumbled backward.

The sudden gunshot stunned the other thugs as well. They froze, staring at Natasha with wary, uncertain eyes, not daring to move any closer.

“Husband, are you okay?!” Natasha rushed to Dustin’s side, her gun still trained on the crowd.

Dustin, breathing hard, leaned against the railing and wiped the blood from his mouth. “I’m fine. Just a small injury,” he said, waving her off.

But his disheveled appearance—and the fact that he was clearly fighting far below his old level—only deepened Natasha’s confusion. She couldn’t hold back anymore. “Husband… you used to be unstoppable. Why are you so weak now?”

Dustin gave a helpless smile. At this point, there was no point hiding it. In a low voice, he said, “I’ve lost all my cultivation. Right now, I’m no different from an ordinary person.”

“What?!” Natasha’s eyes widened in shock. “How is that possible?!”

“It’s a long story. I’ll explain later.” Dustin shook his head.

Natasha still had a thousand questions—but now wasn’t the time.

She gritted her teeth, her expression hardening. “Fine. Then I’ll get you out of here myself.”

Just then, the crowd parted, and Mateo and Hayes—who had been watching from the sidelines—finally stepped forward.

Mateo looked at the gun in Natasha’s hand without the slightest fear. Instead, he let out a mocking laugh. “Natasha, put that thing down and come with me quietly. Maybe I’ll consider sparing your pretty little husband. But if you keep resisting, he’s a dead man tonight.”

Natasha’s expression turned ice-cold. “Mateo, don’t do anything stupid. I’m warning you—you can’t afford to provoke this man.”

“Can’t afford to provoke him?” Mateo burst out laughing as if she’d told the funniest joke in the world. “Spare me. In Dragonmarsh, who can the royal Spanner family not afford to offend? Don’t try to scare me. I may have to leave you untouched, but that kid? He’s done for.”

His gaze swept over Natasha’s body, shameless and hungry. He licked his lips. “Still… I could be persuaded to let him live. Just spend one night with me, and we’ll pretend none of this happened. How about it?”

“You’re dreaming!” Natasha snapped, her whole body trembling with fury.

Mateo’s expression instantly darkened. “Then you leave me no choice.”

He raised his arm and shouted to the surrounding thugs, “Get him! Whoever cripples that boy gets one million!”

Greed lit up their eyes. Clubs tightened in their hands as they began to advance again.

Natasha fired another shot into the sky. “Take one more step and I swear I’ll shoot!”

The gunshot froze the mob again—but only for a moment.

Mateo sneered. “She’s got one gun and a handful of bullets. We’ve got dozens of men. What are you afraid of? Move! First person to take him down gets double!”

The thugs exchanged glances—and greed beat fear. With a roar, they surged forward again.

Natasha went pale. Her hand trembled around the pistol. She didn’t know who to shoot first.

Dustin grabbed her hand firmly and glanced at the rushing river below the bridge. His eyes hardened.

If things truly reached the breaking point, their only chance might be to jump—and pray they survived.

But just then—

A barrage of sharp, piercing sirens exploded from every direction.

The sound echoed across the entire overpass.

Seconds later, the heavy thrum of helicopter blades filled the sky. A police chopper descended overhead, its blinding searchlight sweeping across the bridge like a divine spotlight.

The overpass lit up as bright as midday.

At both ends of the bridge, dozens of police cars with flashing red-and-blue lights stormed in, boxing in Mateo’s convoy from all sides.

Doors flung open. Fully armed officers poured out, riot shields up, guns raised, all of them aiming at the thugs.

“DROP YOUR WEAPONS! HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD! GET DOWN!” the commanding voice boomed from the loudspeaker.

The sudden reversal stunned every thug on the scene.

Seeing the countless barrels aimed their way—and the overwhelming force arrayed against them—their bravado evaporated. One by one, they went pale, tossed their weapons aside, and crouched down with their hands over their heads.

Natasha let out a long, shaky breath. Her legs softened beneath her, and she leaned heavily against the car. “We made it… finally.”

Dustin also felt the tension drain from his body. As a mortal, without his cultivation, he had almost fallen into the hands of these gutter-level thugs.

He needed to be more careful going forward. One careless move could get him killed.

Mateo and Hayes, however, didn’t look frightened—only frustrated and irritated.

Hayes adjusted his suit and snorted coldly.

With the influence of the Spanner royal family, even if they were arrested tonight, it would be nothing more than a routine process. They’d be out before sunset tomorrow.

Still, getting caught like this was humiliating.

As the police took control of the scene, Hayes glanced at Dustin and Natasha, standing close together.

His eyes grew darker—cold, venomous.

This wasn’t over. Not even close.

