An Understated Dominance (FULL ENGLISH TRANSLATION)

Chapter 1141 The Showdown

Nakamura was encircled by a multitude of skilled ninja, forming a formidable force that would pose a considerable challenge even to the most elite assassins among the General’s fighters. While Dustin possessed considerable strength, he couldn’t dispatch them all in an instant.
“Enough talking! If you want to ensure your daughter’s safety, move quickly and assist!” Dustin pressed.

“I’ll assist you!” Lily acted first, darting forward to begin the process of unwinding the ropes. The Dragon-Binding Rope was tightly wound, impervious to brute force; they had to meticulously unThompsonle it.

“One…”

At this moment, Nakamura’s final countdown fell, and he grinned maliciously. “Since you won’t drop your weapons, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

With that, he raised his sword and struck directly at Shiela’s arm.

“Stop!”

Caden roared, fighting through the pain to rush forward, but he was quickly stopped by the ninja from the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix.

“Whoosh!”

In this critical moment, a silver needle shot out, accurately striking Nakamura’s sword.

“Clang!”

The sound of metal clashing echoed.

Nakamura’s sword was knocked from his grasp and flew through the air, spinning before crashing to the ground, producing a burst of sparks.

“Who’s there?!” Nakamura was both surprised and furious, quickly retreating behind Shiela. Simultaneously, he waved his hand, instructing the ninja to stand in front of him to prevent any sneak attacks.

“It’s you!” Nakamura stuck half of his head out from behind Shiela’s shoulder, smiling. “Mr. Dustin, the Murray family is wishing to kill you in various ways, and yet you still want to help them? Is it worth it? If you join our Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix, I guarantee wealth, honor, and endless enjoyment for you!”

“I’m not assisting the Murray family. I’m doing this solely because I can’t tolerate you,” Dustin retorted candidly. “You mongrels from the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix dared to act recklessly on Dragonmarsh’s territory. When I see one, I’ll kill one.”

“So, does that mean there’s no room for negotiation between us?” Nakamura’s expression darkened.

“In your present condition, you have no leverage for negotiations,” Dustin retorted.

With that, Dustin swiftly unraveled the Dragon-binding Rope and stowed it away. This valuable item was scarce and could prove useful later.

“Hold on! I still have a hostage! If you take one step closer, I’ll snap her neck!” Nakamura reached out, clutching Shiela’s throat and shouting frantically.

“Nakamura! Please, stop! Don’t harm my daughter!” Caden cried out.

“Dustin, heed him! If anything befalls Shiela, your life will be the price!” Vivian’s group chanted in unison.

“Whoosh!”

In that instant, a silver needle suddenly streaked through the air, whizzing past Shiela’s ear and, with calculated precision, striking Nakamura squarely in the forehead.

Nakamura shivered all over, his face contorting in terror.

In the next second, his head exploded with a resounding “bang,” resembling a bursting watermelon.






Chapter 1142 Clash of Titans


As they watched the decapitated body of Nakamura, the scene suddenly fell silent.

Caden shouts came to an abrupt halt.

Vivian, Chase, and their group were also left dumbfounded.

Everything happened so suddenly that they were all a bit slow to react.

Nakamura had hostages and a large number of skilled ninja protecting him.

In this situation, it was astonishing that Dustin could still achieve a one-hit kill!

“Thud!”

Nakamura’s headless body crashed to the ground.

Shiela, looking bewildered, was grabbed by the shoulder by Dustin and thrown out of the encirclement, landing in the Murrays, thus averting the crisis.

“Nakamura!”

Seeing his grandson’s lifeless body, Yamamoto’s face contorted, and he erupted in rage: “You dare to kill my grandson? I’ll tear you to pieces! Kill him, kill him, kill him—kill him for me!”

As he gave the order, a large number of ninja experts immediately swarmed forward.

All kinds of hidden weapons, poisoned darts, and throwing knives were continuously launched.

A dense barrage, like a torrential downpour, made it impossible to defend against.

While the projectiles were flying, the ninja displayed their skills; some leaped high into the air, leaving behind iron wire nets, while others emerged from underground for a surprise attack.

For a moment, Dustin felt like a target of multiple attacks, and he was surrounded by an overwhelming onslaught.

“Quick, go support him! Wipe out the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix ninja!” General Murray immediately issued the order.

The elite assassin team cultivated by the General’s fighters didn’t hold back either and rushed into battle.

Soon, another melee erupted.

However, this time, the situation was completely different.

The General’s assassin team was already formidable, and with Dustin’s assistance, they were like tigers with wings. In no time, they routed the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix ninjas.

“Well done!”

Seeing this, everyone was invigorated and excited.

“Damn it!”

Yamamoto cursed angrily, unable to hold back any longer. He stomped his wooden clogs and turned into a blur, charging straight into the battlefield.

With consecutive strikes of his palms as fast as lightning, each strike killed one of the black-clad assassins.

“Outrageous!”

General Murray was furious, about to join the fray when his body suddenly shivered, and he spewed out another mouthful of blood, nearly collapsing.

His injuries were too severe, and now he had no strength left to continue fighting.

“Uh-oh! If we keep going like this, we might lose!” Lily exclaimed, her face tense.

Yamamoto had completely turned the tide.

“Yamamoto is a Sword Saint” (Sword Master) of the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix, and his strength is overwhelmingly powerful. Now that Father is seriously injured, no one can stop him. We can only temporarily withdraw from the battlefield,” Caden said with a solemn expression.

“Temporarily withdraw? Are you saying… we should abandon the General’s Mansion?” Lily furrowed her brow.

“Keeping us alive is important; we will have a chance to regroup. We can have a chance to comeback if we preserve our lives first,” Caden replied.

“You’re right, but how can we leave? Father won’t agree to be a fleeing soldier,” Lily shook her head.

“I don’t care what means you use, even if you have to knock him unconscious, you must take Father away quietly,” Caden insisted.

He was well aware that as long as his father was safe, the General’s Mansion could be rebuilt quickly.

“Alright, I’ll try,” Lily nodded, reluctantly agreeing.

“Wait! If we leave, what about Dustin and the others?” Shiela suddenly spoke up.

At this moment, on the battlefield ahead, Dustin and his group were fighting desperately, and the situation was dire.

“We don’t have time to think about that now. Dustin just saved me, and I can’t leave him to fend for himself!” Shiela said, her brows furrowing.

“Silly girl!” Caden was frantic. “People must look out for themselves. We’re all in danger now. If we don’t leave soon, we won’t be able to escape!”

“No! I can’t leave!” Shiela shook her head. “Dustin just saved me, and I can’t abandon him to escape alone!”

“Stubborn!” Caden was growing anxious. “Dustin and the others can’t hold out much longer. If we don’t leave now, we’ll be trapped soon!”




Chapter 1143 The Ultimate Duel



With that, he grabbed Shiela’s wrist and forcefully pulled her away.

“No! I won’t go! Let go of me!” Shiela began to struggle frantically.

She already owed Dustin once and didn’t want to owe him again. Otherwise, she’d never find peace in her life.

“Shiela, your dad is right. Time is running out, we need to go quickly!”

“Yes, Shiela! Lives are at stake; don’t be stubborn!”

“Even if Dustin dies, as long as we survive, it’s an honor for him to sacrifice for the General!”

At this moment, Chase and Vivian, along with others, also tried to persuade her.

If they could use Dustin’s life to ensure their safety, it would be a tremendous advantage.

“You can leave if you want, but I won’t!” Shiela remained stubborn and refused to listen.

“Stubborn girl!”

Caden was infuriated, and he slapped his daughter, scolding her, “You can’t be hard-headed now! You must listen to me today! Get someone to drag her away!”

Shiela was dazed, her face in her hands, feeling bewildered.

Chase and Vivian exchanged glances and then both grabbed Shiela’s arms, forcibly pulling her outside.

Meanwhile, on a battlefield-turned-ruins:

Both sides continued to battle, and both suffered heavy casualties.

Bodies fell one by one, and the battle was intense.

“Step aside, all of you! You’re no match for him; let me deal with him!”

Seeing the General’s assassin team fighting so fiercely and courageously, Dustin couldn’t help but feel moved and quickly shouted.

Even though the General’s fighters were innate experts, they were powerless against Yamamoto, a martial arts master. But due to the melee, Dustin couldn’t unleash his full power, or else he might accidentally kill them.

So, he had them disperse to avoid unintended casualties.

“You all step back too! I want to kill this kid with my own hands!”

Yamamoto waved his hand, and the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix ninjas scattered.

Soon, the chaotic battle turned into a duel between the two.

“Has Dustin gone mad? He’s challenging Yamamoto one-on-one? Does he want to die faster?”

Vivian looked back with a puzzled expression.

