An Understated Dominance - Chapter 149

“Slap!” The sharp sound echoed as Dahlia’s hand struck Dustin Rhy’s face.

She had hit him so hard that the wounds on her hand, which had just healed, opened up again, and fresh blood began to drip down her fingers.

Dustin touched his cheek where it stung from the slap but stood still, his face expressionless.

He could handle other people’s misunderstandings and disdain, but he couldn’t accept that his ex-wife had just slapped him for another man.

“Why? Why do you insist on being this way?” Dahlia asked through clenched teeth, her eyes welling up with tears and disappointment flooding her heart.

She couldn’t understand why Dustin had changed so much. He was now closed-minded, filled with jealousy, and spreading rumors. He was even returning kindness with cruelty.

All the worst traits seemed to be wrapped up in this man. She hoped her slap would wake him up!

“Hmph. Do you want to fight me, kid? Aren’t you a little too young for that?” Matt sneered, enjoying the scene as he watched them clash.

Even though he had just lost two teeth, he felt a sense of victory seeing Dahlia stand up for him.

“That was a good slap! He deserved it!” Florence cheered, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Exactly! If you don’t teach him a lesson, are you even human?” James chimed in loudly.

“Ha—” Dustin sighed wearily after a long silence.

During their three years of marriage, they had rarely argued, let alone resorted to violence. This would be the first and last time it happened!

Dustin took a deep breath and said quietly, “That slap was for everything I’ve ever done to you. From now on, we don’t owe each other anything.” He then turned and walked away, showing no anger or complaints—just a calm indifference.

Dahlia stood there, shocked. She couldn’t find the words to respond as she watched him leave.

Suddenly, they all heard a knock on the door. It was Mr. Fletcher, who had left earlier but had come back.

“Where did Mr. Rhys go?” he asked, looking around the room.

“Why are you looking for that punk, Mr. Fletcher?” Florence replied, surprised.

“Oh, Sir Hummer sent me to give him a gift,” Mr. Fletcher explained.

“A gift?” Everyone exchanged confused glances.

“Are you kidding us, Mr. Fletcher? How is that punk worthy of a gift from Mr. Hummer?” Florence asked, unable to believe it.

“What do you mean ‘how is he worthy’? Don’t you know he’s the reason the Hummers decided to lift the ban on the Nicholsons? He also got them to apologize!” Mr. Fletcher said, astonished by their reactions.

“What?” A chorus of gasps filled the room. The crowd was stunned and struggled to believe what they had just heard.

Dustin, the person they had always looked down on, had actually saved the Nicholsons and convinced the Hummers to apologize? How could this be true?

“Y-you must be joking, Mr. Fletcher. Are you saying that Dustin was the one who saved us?” Florence asked in disbelief.

With widened eyes, Dahlia struggled to accept what she had just heard.

“Who else could it be?” Mr. Fletcher asked seriously.

“No way! Matt helped us! How could he be the one to blame Dustin?” James shouted, shaking his head so hard it looked like a drum rattling.

“Matt Laney? He’s just a washed-up member of a family. How good could he really be? Clearly not good enough for the Hummers to respect him,” Mr. Fletcher scoffed, glaring at Matt with disdain.

At Mr. Fletcher’s words, everyone in the crowd turned to look at Matt. His face turned bright red, and the awkward silence hung in the air. His reaction seemed to confirm what Mr. Fletcher had said.

“How could this happen? Have I been wrong about him?” Dahlia whispered to herself, a sudden realization hitting her.

Without wasting a moment, she dashed out of the room, racing after Dustin in the direction he had gone.

When she reached the gate, she saw Dustin about to get into a car. She hurried over and grabbed his sleeve.

“Dustin! Wait! I misunderstood you earlier. I was too quick to judge. I had no idea you were doing all of this for us, especially carrying so much on your shoulders. But why didn’t you explain it to us? You were the one who saved everyone. Why didn’t you tell us?” Dahlia cried, biting her lip in pain.

“What was the point of explaining? When have you ever believed me?” Dustin replied, shaking his head. The hurt of feeling let down by her was deep.

“Why didn’t you just tell me? How can I trust you when you keep things from me?” Dahlia said angrily.

“I don’t care if you trust me anymore. We’re done here. Let go of me,” Dustin replied, pulling away from her grip. His look made Dahlia feel like he was a stranger.

“What do you want from me, Dustin? Can’t you just think before you act? Have you ever considered that maybe you’re the problem? You’re the one who goes around fighting people who don’t agree with you. If you hadn’t been lucky, do you really think you would’ve gotten away without a scratch? All I want is for you to be more mature and sensible. Is that too much to ask?” Dahlia shouted, her emotions boiling over.

“Yeah, you’re right. It’s all my fault. I deserved that slap, didn’t I?” Dustin said coldly.

“You—” Dahlia wanted to respond but lost her words for a moment.

“You’ve always acted so arrogant and self-righteous, Dahlia. You never admit when you’re wrong. This has happened many times, especially when you could have just thought a little more or done a simple check to get the right answer. But you always choose to ignore reality and only hear what you want. That’s why you don’t trust me now.

“Have you noticed? You’ve been living in your own little world, shutting out anyone who tries to get close. I tried my best to reach you before, but I’m done trying now. I’ve decided this is the last time I will help you. I truly wish you the best in your future.”

Dustin got into his car and drove away quickly.

Dahlia stood frozen, looking as if she had just been struck by lightning. She didn’t say anything for a long time.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry! I never thought things would end up like this!” she whispered to herself.

“I just wanted you to succeed too. All I wanted was for you to get ahead in life. I had no idea how much you were suffering. I was wrong, and I’ve known it since our divorce! I remember saying that no one could ever make me fall in love again, but the truth is, someone was there all along.

“And that someone was you! But do you know why I let you go at the last moment? It’s because, Dustin, I’m still hopelessly in love with you,” she admitted, feeling the pain in her heart.