 

 

 

 

English version 

2724 

Under the bright lights of the police station, Dustin and Natasha were politely escorted into an interrogation room.

A middle-aged officer took their statements himself, his attitude calm and respectful.

Natasha went through everything in detail—from the moment they were boxed in by Mateo’s convoy after leaving the mall, to the chase, and finally the siege on the overpass.

Dustin supplemented her account, emphasizing the size of the group, the weapons they carried, and the fact that Mateo and Hayes openly ordered the attack.

He spoke steadily and logically, framing the entire situation as a clear case of intentional assault and unlawful detention.

The officer taking notes frowned as he wrote.

The involvement of the Spanner family—a royal clan—combined with such blatant criminal behavior, was a headache he clearly didn’t want.

Just then, a soft knock came at the door.

A young officer stepped inside, whispered something into the middle-aged officer’s ear, and discreetly handed him a cellphone that was already connected to a call.

The officer walked to the corner, murmured a few words into the phone, and his expression shifted—his eyes tightening with something between caution and understanding.

He hung up and turned to Dustin and Natasha, his attitude instantly more formal and polite.

“Mr. Rhys, Ms. Harmon, we’ve completed your statements,” he said. “You two are confirmed victims in this case. You may leave now. We’ll arrange a car to take you home.”

“Thank you,” Dustin replied.

They stood and followed another officer out.

As they passed down a dim corridor, familiar shouting echoed from an open interrogation room.

“Dammit! Watch it! Do you know who I am?!”

Mateo’s furious voice.

Instinctively, Dustin and Natasha glanced inside.

Mateo and Hayes sat in interrogation chairs. Mateo’s face was bruised, twisted with rage as he yelled at the officers. Hayes was silent, but the cold venom in his eyes was far more unsettling.

When Mateo spotted Dustin and Natasha walking free down the hallway, his expression froze—then erupted.

“STOP!”

He lurched up from the chair, only to be shoved back down by the officer behind him.

Fighting wildly, he pointed at Dustin and roared, “Why?! Why can they leave but we’re stuck here?! What kind of police work is this?!”

The stern-faced officer leading the questioning snapped coldly, “They’re victims. They’re free to leave. You, however, committed assault with weapons. The evidence is absolute. You’ll face consequences according to the law.”

“Bullsh*t!” Mateo spat. “Victims? They hurt my men! They crashed my car! Do you even know who I am? I’m from the royal Spanner family! Release me right now or you’re finished!”

He was used to being above the rules—and treated the officer like nothing.

The officer’s expression hardened. “Mateo, you’ve got some nerve. Threatening public officials inside a police station? That’s an additional offense!”

“Screw you!” Mateo lost all control. Fueled by arrogance, he actually shoved the officer.

“Restrain him!” the officer barked.

Two young officers reacted instantly. They grabbed Mateo, twisted his arms behind his back, and pinned him to the ground. No matter how much he thrashed and cursed, he couldn’t move an inch.

“Let me go! You dogs! I’ll sue all of you! I’ll— Big Brother! Big Brother, say something!” Mateo yelled, face pressed against the cold floor.

Hayes finally lifted his gaze, his expression completely dark.

He fixed the lead officer with a chilling stare. His voice was low, but every word carried a heavy threat.

“Officer… I advise you to stop. Release my brother now, and I’ll overlook tonight’s incident. If not… one phone call from me, and both you and your station chief will be unemployed tomorrow. Do you believe me?”

This wasn’t Mateo’s loud, childish arrogance—it was real, weighted intimidation.

But the officer didn’t blink.

He waved a hand, expression unreadable. “Group assault, armed violence, obstruction of law enforcement, and issuing threats against officers. Take him to the detention center.”

“Yes, sir!”

Mateo and Hayes were both restrained and pulled to their feet. As they were escorted out, they passed the corridor where Dustin and Natasha stood watching quietly.

The moment Mateo saw them, hatred flared like wildfire in his eyes. He twisted in the officers’ grip, screaming:

“You! Don’t get cocky! I’ll be out tomorrow! And when I’m out, I’ll make you regret being born! Just wait!”

His voice echoed down the hallway, manic and vicious.

Dustin’s expression cooled instantly, like frost hardening across steel.

He met Mateo’s murderous gaze and spoke slowly—his tone calm, but carrying a chilling finality:

“In that case… you shouldn’t come out.”

2725

The moment they stepped out of the police station, a cold night breeze swept past.

Dustin pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and said plainly, “I’ve run into some trouble. I need your help.”

…

Inside the police station’s detention center.

Although Mateo and Hayes were being held, they weren’t placed with the regular detainees. Instead, they’d been taken to a temporary holding room with noticeably better conditions.