“Hmph! He’s utterly overestimating himself! Yamamoto is one of the top ten Sword Saints of the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix, and his strength is unmatched. Dustin challenging Yamamoto is like a moth flying into the flames!”

Chase shook his head, showing a look of disdain.

“This kid is really foolish! During the melee, Yamamoto was holding back, and now, without any restraints, he’s even more dangerous. He probably won’t last a single move!” Caden said, clearly frustrated.

They could have bought more time, but Dustin insisted on acting like a hero.

Once he was killed, their chances of escaping would diminish significantly.

“You fool! You killed my grandson and ruined my plans. Today, I’ll skin you alive!”

Yamamoto slowly drew his katana from his waist, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Even though his opponent was much younger, he wouldn’t show any mercy.

“I’ll send you to hell!”

Yamamoto shouted angrily, stomped his wooden clogs, and rushed forward, raising his katana high and swinging it fiercely toward Dustin’s head.

Even before the blade reached him, the sharp sword aura had already torn the ground apart, leaving a deep mark.

“It’s over… This kid is finished.”

Seeing this, everyone shook their heads in pity.

Yamamoto’s full-powered strike was something very few could withstand.

“Sky Sword!”

Dustin extended his hand with a wave.

“Boom!”

Suddenly, a black ancient sword shot out from the ruins like a black lightning bolt, piercing straight through Yamamoto’s chest.







Chapter 1144 Shocking Turn of Events


Whoosh!

The Sovereign Sky Sword transformed into a black lightning bolt, after piercing through Yamamoto’s chest, it returned to Dustin’s hand.

Blood slowly flowed down the blade, gathering at the tip before dripping onto the ground, creating tiny blood splatters.

Thunk!

Yamamoto’s body trembled, and he dropped from the sky, his knees hitting the ground heavily.

He remained motionless in a kneeling position.

The entire scene fell into sudden silence.

All sound seemed to vanish, and you could hear a pin drop.

Whether it was the General’s figthers, the guests, or the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix ninjas, everyone stood there in stunned silence.

Their faces were marked with shock.

They couldn’t believe it. Yamamoto, the formidable Sword Saint of the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix, had been impaled by a single strike from Dustin.

The entire process happened so suddenly, without any warning, that no one had reacted in time.

They only saw a black lightning bolt flash, and then the mighty Yamamoto knelt down.

“Eh…”

Yamamoto lowered his head, his face filled with disbelief.

At this moment, he had a massive hole in his chest, and he could even see the scenery behind him through that hole, including the shocked face of General Murray.

This perspective was strange and somewhat eerie.

“Why? Why can you… hurt me?” Yamamoto forced out these words with a raspy voice.

General Murray was severely injured and had lost his combat strength. Normally, he should have been invincible here.

He never expected such a turn of events.

“Why? Go ask the King of Hell…”

Dustin didn’t waste any words. He walked forward and raised his hand, swiftly beheading Yamamoto.

Thunk!

When Yamamoto’s head fell, everyone finally woke up from their daze, and the scene erupted with unprecedented shock.

“Dead… He’s dead? Am I seeing this right? This kid actually killed Yamamoto?!”

“Oh my god! This is the Sword Saint of the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix, a top-tier martial arts master, and he was just killed with a single strike! Isn’t this too unbelievable?!”

“What’s this kid’s background? How can he be this terrifying? He’s like a monster!”

“A single strike to kill the Sword Saint of the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix? Is this guy even human? When did our provincial city produce such a freak?!”

After a brief moment of silence, the entire scene exploded with astonishment.

The looks directed at Dustin were like he was a monster, filled with shock and disbelief.

They had thought that disaster was imminent for the General’s family today, and they had even prepared to make a run for it.

But in the end, at the critical moment, Dustin had actually turned the tide and killed Yamamoto with a single strike.

Now, they were at a loss, especially Chase and Vivian’s group, who were having a hard time accepting this.

They couldn’t comprehend how Dustin could be this powerful.

Wasn’t he just a lowly insurance salesman?

Wasn’t he a nobody without any background?

Why? Why could he defeat the Sword Saint of the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix?

Could it be that Dustin had been hiding his true abilities all along?

Had they only seen the surface, just a disguise?

If that were the case, the consequences would be quite severe.

A person who could kill the Sword Saint of the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix with a single strike would be respected and revered everywhere they went, no matter where they were.





Chapter 1145 Victory and Acknowledgment

Even the various official institutions had to treat him with the utmost respect. Without exaggeration, given Dustin’s age and the strength he had displayed, he could easily stand shoulder to shoulder with the old general in the future. Such a young prodigy was someone they would need to look up to for their entire lives.

The biggest problem was that they had previously shown contempt and disdain for Dustin, even resorting to harsh words. If he were to seek revenge, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Thinking about this, Chase, Vivian, and their group felt a shiver down their spines and deep regret. On one hand, they regretted offending Dustin, and on the other hand, they regretted their own foolishness for not recognizing the treasure sooner.

If they had built a good relationship with Dustin in advance, rising to success in the future would have been effortless.

“Well done, young man. You hid your abilities so well that I didn’t see through it at all,” General Murray sighed in relief after the shock had passed. Although the General’s fighters had a strong foundation, it couldn’t withstand this continuous onslaught. Fortunately, Dustin had turned the tide; otherwise, the General’s mansion might have become a river of blood.

“We won… Bro Dustinin won! We don’t need to escape!” Shiela cheered with tears of joy. However, Caden wore a somewhat complicated expression, torn between happiness and worry. While it was worth celebrating that the General’s household had survived, Dustin’s outstanding performance and their past conflicts left him unsure of how to face the situation.

“Kill all the remnants of the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix, leave no one alive!” After slaying Yamamoto, Dustin didn’t stop. He swung the Sky Sword and, with the General’s personnel, began to massacre the Kingdom of the Golden Phoenix’s ninjas. Without Yamamoto, these ninjas were defenseless and were quickly slaughtered, crumbling like a house of cards.

This deadly game that had been set up for five years ultimately ended in the General’s tragic victory. Although they eliminated the invaders, the General’s family had suffered significant losses. They had not only expended a considerable amount of elite strength but also affected many guests, who were all part of the General’s network, spanning various industries. With such losses, it would take several years to fully recover.

The only thing worth celebrating was that General Murray emerged unscathed. As long as he lived, the General’s Mansion would not fall and would eventually regain its former glory; it was only a matter of time.

After the battle ended, the official forces from the provincial city began to arrive. Numerous soldiers swarmed in to escort and clean up the scene.

It was only at this point that the suspended hearts of the people finally fell.

“Young man, thanks to you this time, or else this old life of mine would have been in jeopardy,” General Murray approached Dustin and expressed his gratitude.

“General, no need to be so polite. It was just a small effort,” Dustin replied with a slight smile, not wanting to take too much credit. After all, he still owed General Murray a favor for the Seven-Colored Spirit Mushroom matter, and he considered it even now.

“I really couldn’t tell. I didn’t expect you to be this powerful. You’re no less impressive than your mother back in the day,” General Murray said with satisfaction.

“General, you’re too kind,” Dustin replied humbly before taking out a pill and handing it over. “This is a Gemiphen I refined, and it works wonders for treating internal injuries. General, you can give it a try.”

“Oh? Is that so?” General Murray was curious. After inspecting the pill, he swallowed it without hesitation. In no time, he wore an astonished expression and praised, “Indeed, it’s a miraculous elixir! The meridians I had just blocked and the stagnant internal energy (energy) and blood are now all unobstructed. It’s truly amazing!”

“I didn’t expect you to be not only extraordinary in martial arts but also a master in alchemy and medicine. You truly excel in both literary and martial arts!” General Murray chuckled. “If only a talented young man like you could become my grandson-in-law.”

With this remark, Shiela, who had just approached, blushed instantly.

Chapter 1146: Ordinary Friend

General Murray’s words were clearly intentional. On one hand, he genuinely admired Dustin. Being exceptional both in martial and scholarly pursuits with a bright future ahead and a good character, such a young prodigy was scarce in the entire Dragonmarsh. If Dustin could become his grandson-in-law, it would provide a safeguard for the General’s family in the future.

On the other hand, he had taken his granddaughter, Shiela, into consideration. She possessed a kind heart and a somewhat naive disposition, easily susceptible to deception, and in need of strong support and protection. Dustin undoubtedly appeared as the ideal choice. When the two of them were together, they seemed like a perfect match.

In the present moment, Shiela stood in silence behind them, not uttering a word. Her pretty face sported a faint flush, revealing a blend of shyness and eager anticipation. She was awaiting Dustin’s response, hoping to hear the answer she longed for.

“Thank you for your generous words, General, but someone like me, a commoner, is not deserving of Miss Shiela,” Dustin courteously declined.