A courtesy extended solely because of the Spanner family’s influence.

But that small privilege did nothing to soothe Mateo’s rage.

“Damn it! A bunch of blind idiots! How dare they lock me up?!” Mateo paced in circles, cursing nonstop. “Once I get out, I’m killing that pretty-boy Rhys! And that officer who pushed my head down—I’ll break his legs!”

The more he thought about it, the hotter his fury grew. He had never suffered this kind of humiliation in his life.

Hayes sat quietly on a makeshift cot, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. His expression was so dark it looked ready to spill ink.

He wasn’t shouting like his younger brother, but his clenched fists and heavy breathing said enough—his anger was no less intense.

Hayes was the kind who didn’t bark before biting.

He didn’t get revenge by yelling. He preferred the most direct—and brutal—method possible, making sure the other side paid a price they would never forget.

Today, Dustin had not only injured Mateo but also embarrassed them publicly. That was something Hayes would repay tenfold—maybe a hundredfold.

About an hour later, footsteps sounded outside.

Moments later, the door swung open.

A group of middle-aged men in tailored suits strode in, their presence imposing and authoritative. The man at the front was in his fifties, bearing a striking resemblance to Hayes—except colder, sharper, and far more intimidating.

Adam Spanner, a high-ranking figure in the royal Spanner family, and the eldest uncle of Mateo and Hayes.

“Uncle! Finally!” Mateo practically leapt forward like he’d seen salvation. “Some blind fool laid hands on me! Look! My wrist is injured! You have to stand up for me!”

Adam glanced at Mateo’s cast and bruises. His brows knitted—anger flashed in his eyes—but what followed was a deep, disappointed frown.

“Useless!” Adam snapped. “All you do is embarrass the Spanner family when you go out!”

Despite the reprimand, the Spanner family couldn’t afford to lose face. Their nephew had been beaten and detained—something could not end quietly.

Adam turned toward the police chief standing nearby, his expression dropping to an icy command.

“Director Wang, what are you waiting for? Release him. Now.”

Director Wang’s face darkened with conflict.

He knew exactly who Adam was—a man whose influence ran deep enough that even his own superiors would tread carefully around him. Under normal circumstances, a single phone call from Adam would send him scrambling to release the young master immediately.

But tonight wasn’t normal.

Ever since receiving those unusual, high-level phone calls, Director Wang had felt cold sweat down his back.

Forcing a strained smile, he said, “Mr. Spanner… your nephew’s situation is serious. He’s suspected of illegal assembly, carrying weapons, and endangering public safety. There’s strong evidence. He even threatened officers during questioning. Procedurally, we can’t release him yet. Further investigation is required.”

“Procedure?” Adam let out a short, incredulous laugh. He stepped closer, his eyes sharp enough to pierce skin. “Director Wang, have you gotten too comfortable in that chair? You dare talk to me about procedures? I can end your career with one word. Release them. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

The pressure rolling off Adam made Director Wang tremble. His shirt clung to his back with sweat.

On one side stood the powerful, untouchable Spanner family.

On the other—orders from an even higher authority.

Just as Director Wang felt himself reaching the breaking point and was ready to grit his teeth and give in—

VROOOOM—!

Outside, a deep, thunderous roar of engines shook the night air. Not the sound of ordinary vehicles—these engines carried a commanding weight, a sense of unmistakable authority.

Then came rapid, synchronized footsteps approaching fast—straight toward the detention area.

Adam’s eyes narrowed. Director Wang stiffened.

The doorway filled with a formation of figures standing like iron pillars.

Two young men in black suits led the group—stern, sharp-eyed, radiating the cold, disciplined aura of elite operatives. Their presence alone shifted the air.

But it was the figure behind them who made Adam and Director Wang’s pupils tighten in shock.

A young woman stepped inside.

Her outfit was simple, almost understated, but the aura she carried—calm, noble, commanding—made the entire room feel smaller. Her beauty was enough to stun, but the authority between her brows overshadowed everything else.

Just by standing there, she became the center of the room.

Grace.

The most beloved princess of Dragonmarsh.

Why was she here?

Adam’s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach.

2726

Grace’s sudden arrival was like a drop of cold water splashing into boiling oil—the entire detention room instantly sank into a suffocating, terrifying silence.

All the arrogance Adam carried from his family’s influence vanished the moment he saw her.

It was replaced by a bone-deep chill and a crushing sense of dread.

He knew exactly how much the Emperor valued the princess—how much power she held both inside and outside the court. For her to personally appear in a small district police detention center… there was no way this was a casual visit.

Unfortunately, not everyone understood the gravity of the situation.

Mateo, who had been stewing in irritation, looked up and saw a stunning young woman walking in, flanked by two men in black. Her elegance stunned him for half a second—but his playboy instincts quickly drowned out whatever instinctive caution he felt.

When he saw her walking toward them, his suppressed arrogance resurfaced instantly.

He curled his lip, gave Grace a look that was more flirtatious than respectful, and drawled, “Oh? Another one? She’s pretty. What, did you come to watch this young master’s show too? Or do you have something going on with that pretty boy named Rhys as well—”

“You wretched little fool! Shut up!”

Before Mateo could finish, Adam’s face turned deathly pale. Terrified, he swung hard and slapped Mateo across the already swollen cheek.

Smack!

The sound was loud, sharp—violent enough to make Mateo stagger and nearly fall. Blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.

Mateo was stunned. He clutched his cheek, staring at his uncle in horror and confusion.

“Uncle! Why… why did you hit me again? She’s just a pretty woman! Is that really necessary?!”

He couldn’t understand. The uncle who always spoiled him was suddenly beating him senseless over a stranger.

“I told you to shut up! One more word and I’ll break your legs!”

Adam was nearly shaking with fear. Worried that Mateo might say something even worse, he kicked him in the stomach and sent him crashing to the floor.

Then—ignoring his nephew entirely—Adam straightened his clothes, forced a terrified smile, bent low, and quickly approached Grace.

His voice trembled uncontrollably.

“Your Highness, why have you come here? My nephew has always been foolish and tactless. If he has offended you, please don’t take it to heart. I will discipline him severely when we return!”

Your… Highness?!

The words detonated through the cramped cell like thunder.

Mateo froze as if turned to stone.

He slowly lifted his head, his eyes widening in horror as he stared at the beautiful young woman before him.

Princess…? Princess Grace Linsor of Dragonmarsh?!

Even the most spoiled brat understands what the word princess means.

And he had just flirted with her—crudely.

A cold wave surged up his spine, numbing his entire body. His face drained of color, and he trembled uncontrollably, forgetting even the pain.

Hayes—usually calmer and more calculating than his brother—also paled, his heart pounding. Sweat soaked his back in an instant.

Why was the princess here?

Was it because of Dustin and Natasha? Did they have some connection to her?

The possibility sent an icy jolt of fear through him.

Grace didn’t acknowledge Adam’s apology. She didn’t even spare Mateo, who was curled on the floor, a single glance.

Her cold gaze swept over Adam’s terrified face and finally stopped at his trembling fingers.

“Adam.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a natural authority—an icy pressure that made the room feel several degrees colder.

“You people from the Spanner family are truly lawless. Arrogant to the extreme.”

She paused, her eyes shifting toward Director Wang, who stood stiffly at her side.

“Your nephew committed a crime, and the evidence is solid. Yet instead of reflecting on it or holding him accountable, you came here personally—to threaten law enforcement and force them to release him.”

Her tone sharpened, turning frigid.

“So tell me—does the Spanner family really believe they can run wild in Oakvale? Do you think you can simply ignore the law?”

2727

“No! No! Your Highness, please—you’ve misunderstood! This isn’t true! None of it is true!”

Adam was trembling so badly his face had gone completely pale. Sweat rolled down his forehead in thick beads as he frantically waved his hands, bending so low it looked like he was about to fold in half.

His voice cracked as he nearly cried, “Your Highness, you’ve completely misunderstood! What happened just now… it was only a small miscommunication! I was worried that my two foolish nephews were being wronged here at the station, and in my panic, I might’ve spoken too harshly. I absolutely did not mean to threaten Director Wang. Director Wang, don’t you agree? It was just a misunderstanding, right?”

He shot Director Wang a desperate look, practically begging him to speak up.

But the director didn’t dare say a word. He kept his head lowered, eyes fixed on the floor, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.

Grace let out a cold, humorless smile. “A misunderstanding? My tone was a bit harsh? Adam… do you take me for an idiot?”

Adam stammered, “No, no, of course not, Your Highness. I would never—”

“Then tell me,” Grace cut him off sharply, “your dear nephew Mateo gathered dozens of thugs—armed with controlled knives and bats—then openly surrounded, chased, and tried to attack someone in the middle of a busy street. What would you call that? A minor argument?”

Her gaze slid to the ashen-faced Hayes.

“And your other dear nephew—Hayes,” she continued icily. “As the older brother, not only did you fail to stop him, you encouraged him. And afterward, you had the audacity to threaten law enforcement inside a police station. Tell me, what part of that sounds like a ‘misunderstanding’?”

Adam’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. His shirt clung to his back, drenched in cold sweat.