“Young man, I am well aware of your background. There is no need for such formality. I will ask you directly: do you hold any affection for my granddaughter, Shiela?” General Murray inquired once more.

“General, Miss Shiela and I are simply regular friends, nothing more,” Dustin replied resolutely.

“Just ordinary friends?” General Murray raised his eyebrows. Why did those words sound somewhat awkward? Weren’t they treating each other like siblings before? Why did it suddenly become distant?

Upon hearing the phrase “just ordinary friends,” Shiela’s expression froze, her eyes reflecting disappointment.

“Young man, would you not reconsider?” General Murray seemed somewhat reluctant.

He was willing to go to great lengths to ensure his granddaughter’s happiness.

“General, trying to force something won’t make it genuine. Let’s simply set aside the matter,” Dustin firmly shook his head, his gaze resolute.
“Sigh… Very well, I won’t interfere in the affairs of you young people,” General Murray finally relented.

“Dustin, Bro Dustin…”

Unable to contain her emotions, Shiela called out.

“Yes?” Dustin turned to look at her with a hint of confusion. “Miss Shiela, is there something else?”

“Bro Dustin, I misunderstood you before. I’m truly sorry, and I sincerely apologize to you,” Shiela said, her face filled with guilt as she bowed deeply while speaking.

“Miss Shiela, you haven’t done anything wrong, and I’ve never blamed you. There’s no need to apologize,” Dustin shook his head, feeling no resentment.

Some things were not about right or wrong; it was purely a matter of trust. Shiela had made her choice, and he had no complaints.

“Bro Dustin, can we still meet in the future?” Shiela held onto her clothes, feeling nervous and hopeful.

“If fate allows, we will meet again. Farewell,” Dustin replied with a faint smile and walked out of the General’s Mansion.

“Bro Dustin…”

Watching his departing figure, Shiela felt a deep sense of emptiness in her heart, as if something important was slowly slipping away.

“Girl, what exactly happened between you two?” General Murray couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“I…” Shiela hesitated for a moment and eventually recounted the whole story briefly.

Listening to this exchange, General Murray couldn’t help but feel exasperated. “Child, how could you be so easily misled? Can’t you differentiate between truth and falsehood? You accepted those unfounded accusations without any doubt and slandered someone who was genuinely trying to assist you. You… you… you truly infuriate me!”

“Grandfather, I acknowledge my mistake. Is there anything I can do to make amends?” Shiela asked softly.




Chapter 1147: Goodbye Friend and Hello Trouble

“Ahh…”

General Murray sighed deeply. “The more exceptional a person, the more likely they are to be proud. Rebuilding trust can be an uphill battle. You’ve already made your choice regarding your friends, and even if he doesn’t hold it against you, things won’t go back to the way they were.”

“What should I do then?” Shiela started to feel anxious.

“Let it be. Time has the power to mend even the deepest wounds. Perhaps, in the future, you’ll have an opportunity to cross paths again,” General Murray said, shaking his head.

Despite his words, he knew deep down that certain things couldn’t be repaired. Once a rift had formed in a relationship, no matter how hard you tried to mend it, that divide would persist.

…

After leaving the General’s Mansion, Dustin drove back to the Zypher Lodge.

As soon as he entered the Lodge’s gate, he saw Cornelius running towards him in a fluster.

Cornelius was sweating profusely as he ran, and he called out urgently, “Master Dustin! Something terrible has occurred! It’s a major issue!”

“Hmm?” Dustin furrowed his brows at the news. “Why are you so worked up? Please, provide me with all the details.”

“It’s… it’s about The Goddess of War!” Cornelius said, gasping for breath.

“What’s the matter with her? You’ve encountered her before, haven’t you? Why are you so agitated?” Dustin raised an eyebrow, initially thinking it was a minor concern.

After going through numerous trials and tribulations, it was difficult for him to become overly concerned about such matters.

“Also… also…” Cornelius stuttered, “It’s not just The Goddess of War. Miss Natasha is here too, and they’ve already met!”

“What?” Dustin was taken aback, his composure wavering. “Why didn’t you mention that earlier?”

“I… I just did,” Cornelius replied, looking somewhat puzzled.

Moments ago, Dustin had appeared confident and resolute in his speech, but now he found himself feeling somewhat flustered.

“What’s the current situation? Are they in conflict with each other?” Dustin asked urgently.

He knew Scarlet had a fiery temper, and that worried him. She wouldn’t hesitate to engage in a physical altercation if provoked.

“They haven’t come to blows, but they’re definitely not getting along,” Cornelius replied, his anxiety evident in his voice.

“Where are they now?” Dustin inquired again.

“They’re in the reception hall,” Cornelius replied truthfully.

“Let’s go! Follow me to see them!” Dustin said urgently.

Cornelius had no choice but to follow him.

In the reception hall.

Natasha sat in the main seat, leisurely sipping tea.

Scarlet sat in the secondary seat, engrossed in reading a military strategy book.

Members of the Kirin Gang’s high-ranking executives stood on both sides, not daring to make a sound, creating an oppressive atmosphere in the hall.

“Miss Scarlet, may I ask how long you’ve known Dustin?” Natasha was the first to break the silence.

“I’ve known him since childhood,” Scarlet replied indifferently.

“Oh? So, you and Dustin are childhood sweethearts?” Natasha raised an eyebrow.

“Not only that, but we also have an engagement,” Scarlet said calmly.

“An engagement? Heh… in this day and age, is that still meaningful?” Natasha chuckled.

“Our families have been friends for generations, and there’s a longstanding marriage arrangement between us. Doesn’t that hold any meaning?” Scarlet retorted with a touch of frost in her voice.

“Is it meaningful to you, or is it meaningful to Dustin?” Natasha countered with a sly smile.

“How can you be so sure Dustin won’t agree to it?” Scarlet challenged.

“Because I’m Dustin’s woman,” Natasha declared proudly.

“What? You’re not even close to being worthy of him,” Scarlet shook her head.

“Whether I’m worthy or not isn’t something you get to decide,” Natasha replied with a self-assured smirk.

“I warn you, stay away from him, or I’ll kill you,” Scarlet said coldly.

“Oh, really? I find that hard to believe.”

As Natasha spoke, a longsword named Vortexstrike was suddenly pressed against her throat.







Chapter 1148: Just joking

“You say that again?”

Scarlet’s expression turned icy as she held her sword with one hand, its tip pressed against Natasha’s throat. With a slight forward movement, she could end Natasha’s life in an instant.

Natasha, seeing the sharp blade so close to her neck, couldn’t help but furrow her brows. She hadn’t expected Scarlet to be so impulsive, drawing her sword at the slightest provocation. It was clear that this wasn’t a mere threat; another provocative word could result in her demise.

It seemed that she had encountered a formidable opponent.

“Stop!”

Just as they were locked in a standoff, Dustin suddenly rushed in.

“Dustin, you’re here?” Upon seeing him, Scarlet immediately sheathed her sword, her previous coldness replaced by a friendly smile, like that of a neighbor’s little sister.

“Scarlet, what were you doing just now?” Dustin frowned, showing some displeasure.

“It’s nothing, I was just joking with Miss Natasha,” Scarlet replied with a smile.

“Joking?” Dustin turned his gaze to Natasha and asked in a soft voice, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I was just a bit bored, so I wanted to see Miss Scarlet’s sword. She simply handed it to me,” Natasha smiled.

These words surprised Scarlet. She had thought that Natasha might report the incident, but unexpectedly, she had come to her rescue.

“It’s good that nothing happened. Swords and blades have no eyes. Be careful in the future. I don’t want any harm to come to either of you. Do you understand?” Dustin’s gaze, as he said the last three words, shifted to Scarlet, carrying a hint of warning.

“Okay, I understand,” Scarlet lowered her head like a scolded student.

If anyone else saw this, they would probably be shocked. After all, who in the Dragonmarsh would dare to reprimand The Goddess of War in this manner?

“Dustin, come with me for a moment,” Natasha suddenly put on a professional fake smile and then walked out of the reception hall.

Dustin’s eyelids twitched, feeling a sense of unease for no apparent reason. But there was no avoiding this, so he followed her reluctantly.

The two of them walked to a secluded spot, and Natasha suddenly stopped and turned around. Her smile grew even brighter.

However, the more she smiled, the more Dustin felt uneasy, sensing a hidden agenda behind her words.

“Natasha, what do you want to ask? Just ask, I have nothing to hide,” Dustin said nervously.

Natasha chuckled, giving Dustin’s shoulder a friendly pat. “No need to be jumpy; I’m not about to devour you,” she reassured him, flashing a warm smile. “So spill the beans. Who’s this Miss Scarlet? She sounds like quite the character.”