He finally forced out a weak excuse. “Your Highness, they must’ve been impulsive. Young people sometimes get hot-headed and make mistakes. This was just—just a moment of recklessness…”

“A moment of impulse?” Grace laughed—an icy, cutting sound. She didn’t bother arguing further. Instead, she signaled to one of the men in black behind her.

The man immediately stepped forward and handed her a thick brown paper file.

Grace didn’t even look at it.

She simply flicked her wrist—and slammed the folder into Adam’s chest.

SPLAT!

The folder burst open on impact. A thick pile of documents and photos flew out like scattered snowflakes, hitting Adam in the face, landing on his shoulders, and raining down onto the floor.

Adam froze, stunned.

He lowered his gaze.

And immediately—

his pupils shrank. His face turned ghost-white. His lips trembled uncontrollably.

Spread across the floor were photos from tonight’s incident—and even more damning, clearly printed documents.

Detailed records of Mateo’s past misconduct:

street fights, assaults, shady dealings.

Dates. Locations. Witnesses. Transaction logs.

Everything laid out in black and white.

Hayes’s files were even worse.

Evidence of abusing the family name to crush business rivals. Unfair competition. Major commercial fraud investigations. Even reports of suspected threats and intimidation.

Each accusation was detailed. Each chain of evidence complete.

This wasn’t something gathered in a hurry tonight—someone had prepared this long in advance.

Someone had been watching Mateo and Hayes for a long time.

Or perhaps… watching the entire Spanner family.

Grace’s voice cut through the suffocating silence like a blade.

“Now,” she asked coldly, “what do you have to say? Will you still claim this is a misunderstanding? Or will you accuse someone of framing the Spanner family?”

Adam felt an icy shock surge from his tailbone up his spine, freezing him to the core. His limbs went numb.

The princess hadn’t come to talk.

She’d come to settle accounts.

“Your Highness! Your Highness, please—please show mercy!”

Completely overwhelmed by fear, his last shred of dignity collapsed. His knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground with a hard thud, kneeling before her.

His voice shook uncontrollably.

“It is my fault—I failed to discipline them! I beg you, Your Highness, for the sake of the meritorious service rendered by our ancestors to Dragonmarsh, please spare them this once! Our Spanner family will be eternally grateful—we will correct our ways, we will discipline our children, we will never allow this to happen again!”

He was practically sobbing now, rambling desperately as he kowtowed over and over.

Grace looked down at him coldly.

“The merits of your ancestors are not a shield for you to commit wrongdoing.”

She paused.

“Adam, let me make one thing clear: if it weren’t for your family’s past contributions to the country, do you think this matter would still be limited to just your two nephews?”

Her words hit him like a hammer.

Adam’s head snapped up, eyes widened in horror.

The princess was warning him—

If he kept pushing his luck…

the entire Spanner family might be dragged down with them.

 

 

 

 

 

English version 

2728

Grace withdrew her gaze from Adam and turned instead to Mateo—who was trembling uncontrollably—and to Hayes, whose face was drained of all color. Her voice was calm, firm, and absolute, carrying an authority that left no room for argument.

“Mateo and Hayes have openly disregarded the law,” she declared. “They gathered accomplices to commit violent acts, used weapons to injure others, interfered with official duties, and have a long history of misconduct. The evidence is irrefutable.”

Her tone hardened.

“They will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

Then she looked back at Adam, still kneeling on the ground, and delivered her final warning.

“Adam, if you want to blame anyone, blame your ‘good’ nephews—for doing what they should never have done, and for offending someone they should never have offended.”

She pronounced their fate clearly, each word landing like a hammer.

“Effective immediately, Mateo and Hayes are stripped of all privileges and status. They will be handed over to the judicial authorities for strict sentencing. From this day forward, they will spend the rest of their lives in prison—reflecting on their crimes.”

Life… in prison?!

Adam’s mind went blank. His face turned deathly gray as he collapsed onto the ground, completely unable to even beg.

He knew it was over.

Once the princess spoke, there was no appeal.

Mateo and Hayes were finished.

Worse still, the Spanner family had now left an indelible stain—not only in the princess’s eyes, but in the emperor’s as well.

“No! Uncle! Save me! Uncle—save me!”

Mateo finally snapped out of his paralyzing fear. Letting out a pig-like scream, he scrambled toward Adam, crawling desperately across the floor.

“I don’t want to go to prison! I don’t want to! Uncle—please!”

Hayes stood frozen in place, his face ashen, lips trembling. He wanted to speak, to plead, to explain—but not a single word would come out. Only endless fear and despair swallowed him whole.

“Take them away.”

Grace waved her hand, her expression indifferent.