Dustin leaned in, sharing the scoop. “Well, Scarlet’s actually part of the Spanner clan over in Stonia, and folks call her the ‘Goddess of War’ in Dragonmarsh.”

Natasha’s eyes widened in surprise. “Scarlet? The Goddess of War?” She was genuinely taken aback. “I never saw that coming.”

She’d definitely heard of the Goddess of War before. Scarlet was Stonia’s pride and joy, a standout among the younger generation, holding an enviable position at the apex of the Dragonmarsh hierarchy.

Natasha’s curiosity was piqued even further. “What’s the deal between you two? Why did she come looking for you?” She had always known Dustin was something special, but a connection to someone like Scarlet had taken her by surprise.

Dustin sighed, revealing the family tie. “She’s my sister. She still sees me through the lens of our childhood, and change doesn’t come easy for her. But I’m hopeful that over time, she’ll come to see things as they truly are.”

Natasha’s tone took on a hint of jealousy. “So, you two really were childhood sweethearts?” She pressed further, a touch of bitterness in her voice. “And that engagement she mentioned, is that for real?”

“What engagement? It’s just a childhood pact; it’s not something serious,” Dustin shook his head, emphasizing the lack of real commitment. “The ties between our families have faded since my mother passed away, and I genuinely see her as nothing more than a sister. There’s no romantic spark there.”

Natasha, with a tinge of jealousy, remarked, “Sister? But it seems like she doesn’t quite share that sibling sentiment. She’s stunning; can you really resist her allure?”

Dustin’s response was heartfelt. “Even if she’s beautiful, she can’t hold a candle to you.”

A pleased grin spread across Natasha’s face. “Well, I didn’t expect you, the unflappable man, to be such a charmer.”

“I’m just speaking the truth,” Dustin affirmed.

Natasha’s grin widened. “Haha, okay, you passed the test,” she declared, her mood lightening. “I won’t blame you for whatever went down with Scarlet, but be cautious. That girl seems to lean heavily on you. Mishandle it, and things could go south.”

While Natasha had never met Scarlet in person, she knew of her reputation. Scarlet was renowned as a ruthless and unforgiving female warlord who wouldn’t hesitate to take lives. Since her rise to fame, she’d been a lone wolf, showing no favoritism, not even to the royal family.

Yet, today, in Dustin’s presence, Scarlet had acted more like a fangirl. She not only cooperated without hesitation but also showed hints of nervousness and fear, as if she dreaded disappointing Dustin.

Being a woman herself, Natasha could sense that Scarlet was deeply infatuated with Dustin, perhaps to an obsessive extent. People with naturally reserved and unemotional dispositions often became completely consumed by love when it struck. If Dustin were to inadvertently hurt her, it could push her over the edge.

“She’s like a sister to me, and it’s going to remain that way. It might take some time for her to accept the reality,” Dustin stated plainly.

Natasha nodded thoughtfully. “I hope so too.”

“Hey there, Bro Dustin, are you guys done with your chat?” Scarlet’s voice echoed from a distance. She had been waiting patiently in the reception hall for quite some time and couldn’t resist coming out.

Dustin turned to her, concerned. “What’s up?”

“I’m starving,” Scarlet admitted, patting her empty stomach.

“Well, since Miss Scarlet here is hungry, how about we head out for a bite to eat? There’s a new restaurant in town, and it’s the perfect chance to give it a try,” Natasha suggested with a cheerful grin.

“Sounds like a plan. Let’s go grab a meal,” Dustin agreed, then called the others to join in. They all hopped into their cars and left the Lodge in search of some good food.

However, as soon as they left the Zypher Lodge, two business cars secretly followed them.








Chapter 1149: VIPs

Half an hour later, at the entrance of Celestial Heights Restaurant.

Two luxury cars slowly came to a stop, and the doors opened, with Dustin and his group getting out one after another.

Celestial Heights Restaurant was a newly opened high-end restaurant known for its excellent ambiance, service, and food. It had gained a good reputation, attracting many dignitaries and celebrities.

Due to their prior reservation, Dustin and his group were quickly escorted to the second floor by a high-level female server.

The second floor was the VIP area, with regular VIP guests seated in the main hall, separated by screens between the tables. For even higher-ranking VIPs, there were private rooms available, providing a more exclusive environment and service.

“Miss Harmon, please follow me,” a high-level female server in white led them with a smile. Eventually, they arrived at the entrance of Room No. 3.

Just as they were about to enter the restaurant, a woman in a sharp black professional suit suddenly blocked their path. Pinned to her chest was a badge that read “Assistant Manager.”

“Hold on! This room is already occupied. Please find another available room for our guests,” the female assistant manager declared.

“Evelyn, are you sure you’ve got this right? Room No. 3 was reserved ahead of time for these guests,” the server in a crisp white uniform questioned, puzzled by the situation.

“We’ve got a bit of a situation here. Some VIPs are on their way, and they specifically requested Room No. 3. It needs to be vacated immediately!” The female assistant manager’s tone was firm and no-nonsense.

“Evelyn, isn’t this against the rules? The guests have already made a reservation, and changing rooms at the last minute is not a good explanation,” the white-clad female server said hesitantly. “Besides, all four of the Platinum rooms are already occupied, and there are no rooms left.”

“If there are no Platinum rooms available, can’t you just give them a Diamond room? Why all the fuss?” The female assistant manager sounded noticeably impatient, her words barely above a whisper.

Dustin, with his keen hearing, caught every word.

“Evelyn, you know the Diamond rooms are a far cry from the Platinum ones. The guests probably won’t accept that,” the white-clad server replied in hushed tones. “Besides, they’ve paid for a Platinum room; it wouldn’t be fair to offer them a Diamond one.”

“Enough of this! Let me handle it,” the female assistant manager declared with a tight-lipped expression before approaching Dustin and his group, putting on a forced smile. “Dear guests, there was a little hiccup on our end. Room No. 3, the Platinum room, is temporarily unavailable. Would you mind moving to the other side? We have several Diamond rooms available for your selection.”

“Half an hour ago, we had already made a reservation, and now you say it’s unavailable. Isn’t it a bit too late for that?” Dustin said calmly.

Dustin could understand if there were valid reasons for the change, but it was becoming evident that they were being treated unfairly. Both parties were paying customers, so why the unequal treatment?

“This gentleman, our restaurant has its policies. I hope you won’t create any complications,” the female assistant manager insisted with a strained smile.

Dustin arched an eyebrow. “Am I the one creating complications, or is it you who plans to give away our reserved room to someone else?” He spoke with a hint of skepticism. “If I heard correctly just now, that’s your intention, isn’t it?”

The female assistant manager frowned, momentarily taken aback, but quickly composed herself. “Well, since you’ve overheard, let me clarify. We’ve had some high-profile guests arrive at Celestial Heights Restaurant, and they specifically requested Room No. 3. I hope you can understand, and we’ll make sure everything is satisfactory.”

“Understand?”





Chapter 1150: Not So VIPs

Dustin found the situation somewhat amusing. “Is this the level of service that Celestial Heights Restaurant prides itself on? You’re asking us to change rooms for no apparent reason, and you can’t even extend a bit of courtesy? What’s the intention here? Are you trying to mistreat your customers?”

Being asked to switch rooms without a valid explanation made it difficult for them to enjoy their meal.

The assistant manager’s impatience was starting to show. “Sir, what exactly do you want? Are you looking for compensation? Fine, if you agree to change rooms, I’ll personally arrange a fruit platter as a goodwill gesture. Will that satisfy you?” She said this with a look of disdain on her face.

Dustin responded with a frigid tone, “Firstly, I have no interest in any compensation, and secondly, are you offering us a fruit platter as a way to make amends? Do you take us for beggars?” In a restaurant, customer service was paramount, and this woman’s treatment was far from acceptable.

“Sir, I suggest you refrain from causing any trouble. Our restaurant has its policies, and if you’re unhappy with them, you’re free to leave. I won’t force you to stay!” The assistant manager’s irritation was clearly on display.

With business thriving at the restaurant, losing a few customers wouldn’t make much of a dent.

Dustin couldn’t help but mock the situation. “Really? You’re ready to kick us out over a few words? Celestial Heights Restaurant certainly doesn’t mince words!” He continued speaking as he brushed past the assistant manager, entered Room No. 3, and took a seat. “I’m dining here today, and let’s see who can actually make me leave!”

“You… You’re just causing trouble for no reason!” The assistant manager was now seething with anger. “You’re not welcome here. I’m warning you; leave immediately, or I’ll call security!”

“Go ahead and call them. I’d love to see how this situation unfolds. How do you plan to manage your establishment then?” Dustin calmly poured himself a cup of tea.

“You disgrace! You have no shame! Get out of here right now!” The assistant manager was beside herself. “People like you aren’t welcome here.”