The two men in black behind her—clearly from a special enforcement unit—stepped forward at once. They efficiently subdued the screaming Mateo and the stiff, unresisting Hayes, snapping specially made restraints onto their wrists.

“Uncle! Uncle, say something! Save me! I’m a descendant of the Spanner family!”

“Let me go! Do you know who I am?!”

“Your Highness! I was wrong! I really was wrong! Please forgive me—I’ll never do it again!”

Their cries, struggles, and desperate pleas echoed through the detention room, shrill and heartbreaking.

Adam remained kneeling on the ground, watching helplessly as his two nephews were dragged away like dead dogs. Their voices grew fainter and fainter, each scream cutting into his heart.

Yet he didn’t dare say a single word.

He didn’t even have the courage to look at Grace again.

He knew that from this moment on, Mateo and Hayes had fallen into a bottomless abyss—one they would never climb out of.

All because they had offended someone who appeared ordinary… but wasn’t.

When the black special vehicle parked outside finally disappeared into the darkness of the night, the cries stopped completely.

A suffocating silence descended over the police station.

Only a broken Adam—and Director Wang, who scarcely dared to breathe—remained.

After everything was settled, Grace took out her phone and dialed a number.

“It’s taken care of,” she said simply.

“Thank you,” Dustin’s voice replied from the other end.

“There’s no need to thank me,” Grace smiled. “If you ever need anything in the future, just come to me.”

“Alright. We’ll talk again,” Dustin said.

“Mhm.”

After hanging up, Grace frowned slightly.

When she had received Dustin’s call earlier, she had been genuinely surprised.

In her eyes, he was someone nearly omnipotent—capable of resolving almost any problem on his own.

She hadn’t understood why he would need her help at all.

Mateo and Hayes were insignificant compared to him. With a flick of his finger, he could have erased them completely.

Yet despite her confusion, she hadn’t asked any questions. She had immediately mobilized her intelligence network and crushed the matter with overwhelming force.

And exactly as Dustin requested—

The two were sentenced to life imprisonment.

…

After leaving the police station, Dustin and Natasha didn’t head straight home.

After receiving basic first aid at the hospital, they stopped at a roadside food stall for a late-night meal.

The stall was crowded, lively, and noisy. The air was thick with the irresistible scents of barbecue, stir-fried noodles, and spicy crayfish.

Natasha efficiently ordered a spread of grilled skewers, stir-fried rice noodles, and two bowls of chilled mung bean soup.

Resting her chin on her hand, she studied Dustin’s profile—slightly tired, yet calm and composed—and couldn’t help feeling both concern and curiosity.

“What does it mean that you’ve lost all your cultivation?” she asked softly. “Is it serious?”

Dustin picked up a sizzling mutton skewer, took a bite, and unconsciously narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.

“It’s not a bad thing,” he said calmly. “It’s a necessary stage before breaking through. You have to experience certain things to reach the next level. During this time, though, I can’t use any power.”

Natasha didn’t fully understand, but hearing him say it wasn’t dangerous eased her heart.

“Then eat more,” she said gently, handing him a fragrant chicken wing. “Take good care of yourself.”

Dustin smiled and raised another skewer, offering it to her lips.

Amid the bustling noise of the city, the two quietly enjoyed the warmth that came from surviving a disaster together. Their conversation was soft, unhurried, filled with an unexpected sense of peace.

Just then—

Natasha’s phone rang.

The moment she answered it, her expression changed completely.

2729

The call had come from Natasha’s personal secretary.

The moment she spoke, her voice was shaking, thick with panic and tears.

“President Harmon—something terrible has happened!”

“About half an hour ago, we received multiple calls in succession—from Yunhan International, Xinma Capital, and Hontu Real Estate. They’ve all unilaterally notified us that they’re terminating every existing partnership. All previously agreed projects have been suspended!”

“What?”

Natasha’s expression changed instantly.

“Terminating cooperation? The contracts are already signed. Are they planning to breach them outright?”

“They said it’s due to ‘strategic adjustments’ and refused to elaborate,” the secretary replied urgently. “They’re willing to pay the breach-of-contract penalties in full.”

She paused, then continued in a strained voice.

“But that’s not the worst part. Several of our long-term raw material suppliers and distributors just sent official notices as well. They’re citing force majeure and saying they can no longer supply goods or provide channel support.”

“…That many?” Natasha’s heart sank.

“Yes.”

A chill spread through her chest.

These clients and suppliers were the backbone—the lifeline—of Dash Corporation. For all of them to move at the same time was no coincidence.

“How did this happen so suddenly?” Natasha asked, forcing herself to stay calm. “Did you find out anything?”

The secretary hesitated before lowering her voice.

“I used some private connections. Someone at Yunhan hinted that Dash Corporation may have unintentionally offended a very powerful figure. He didn’t know who it was—but he made it clear this wasn’t an ordinary business dispute.”

Offended… a powerful figure?

Countless possibilities flashed through Natasha’s mind.

The Spanner family?

No—impossible.

Mateo and Hayes were still being held by the authorities. They were in no position to retaliate, let alone mobilize something like this.

As for her other competitors—none of them had the reach to pressure so many industry giants simultaneously.

“I understand,” Natasha said at last, her voice steady again. “Stabilize the internal situation first. Calm the employees and prevent panic. I’ll handle everything when I return to the company tomorrow.”

“Also, continue gathering information discreetly. Don’t alert anyone.”

“Yes, President!”

The call ended.

Natasha stood still for several seconds, the night breeze brushing against her skin, leaving a cold sensation behind.

She rubbed her temples, suppressing the storm brewing in her eyes, then adjusted her expression before returning to the table.

“What’s wrong?” Dustin noticed immediately. “You don’t look well.”

Natasha sat down, picked up her chilled mung bean soup, took a sip, and smiled casually.

“It’s nothing serious,” she said lightly. “Just a small issue at the company. A few clients changed their minds at the last minute. It happens in business—I can handle it.”

She didn’t want Dustin to worry.

Especially not now, when he had lost all his cultivation and was in a critical phase.

The visible and invisible wars of commerce were her battlefield—not his.

Dustin glanced at her for a moment, then nodded without pressing further.

“If you need help, tell me.”

“Okay.”

Warmth filled her chest. Natasha leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek, leaving behind a faint trace of fragrance.

“You should head back and rest,” she said softly. “I might need to go back to the company to deal with some things. We’ll talk later.”

After finishing their late-night meal, Natasha drove Dustin back to his villa, reminded him to lock the doors and windows, and then sped off toward Dash Corporation’s headquarters.

The city lights glittered brightly, reflecting coldly in her eyes.

Whoever was behind this—

Anyone who dared to target Dash Corporation would pay the price.

The Next Morning

In the president’s office at Dash Corporation.

Natasha hadn’t slept all night.

Dark circles shadowed her eyes, but her gaze was sharp and focused, like a blade.

Her massive desk was covered with documents—contracts, financial reports, and an overnight summary of affected clients and suppliers compiled by her secretary.

She reviewed them one by one, her brows knitting tighter with each page.

The losses were worse—and faster—than she had anticipated.

It wasn’t just major clients and suppliers. Several small and mid-sized partners had already caught wind of the situation and begun to waver. Some were even quietly reaching out to her competitors.

With both cash flow and the supply chain under pressure, a single misstep could cause Dash Corporation’s entire business structure to collapse in a very short time.

“Knock, knock.”

The secretary entered, her face even paler than the night before.

“President Harmon… we just received confirmation that Hucai Technology and Sheshi Media have also formally terminated their advertising contracts and project cooperation for the next quarter.”

Two more heavyweight partners.

Natasha slammed her pen onto the desk with a dull thud.

Leaning back in her chair, she closed her eyes and rubbed her throbbing temples.

After an entire night of investigation—and after exhausting several hidden channels—she still couldn’t identify the mastermind.

The Spanner family, once her prime suspect, had been ruled out.

Adam was already buried in his own crisis, and the other factions within the family were furious over Mateo and Hayes’s reckless stupidity. They were in no position to stir further trouble.

As for her usual business rivals—

They would absolutely kick her while she was down, but none of them had the power to force so many influential figures—across different industries and backgrounds—to act in perfect unison.

This wasn’t just a matter of exchange.

This was pressure—authority exerted from above.

The kind of power that could make industry titans willingly pay breach fees just to cut ties immediately.

In Oakvale, only a handful of people possessed that level of influence.

Royal families.

Imperial relatives.

Those standing closest to the throne.

Imperial relatives…

Suddenly—

Like a bolt of lightning cutting through the darkness, a single name flashed through Natasha’s mind.

Dahlia.

2730

That was it.

Dahlia.

Everything finally clicked into place.

She was now Prince Seamus Mosey’s goddaughter—deeply favored, highly valued—and held nearly half of the Mosey family’s financial authority. Her influence within the business world and elite circles was expanding at an astonishing pace.

With the Mosey family’s power and resources, crushing Dash Corporation would be effortless—if they truly intended to do so.

The question was: why?

Natasha’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing through them.

Last night at the restaurant, she had been openly affectionate with Dustin—intentionally so. Anyone could see how uncomfortable it made Dahlia.

Given Dahlia’s proud and aloof nature, she might not show it openly. But harboring resentment and retaliating through business pressure? That was entirely possible.