“This gentleman, do you want to reconsider your decision?” she added with a sly smile.

Dustin’s eyes narrowed, and he spoke with firm resolve. “Let me make one thing clear: I won’t leave of my own accord. If you want me gone, you’ll have to use force.”

Before the assistant manager could react, a sharp, resounding slap echoed through the room.

“Smack!”

Natasha had delivered a powerful slap to the assistant manager’s face, leaving her momentarily stunned and clutching her stinging cheek.

With a cold and commanding demeanor, Natasha continued, “Do you think you’re something special? How dare you act with such arrogance here?” Her presence exuded a queen-like authority, imposing and unyielding.

“You… How could you even think of hitting me?” The assistant manager’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Her boyfriend held the reins at Celestial Heights Restaurant, a man of wealth and influence with connections among high-ranking officials. In these restaurant walls, no one dared to show her disrespect.

And now, this woman had not only disrespected her but actually struck her?

It was absolutely outrageous!

“What’s the issue? You got a problem with that?” Natasha responded unapologetically.

“You… You all just wait! I’ll make sure you pay for this!” The assistant manager issued her threat as she began to turn and depart.

However, Scarlet suddenly reached out and grabbed her by the throat, effortlessly lifting her off the ground. She asked Dustin with a serious expression, “Big Bro Dustin, do you want me to kill her?

Chapter 1151 Platinum Room Reservation

“Uh…”

The female assistant manager felt her breath catch, and her feet were suddenly suspended in the air, her face turning beet red.

A wave of deathly fear spread through her heart.

She never expected that this seemingly silent old lady would have such incredible strength, effortlessly lifting her with a single hand.

She had no doubt that if the lady exerted even a little more force, her neck would snap.

“Well, killing you would be a bit extreme. A couple of slaps as a lesson should do.” Dustin spoke up.

“Alright.”

Scarlet nodded and followed with two resounding slaps, leaving the assistant manager dizzy, teeth scattered, and nose bleeding profusely.

After the beating, she was tossed aside as if she were trash and unceremoniously thrown out of the room.

“Cough… cough…”

The assistant manager coughed violently, her face swollen beyond recognition. It took her a while to recover.

“You… you’ve gone too far. I won’t let this slide!”

The assistant manager’s face contorted with rage as she spoke and then rushed downstairs.

However, as soon as she reached the staircase, she collided with a group of people, tumbling head over heels with cries of pain.

“Who the heck? Who’s so blind to…”

The assistant manager was about to unleash a string of curses when she saw the newcomers, and she froze instantly, hastily replacing her scowl with a fawning smile. “Miss Dahlia, Madam Dustin, you’re here?”

The newcomers were none other than her esteemed guests.

Leading the group was none other than Dahlia!

Beside her were Florence, Julie, and Aunt Victoria, among others.

“What’s wrong with you? Do you have eyes on your backside? Didn’t you see us coming in? My new designer shoes are covered in dirt because of you! How unlucky!”

Dustin launched into a tirade, pointing to the footprints on her shoes.

“Madam Florence, I’m so sorry, it wasn’t intentional. I’ll clean them for you right away.”

The assistant manager nodded profusely, kneeling down on the floor and using her own sleeve to meticulously wipe Florence’s shoes clean.

Her obsequious and humble demeanor was a stark contrast to her previous encounter with Dustin.

“Alright, alright, just stay away from me!” Florence said impatiently.

“Mia (the assistant manager), what happened to your face? Did someone hit you just now?” Julie unexpectedly interjected.

“Miss Julie, I just encountered some hooligans who tried to forcibly occupy the VIP room I had prepared for all of you. I stood my ground, and they resorted to violence. It’s truly despicable!” Assistant manager Mia replied indignantly.

“What? Someone dares to compete with us for a spot? Who has the audacity? Haven’t you told them about our status?” Florence said, looking displeased.

Their social status and position had changed dramatically over the years.

Even aristocrats showed them respect and deference.

“Madam Florence, I did tell them that you are honored guests and the most esteemed VIPs of our Celestial Heights Restaurant. However, these hooligans completely disregarded it and even threatened that if you dared to compete with them, they would attack all of you!” Mia began to stir the pot.

If these VIPs were willing to speak up for her, then the people in the Platinum Room No. 3 were in for a world of trouble.

“This is absolutely outrageous! They dare to lay a finger on us? I’d like to see who these audacious individuals are!” Florence fumed.

“Lead the way! Today, we’ll teach these ignorant people a lesson!” Julie was also furious.

“Alright, alright… please follow me.”

Mia nodded, then led the group to the entrance of Platinum Room No. 3. “Madam Florence, they are inside here.”

“Bang!”

Florence, full of anger, didn’t waste any time. She kicked the door wide open and walked in with her head held high. “Who was it that wanted to compete with us for a spot? Stand up if you have the guts!”

“It was me.”







Chapter 1152 BadDustinck!

Dustin slowly stood up, raising his head in the process. However, when he saw Florence and her group, he couldn’t help but pause for a moment.

It’s a small world indeed, and we didn’t even bump into each other over a meal.

“Bad luck!” Natasha instinctively furrowed her brow as she looked at Dahlia, “Scarlet, a formidable rival, still hasn’t been dealt with, and now Dahlia shows up.”

Is fate deliberately playing games with her?

“Dustin? Is that you?” Florence examined him closely, her expression turning solemn. “What are you doing here? You’re not deliberately following us, are you?”

“You’re overthinking it. We’re just here to eat,” Dustin replied nonchalantly.

“Eat? Hmph! Who knows if you’re telling the truth?” Florence raised an eyebrow suspiciously. “In my opinion, you know we’ve become successful, so you pretended to have a chance encounter and are looking for an opportunity to ingratiate yourself with us. I’ve encountered people like you before!”

“You’re absolutely right!” Julie nodded arrogantly. “Dustin, I warn you to stay away from us. Our status now is beyond your reach!”

“Your status has nothing to do with me. If you have no business here, please leave and don’t disturb our meal,” Dustin issued a direct eviction notice.

“Ugh! This room clearly belongs to Madam Florence and friends. You’re maliciously occupying it!” Mia accused with a stern tone.

“Did you hear that? This is the room we booked, and if anyone should leave, it’s you!” Florence declared haughtily. “Now, I command you to disappear from my sight immediately!”

“Leave!” Julie glared.

“First of all, the room was booked by us first, so there’s no malicious occupation. And secondly, who are you to command me?” Dustin questioned coldly. Since they had severed all ties, there was no need for politeness.

“How dare you!” Florence was about to explode but was halted by Dahlia, who raised her hand. She looked at Dustin and said calmly, “Dustin, I have an important guest to meet in this room. I hope you can vacate it. As a gesture of goodwill, I’ll cover your expenses today.”

Before Dustin could respond, Natasha stood up and smiled, saying, “Madam CEO Dahlia is indeed generous, but we don’t need it. Please, leave.”

“Hmm?” Dahlia furrowed her delicate brows and stared directly at Natasha. Her tone turned icy. “Madam Natasha, please understand that you’re the ones intruding here. I’ve politely asked you to leave. I hope you won’t overstep your boundaries.”

“Hehe… Is Madam CEO Dahlia trying to threaten me?” Natasha laughed softly, then her expression suddenly turned cold. “What if I decide to overstep my boundaries?”

As soon as she said this, Dahlia’s pretty face turned frosty. She didn’t utter a word but locked eyes with Natasha, refusing to back down.

The fierce gaze exchange between the two women created an intense atmosphere that sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

The entire scene had become tense, with an impending showdown in the air.






Chapter 1153 Reservation Evidence

Natasha and Dahlia locked eyes, engaged in an intense stare-down, both showcasing their strong desire for dominance. These two women, each unique and captivating in her own way, now revealed their competitive spirit.

“Miss Harmon, I don’t want to engage in a verbal battle with you. But you’ve occupied our room. If you refuse to leave, don’t blame me for calling the authorities,” Dahlia spoke again, her tone calm yet forceful.

“We’re fine with that. Call them,” Natasha smiled slightly, showing no fear.

“Daughter, these people are shameless! In my opinion, we don’t need to be polite with them. Just have them thrown out!” Florence said, growing irritated.

“She’s right! We clearly booked the room, so why should they occupy it? It’s an outrage!” Julie chimed in.

At this moment, the restaurant’s security personnel had slowly gathered.

Seeing this, Florence immediately shouted, “What are you all waiting for? Hurry up and kick them out!”

“Do you hear that? Kick them all out!” Mia joined in the shouting.

“Want a fight? I’m ready to go!” Dustin took two steps forward, blocking Natasha.

Scarlet remained silent but quietly drew her sword. If Dustin gave the word, she would not hesitate to eliminate all these people.

“Wait a moment!” Dahlia raised her hand to stop the security staff, then looked coldly at Dustin. She said, “While things haven’t escalated yet, I advise you to leave promptly. Don’t create more trouble, or you won’t be able to handle the consequences.”

“Create trouble?” Dustin shook his head and smiled, “Madam CEO Dahlia, it seems you haven’t understood the situation. It’s not us creating trouble; it’s you bullying us without reason.”

“You’ve occupied our room, and you think you’re in the right?” Dahlia furrowed her brows slightly.

She had a favorable impression of Dustin before and even had intentions of recruiting him. However, his behavior today had greatly disappointed her.

“Let me clarify: we booked this room in advance. You, on the other hand, intervened and tried to forcibly take it. We refused, and you resorted to all sorts of threats and temptations. So, who is being unreasonable here?” Dustin countered.

“You booked it?” Dahlia seemed puzzled and looked at Mia for confirmation.

“Miss Dahlia, don’t listen to his nonsense!” Mia’s eyelids twitched as she repeatedly excused herself, “I specifically reserved this room for you. But when these people arrived, they insisted on sitting here and wouldn’t leave. It’s truly despicable!”

“Do you hear that? Do you have anything else to say?” Dahlia questioned coldly.

“See for yourself.” Dustin couldn’t be bothered to argue further and simply took out his phone, opening the order records.

It displayed that he had booked the room known as “Platinum Room No. 3” through the internet half an hour ago, and he had even paid a deposit.

Concrete evidence was now before them, leaving Dahlia speechless.

She had assumed Dustin and his group were occupying the room, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding.

“What’s going on?” Dahlia glanced back at Mia, her brow deeply furrowed.

“This… There must be an issue with this order. Perhaps a system error,” Mia explained with a forced smile.

“An error? Do you take me for a fool?” Dahlia’s face turned cold.

What she had initially thought would be a rational argument had now turned into an irrational dispute.

With this abrupt shift, it was a bit embarrassing.








Chapter 1154 Name Your Price

“I…” Mia was at a loss for words. Although she wanted to continue arguing, she dared not because she could clearly sense Dahlia’s growing anger.

“You useless fool!” At this point, Florence couldn’t hold back and delivered a resounding slap to Mia’s face. She scolded, “You can’t even handle booking a room; what use are you? You’re an embarrassment to me!”

“Madam Florence, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry,” Mia covered her burning face, not only refraining from getting angry but also apologizing profusely. She nodded and bowed, appearing extremely submissive.

“Tell me sorry? What good is that? How do we resolve the room issue? Do you know we’re about to welcome an important guest!” Florence scolded loudly.

This waste not only failed to accomplish anything but also made her lose face in front of Dustin. It was truly an unpardonable sin.

“Madam Florence, how about we go to Room No. 1 in the Ground level? The environment there is quite nice too,” Mia tentatively suggested.

“Slap!” Florence slapped her again and scolded, “Is your brain damaged? With our status, we should sit in the Platinum Rooms. How can the Ground level rooms compare?”

“Exactly! One’s Heaven, the other’s Earth. Can they even be compared?” Julie crossed her arms, very dissatisfied. “Dustin can sit in a Platinum Room, but we can only sit in a Ground level room. Are you implying that our status is lower than his?”

“This… I…” Mia, holding her face, was at a loss for words. She hadn’t expected the situation to evolve like this.

Originally, the plan was to ingratiate themselves with Dahlia’s group, but now it had backfired. Instead of pleasing an important person, they had caused a lot of trouble. And all of this was thanks to Dustin, which filled her with resentment.

“Alright, let’s stick with the Ground level room. Arrange for us to change rooms,” Dahlia, although unhappy, couldn’t be bothered to argue further.

“Alright, alright, I’ll arrange it immediately!” Mia breathed a sigh of relief and instructed the waiter to prepare a new room.

“Wait!” Florence clearly disagreed. “Daughter, how can we let this go? What’s our status now? We’re among the top elites in Dragonmarsh! Wherever we go, we deserve the highest level of treatment. These Ground level rooms are too inferior for us!”

“That’s right! We must have the best rooms to reflect our status,” Julie chimed in.

“Madam Florence, the Ground level rooms actually have a very nice environment, and once you see it, you’ll know,” Mia tried to explain with a forced smile.

“Shut up! I said they’re inferior, so they’re inferior!” Florence stared daggers at her, making Mia shrink her neck and fall silent immediately.

Florence cared more about reputation, face, and status. Therefore, the rarer and more expensive something was, the more she liked it, and she was determined to obtain it.

“Mom, the Platinum Rooms are all occupied. Why don’t we just make do with the Ground level rooms?” Dahlia tried to persuade.

“No way! Let me handle this,” Florence said with determination.

“Dustin, we want this room, name your price!” Florence looking at Dustin.

“Price? Are you trying to buy me with money?” Dustin raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right!” Florence lifted her head proudly, saying, “I’m not short of money right now. As long as you all leave, I’ll pay whatever it takes.”

With that, she took out a gold card from her designer bag and waved it in front of Dustin, displaying a few hints of arrogance and ostentation.




Chapter 1155 The Asking Price

Watching Florence, who seemed to ignore his presence, Dustin found it somewhat amusing. Based on her behavior, appearance, and attire, Florence should have encountered a benefactor that had led her entire family to become immensely wealthy.

Not only did they have money, but they also had power and status.

They were arrogant and domineering. Now that they had both money and influence, they became even more uncontrollable.

Such behavior was not surprising to Dustin at all.

“Hey! Are you listening to me? Hurry up and name your price. I’m busy and don’t have time to waste with you!” Florence began to urge.

“The price I’m offering, you probably can’t afford,” Dustin shook his head.

“Can’t afford it?” Hearing this, Florence laughed immediately, a look in her eyes as if she were looking at a fool. “Dustin, you really have no sense! Do you know what our status is now? Do you know how much money we have? See this gold card? There’s enough money inside to crush you!”

“That’s right! Times have changed, and our status and position now are heights you’ll never reach in your lifetime. You will always be looking up to us from the bottom!” Julie held her head high, appearing extremely arrogant.

In their eyes, Dustin was just a young man living off the wealth and influence of Natasha, acting arrogantly in various ways. But now, with the backing of the Montgomery Royalty, they didn’t even take Natasha seriously.

A mere daughter of a nouveau riche family couldn’t be compared to the Montgomery Royalty.

The gap between the two sides was simply insurmountable.

“Enough already, stop wasting words. My patience is limited. Get on with it,” Florence started to press harder.

“Since you’re so wealthy, then I won’t hold back. If you want us to change rooms, this is the price,” Dustin extended one finger.

“Ten thousand dollars?” Florence sneered. “A loser is always a loser, with no vision whatsoever. It’s no wonder you can only live off women.”

“Dustin, I can only say that you missed an opportunity to get rich,” Julie mocked, making Dustin appear foolish.

“Here you go! Ten thousand dollars, consider it a reward for you. Now, get lost!” Florence made a hand gesture and had her bodyguard fetch a stack of cash, which was thrown at Dustin’s feet with an air of condescension.

“Are you trying to dismiss a beggar?” Dustin chuckled.

“What? Is ten thousand not enough?” Florence raised an eyebrow. “Do you think you’re worth more than that?”

“One hundred billion!” Dustin said something shocking.

“What? One hundred billion?!” With those words, Florence and her companions were completely dumbfounded.

This guy, was he out of his mind?

Did he seriously just ask for one hundred billion, as if they were printing money?

Although they were wealthy, they wouldn’t pay one hundred billion for the right to use a Platinum Room. Only a lunatic would do that.

“Exactly, one hundred billion. As long as you pay, I’ll leave immediately,” Dustin said with a sly smile.

You like to flaunt your wealth, don’t you? Today, I’ll let you do it to your heart’s content.

“Dustin! Have you gone mad? How dare you ask for such an exorbitant sum?” Florence was getting frustrated.

“Dustin, I can only say that you’ve lost your mind. One hundred billion? Do you think you’re worth that much?” Julie shouted.

“That’s right! We could offer you ten thousand dollars, which was already a generous gift. But now you want one hundred billion? Who gave you the courage?” Aunt Victoria joined in, ridiculing Dustin.

“Are you suggesting robbery is quicker than extortion?” Dustin said seriously. “Besides, it was your request for me to name a price. Now that I’ve done it and you can’t afford it, it’s your own fault for lacking the means.”






Chapter 1156 The Boss Is The Rule

“You… you shameless!”

Florence was infuriated, her face red with anger, and her teeth clenched.

She had originally planned to show off and flaunt her wealth, but this guy had dared to expose her in public. He was unforgivable!

“I’ve named the price. You now have two choices: pay up or get lost!” Dustin was completely unapologetic.