This wasn’t just revenge.

It felt calculated.

“She really is that petty,” Natasha muttered under her breath, her fingertips tapping rhythmically against the desk, her gaze sharp as blades. “In business and in love, it all comes down to ability. You couldn’t win back Dustin’s heart, so you resorted to dirty tricks instead?”

Her lips curled into a cold smile.

“You’re trying to force me to retreat? Or hoping to see me humiliated?”

A fierce surge of anger and defiance rose in her chest.

“Fine,” Natasha said coolly. “You want to play? Then I’ll play this to the end. Let’s see whether Mosey Mansion has deeper pockets—or whether my methods are more ruthless.”

Without hesitation, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.

After several rings, the call connected.

A deep, steady middle-aged voice came through. “Natasha? Why are you calling so early? Have you run into trouble?”

The man was her second maternal uncle—Jayceon Ballard, one of the core pillars of the Ballard family, a heavyweight figure in the business world and several special sectors.

“Second Uncle,” Natasha said, skipping all pleasantries, her tone grave. “Dash Corporation has been targeted. Overnight, several core clients and suppliers were pulled away, causing heavy losses. I suspect Dahlia from Mosey Mansion is behind it.”

“The Mosey family?” Jayceon’s voice immediately turned serious. “Dahlia? Are you certain?”

“I don’t have direct evidence yet,” Natasha replied calmly, “but I can’t think of anyone else with both the motive and the power.”

She quickly explained the situation, including her encounter with Dahlia the night before.

“Second Uncle, I need the family’s help. I didn’t want to trouble Grandpa, but this situation leaves me no choice.”

“Don’t worry,” Jayceon said firmly. “Your second uncle has your back. The Ballard family may not be as powerful as the Moseys, but we’re no pushovers either. If it really comes to a head, we won’t necessarily lose.”

“I’ll mobilize funds and connections immediately. I’ll also inform the old man and have him apply pressure on the Mu family. You just hold your position, investigate thoroughly, and be ready to strike back at any time.”

Hearing his unwavering support, Natasha finally felt a weight lift from her chest. The gloom and pressure that had been suffocating her since last night dissipated slightly.

“Thank you, Second Uncle,” she said decisively. “I know what to do.”

After hanging up, Natasha straightened her posture. The exhaustion in her eyes faded, replaced by sharp focus and burning resolve.

She pressed the intercom button.

“Notify all department heads,” she ordered coolly. “Emergency meeting in thirty minutes. Also, compile everything we have on Mosey Mansion’s business network—especially competitors, internal conflicts, and potential weaknesses. I want it on my desk.”

“Yes, President!”

A business war—fought without gunfire, yet just as brutal—had officially begun with the coming dawn.

Meanwhile, inside a lavish villa.

Florence was in high spirits, eating breakfast while watching a tablet propped up on the table. On the screen played one of the hottest short dramas of the moment—a wildly exaggerated romance about a domineering CEO falling in love with a divorced, menopausal woman with a child.

Ridiculous.

Over-the-top.

And yet, Florence was completely engrossed.

At that moment, Dahlia—still in her pajamas—slowly descended the stairs.

“Dahlia, come look!” Florence waved excitedly. “This drama is really addictive. The more you watch, the better it gets!”

Dahlia sat down beside her, picked up the stomach-soothing porridge, and took a slow sip.

“It’s all melodramatic nonsense,” she said indifferently. “What’s so interesting about it?”

Florence didn’t even look away from the screen.

Dahlia, however, had barely slept all night.

No matter how much she tried, her thoughts kept drifting back to that familiar figure.

She had believed time would dull the feelings.

But seeing him again last night had shattered that illusion completely.

She hadn’t moved on at all.

Beep—beep—beep.

Her phone rang.

Dahlia frowned slightly as she answered.

After listening in silence for a long moment, she nodded.

“Alright, I understand. Don’t act rashly for now. I’ll get back to you after I investigate.”

She ended the call.

“What happened?” Florence asked casually, still watching the drama.

“There’s an issue at the company,” Dahlia replied calmly. “I need to handle it. Take your time eating.”

She didn’t elaborate.

After saying that, she returned upstairs to change.

The call had been from her secretary.

Dash Corporation had begun applying pressure—and the Ballard family was behind it.

Dahlia’s eyes darkened slightly.

Though she and Natasha didn’t get along, they had always kept their distance.

This sudden, aggressive move felt… off.

Was it jealousy?

Because of Dustin?

That didn’t quite fit Natasha’s character.

No—this required a deeper investigation.

And until she uncovered the truth, Dahlia knew one thing for certain—

This storm was far from over.