“You’ve gone too far! You’ve gone way too far!” Florence was fuming with rage.

Since her status had risen, she had never been this angry before.

“What’s going on here?”

At this moment, a tall and slender man in a suit, Evan Yarrow, walked over with a dignified demeanor.

As he walked through, the security personnel of the restaurant made way for him, creating a path.

The man was none other than Evan, the owner of Celestial Heights Restaurant.

“Mr Evan! You’ve finally arrived?”

Seeing Evan, Mia’s face lit up, and she hurriedly went to greet him.

The man before her was not only her boyfriend but also her biggest backer.

With power, wealth, and connections in both the legitimate and underworld circles, he could easily resolve any situation.

“Evan, look at my face. What do you think happened?” Mia complained tearfully, explaining the situation briefly.

Listening to her, Evan’s expression immediately turned grim.

Since Celestial Heights Restaurant opened, no one had dared to cause trouble here.

Who had the audacity to hit his woman?

“Dahlia, Florence, are you injured?”

Evan didn’t immediately explode but instead approached Dahlia and the others to inquire about the situation.

“Madam Florence, there was a problem with my arrangement. It affected your mood. I’m very sorry. From now on, all your expenses here are free for life.” Evan said with an apologetic smile.

“All free for life?”

With those words, many people in the restaurant looked surprised.

Celestial Heights Restaurant’s expenses were not cheap, and offering a lifetime of free dining was not something an ordinary restaurant owner could afford.

“Hmph! You’ve shown some sincerity.”

Hearing this, Florence’s expression softened slightly, but she still emphasized, “I accept your apology, but this matter can’t be resolved so easily. You must give me a satisfactory explanation!”

“No problem, no problem. I promise to make Florence feel at ease,” Evan nodded humbly. However, when he turned around again, his expression immediately darkened. “Who was it that wanted to dispute with Florence earlier? Step forward now!”


Hearing this, Florence’s expression softened slightly, but she still emphasized, “I accept your apology, but this matter can’t be resolved so easily. You must give me a satisfactory explanation!”


“No problem, no problem. I promise to make Florence feel at ease,” Evan nodded humbly. However, when he turned around again, his expression immediately darkened. “Who was it that wanted to dispute with Florence earlier? Come forward!”

“You know what, it’s not really a “dispute”, because we actually booked the room first,” Dustin mentioned with a friendly tone.

“Well, I don’t mind who booked this first, as long as Madam Florence is happy, she can have the room!” Evan responded cheerfully.

“Who do you think you are?” Dustin asked with a friendly smile.

“I’m the boss of Celestial Heights Restaurant, and everything here kinda goes by what I say,” Evan replied in a somewhat relaxed tone.

“Boss, huh? Don’t you guys have some rules here? You know, like the ‘first-come, first-served’ thing and treating everyone fairly?” Dustin mentioned, still in a friendly manner.

“Ah, forget the rules! My rules are what matter!” Evan said with a grin.

Evan was becoming impatient. “I now officially declare that all of you troublemakers are blacklisted by Celestial Heights Restaurant!”

“From now on, we won’t do business with you, and you’ll never eat here!”

“Now, I command all of you to leave Celestial Heights Restaurant immediately!”





Chapter 1157: Dial-A-Gang

Evan’s words were domineering and harsh, leaving no room for civility. Dustin, who had initially planned to reason with him, immediately grew cold.

No wonder the employees here were so arrogant; it seemed the boss was cut from the same cloth.

“Hey! Can’t you hear me? I said get lost!” Mia barked from behind.

“Your Celestial Heights Restaurant sure likes to throw its weight around. You dare kick customers out? Looks like you don’t want business,” Dustin remarked, his tone icy.

“It’s not that we don’t want business; we just don’t want your business!” Evan retorted firmly. “Celestial Heights Restaurant is my territory, and I call the shots. I’m not pleased with you guys right now, so I’ll give you one minute to leave, or don’t blame me for not being polite!”

With these words, the crowd erupted, clamoring for Dustin and his group to leave.

“Hey, Dustin, how about it? The boss has spoken. Why are you shamelessly lingering here? Have no shame?” Florence sneered, arms crossed.

When arguing and reasoning proved futile, they chose the path of force and intimidation.

“Hmph! Some people really have no shame. They can’t even leave when asked. They’re like lapdogs,” Julie chimed in with a sly tone.

“Who said they didn’t? Don’t they know their place? How dare they compete with us? They don’t have an ounce of self-awareness,” Aunt Victoria added disdainfully.

They were now prominent figures in the Montgomery family and expected everyone to step aside.

“Starting to play dirty, huh? Are you sure about this?” Dustin glared at Evan.

“Absolutely sure!” Evan raised his head proudly. “You’ve upset Aunt Florence, and that means you’ve disrespected me. If you disrespect me, you’re not welcome here. I’m giving you a minute to get out, or else don’t blame me for being impolite!”

With those words, he even made a hand gesture.

Suddenly, the security personnel, who had been watching from the sidelines, closed in, their eyes filled with aggression. Some even brandished batons, ready to act.

“Dustin, do you understand the situation? You’re no longer in the same league as us,” Florence said arrogantly, tilting her chin. “Do you know what power means? Do you understand the gap between us? In simple terms, we eat here without paying, and you eat here by paying us. Got it?”

“Accept your fate. Someone like you deserves to be stepped on for a lifetime,” Julie sneered.

“Young man! You seem defiant. Do you know who you’re dealing with?” Evan smirked, continuing to press Dustin. “But what does it matter? On my turf, I’m the boss. You’ll have to abide by my rules. If I tell you to leave, you leave!”

“A mere Celestial Heights Restaurant owner, and you dare to be so arrogant? I have no idea where you find your courage,” Dustin chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, since you don’t want to do business, starting today, there’s no need for Celestial Heights Restaurant to exist.”

With that, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Bring some people over. Let’s shut down Celestial Heights Restaurant.”

“Oh, wow… you want to shut us down too? I’m so scared! I’m genuinely terrified!” Evan sarcastically remarked. “Kid, do you even know who you’re messing with? Investigate it thoroughly, and then come back here to make threats, or else, I’m afraid you’ll be scared out of your wits!”

“I don’t care who you are, or who’s backing you. I only know that you’ve really ticked me off today. So, you’ll have to pay for your actions,” Dustin said calmly.

“Hehehe… threatening me, are you? Fine! I’ll be waiting. Let’s see how much power you really have!” Evan crossed his arms, unflinchingly.

In a matter of moments, outside Celestial Heights Restaurant, the roar of engines filled the air. Following that, a large group of Kirin Gang members stormed in, their presence imposing.

The security staff of Celestial Heights Restaurant, who had been arrogant moments ago, now paled in comparison, shifting from swagger to fear.




Chapter 1158 Kirin Gang is King!

Those who had experience on the streets knew that the underground world of the provincial capital was now under the control of the Kirin Gang. No force could challenge them.

So, when they saw the disciples of the Kirin Gang rush in, the security guards immediately backed down.

“Huh, I didn’t expect this guy, Dustin, to actually have some influence,” Aunt Victoria said, somewhat surprised.

“Hmph! They’re just a bunch of small-time thugs who can’t rise to the occasion,” Julie said disdainfully.

“You’re right. They’re all insignificant small fry who can’t make a big splash. We don’t even need to get involved; Evan can handle it easily,” Florence boasted.

If this had been in the past, she might have been somewhat wary, but now, she didn’t even consider them a threat.

The power of the Montgomery Palace was not something these small-time thugs could compare to.

They were simply in different leagues.

“Dustin, what’s going on?” At this moment, Cornelius rushed up the stairs with a group of people.

“Celestial Heights Restaurant is cheating its customers, and I’m not pleased about it. I’m shutting this place down indefinitely,” Dustin said calmly.

“No problem!” Cornelius waved his hand and shouted, “Brothers, trash this place for me, escort all the customers out, and if anyone dares to obstruct, give them a good beating!”

“Yes!”

With his command, the disciples of the Kirin Gang began to take action one after another.

“Stop! Stop it all!” Seeing this scene, Evan finally lost his composure and shouted, “Do you trash know who backs Celestial Heights Restaurant? You dare to cause trouble in my place; I see that you’re just tired of living!”

“You bastard!”

Cornelius was not polite at all. He raised his hand and slapped Evan to the ground, cursing, “Daring to anger Young Master, even if you’re the king of heaven, you won’t be able to save yourself today!”

“You…how dare you hit me?”

Clutching his burning face, Evan angrily yelled, “Someone, get these trash out of here!”

Hearing this, the security guards of Celestial Heights Restaurant looked at each other, and none of them dared to move.

The ruthless characters from the Kirin Gang were not to be trifled with.

“Are you all deaf? I told you to move!” Frustrated by the lack of response, Evan was furious. He slapped a few security guards behind him and shouted, “I hired you to maintain order, not to sit around and do nothing. I order you to fight them now!”

“Sir Evan… these people are disciples of the Kirin Gang. We can’t afford to provoke them,” a security guard captain whispered.

“The Kirin Gang? So what? I have the backing of the Grant family behind me!”

Evan yelled aggressively, “With just one phone call from me, I can immediately call in the military and wipe out this damn Kirin Gang!”

“The Grant family?”

This statement caused quite a stir among those present.

No one had expected that Evan had such a powerful background.

The Grant family, one of the Three Supreme Families, was so influential that it even surpassed the General’s Mansion in power.

With such a formidable force backing him, it was no wonder he was so arrogant.

“Why are you all still standing there? Hurry up and take action!”

Evan continued to shout and curse, slapping the security guard captain in the face again to vent his frustration.

“Damn it! Let’s fight them!”

The security guard captain gritted his teeth and immediately rallied his subordinates, shouting, “We can’t be afraid of the Kirin Gang with the Grant family backing us!”

Although they were afraid, they had the Grant family’s support, so they felt fearless.







Chapter 1159 Destroy Everything

“You want to fight, huh?” Watching the security guards rush forward, Cornelius grinned and said, “Brothers, take three minutes to stretch your muscles!”

“Alright!”

The disciples of the Kirin Gang immediately became excited. They rubbed their fists and palms, ready to confront the security guards head-on.

Cornelius was the leader of the Flame Dragon Gang, and his subordinates were all ruthless characters who had come out of the Azkaban. They were the most powerful elite force in the entire Kirin Gang.

After undergoing special training by Dustin, their strength had made significant strides, and they could easily take on a hundred opponents without breaking a sweat.

Not to mention facing a group of ordinary security guards, even if they were to clash head-on with the major martial sects in the martial world, they wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.

As expected, when the two groups met, the difference in strength was clear.

The disciples of the Kirin Gang’s Flame Dragon Guild completely overwhelmed the security guards with ease, knocking them all down within less than three minutes.

“You bunch of trash!” Seeing this scene, Evan was furious. He had thought that the security guards he had hired could hold their own for a while, but he hadn’t expected them to be defeated so quickly. They were utterly useless.

“Continue to wreck this place! Destroy everything for me!” Cornelius didn’t mince words, directing the disciples of the Kirin Gang to start dismantling the restaurant.

Of course, they were only demolishing Celestial Heights Restaurant and taking care not to harm any innocent people.

“You worthless bunch! How dare you cause trouble in my Celestial Heights Restaurant! I’ll make sure you pay for this!” Evan was furious and immediately took out his phone to call for reinforcements.

Dustin just watched quietly and didn’t intervene.

I tried to reason with you, but you insisted on being unreasonable. So now, I’ll be unreasonable with you.

“Dustin, do you think you’re going too far?” Dahlia, who had been quietly observing, suddenly spoke up.

“Where have I gone too far? I don’t think so,” Dustin shrugged.

“Celestial Heights Restaurant belongs to Sir Evan, and it’s his freedom to do business with whomever he wants. Although his words were a bit harsh, you shouldn’t have allowed people to cause a ruckus and destruction here. Moreover, you won’t be able to bear the consequences,” Dahlia warned.

Regardless of right or wrong, Sir Evan had the backing of the Grant family, and he was not someone an insurance salesman could afford to offend, even if the Harmon Family supported them.

“Miss Dahlia, aren’t you being a bit hypocritical?” Natasha chuckled, “When Sir Evan was yelling and bossing people around earlier, why didn’t you say anything? Oh, now that you see Sir Evan can’t handle it, you step forward to uphold justice and act as a righteous agent?”

When he hadn’t lost his memory, Dahlia had only found him somewhat annoying, but now that she had lost her memory, she seemed to find him even more annoying.

“I’m just speaking the truth,” Dahlia said coldly, “Sir Evan has the Grant family behind him, and you can’t afford to offend them. If you stop now, I can still put in a good word for you to help resolve this situation.”

“Thank you for your kind offer, Miss Dahlia, but we can handle it ourselves,” Natasha declined.

Regardless of whether the other party had the ability or not, she didn’t appreciate it.

“Daughter, why are you helping them? If they want to court disaster, let them!” Florence pouted.

“Yeah, cousin, we’re just here to watch the show. Why bother getting involved and making trouble for ourselves?” Julie also tried to persuade her.

They both wanted to see Dustin’s group in trouble, and now that they finally had the chance, they didn’t want to miss it.

“Why are you helping them, Daughter?” Florence sneered.

“It seems like you’re the only one who’s bothered, Cousin. We were just here to watch the show, why bother getting involved and making trouble for ourselves?” Julie also chimed in.

They both wanted to see Dustin’s group in trouble, and now that they finally had the chance, they didn’t want to miss it.

“Do you really want to go against the Grant family?” Dahlia looked at Dustin with a determined gaze and asked her final question.

“Celestial Heights Restaurant is sealed off by me. If the Grant family insists on stepping in, then I’ll accompany them to the end,” Dustin replied calmly.

“You…”

Dahlia furrowed her brows, feeling somewhat annoyed.









Chapter 1160 Grant To The Rescue

This guy is as stubborn as a log, isn’t he? She had kindly advised him and even offered to help, but he didn’t seem to appreciate it at all.

“Hmph! You can’t reason with stubborn ghosts. Daughter, just let them fend for themselves,” Florence crossed her arms and acted as if she were watching a show.

“Cousin, you’re great in every way, except that you’re too kind-hearted. These people are trying to take our seats, and you’re actually helping them. There’s really no need,” Julie shook her head.

“Yeah, Dahlia, you’re too kind. Some people won’t learn their lesson until they taste some bitterness!” Aunt Victoria looked disdainful.

“Alright, I won’t interfere in your affairs.”

Dahlia had a cold expression as she withdrew to the side.

For some reason, when she saw Dustin rejecting her, she felt a strange and unfounded sense of frustration.

What was wrong with her?

He was just a stranger she had met a few times. Why was she so concerned?

“Kid! Miss Dahlia gave you a chance to save your life, but you foolishly rejected it. You’re incredibly stupid. When my reinforcements arrive, you’ll regret it!” Evan sneered, looking at Dustin as if he were an idiot.

Being able to have Miss Dahlia personally speak for him was a great honor and favor that others couldn’t beg for. Yet this kid in front of him had flatly refused, digging his own grave!

“Hmph! Let you be arrogant for a while longer. You’ll see what’s coming later!” Mia muttered resentfully from the sidelines, her eyes filled with malice.

Dustin couldn’t be bothered to respond. He beckoned to Natasha and the others, returning to Room No. 3.

There, they drank tea and watched the disciples of the Kirin Gang continue to rampage and vandalize Celestial Heights Restaurant.

“Smash! Go ahead and smash! Afterward, I’ll make you pay ten times or a hundred times the compensation!” Evan’s face darkened as the anger in his chest gradually built up.

“What kind of people dare to cause trouble in Celestial Heights Restaurant?!”

At this moment, a shout rang out.

A group of burly men, all well-built and full of hostility, burst into the scene.

Leading them were two young men, one dressed in white and the other in black. The white-clad man wore sunglasses and held a cigar. He walked with an exaggerated duck-footed gait, exuding an air of arrogance.

The black-clad man had bulging muscles, a powerful aura, and sharp eyes. He was obviously no ordinary person.

“Sir Brayden, you’re finally here!” Evan’s eyes lit up when he saw the man in white, and he hurriedly approached.

You see, this guy was none other than Tyler’s younger brother, Brayden!

In the entire Grant family, he held great sway.

It was precisely because he had the backing of Brayden Grant that he was able to thrive here.

“I just heard you on the phone saying that someone was vandalizing Celestial Heights Restaurant. What’s going on?” Brayden held the cigar and looked quite arrogant.

“Sir Brayden, here’s what happened. Some prick wanted to freeload here and even had a confrontation with Miss Dahlia. I wanted to kick them out, but they not only refused to leave, but also called a group of people to come and cause trouble. It’s simply too much!” Evan began to complain.

“Hmm? Did you mention my name?” Brayden raised his eyebrows slightly.

“I did. They completely ignored you and even threatened to teach you a lesson!” Evan replied.

“Damn it! Who dares to be so bold? Show me!” Brayden threw his cigar on the ground, looking very angry.

After years of being in charge in Millsburg, there were very few people who dared to challenge him.

“Sir Brayden, it’s them!”

Evan took a few steps forward and pointed at Dustin, who was sitting in the room.

Brayden took a look and his eyes immediately lit up. “Oh? It’s actually Flower Girls?” (Flower Girl is an attractive woman who is admired for her beauty, grace, or charm)