An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2

In the elevator, Dustin gazed at the crystal necklace with a heavy heart. Although he had anticipated this outcome, he still felt sadness at the abrupt end of his marriage. He had once believed that happiness was straightforward: shared meals, joyful days, and simple pleasures. Now, he realized that normalcy had become a luxury. It was time to awaken from this extended daydream.

Suddenly, his phone rang, snapping him out of his reverie. Upon answering, he recognized the voice on the other end.

“Mr. Rhys, this is Hunter Anderson from the Swinton Group. I understand that today is your wedding anniversary with Ms. Nicholson, so I have prepared a gift for you. I was wondering if you have any time to meet today?”

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, but I’m afraid we won’t need the gift,” Dustin replied.

“Why not?”

Hunter was taken aback, sensing something was amiss.

“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss, Mr. Anderson?” Dustin inquired.

“Actually, yes. I need to talk about a friend who has contracted a peculiar illness. He has seen many doctors, but none have been able to help. I was hoping you might assist him,” Hunter explained.

“Mr. Anderson, you know my rules,” Dustin reminded him.

“Of course! I’m genuinely sincere in my request. My friend possesses some canscora, which I recall you were searching for. I’m sure he would be willing to part with it if you help him,” Hunter said.

“Is that true?” Dustin asked seriously.

“Yes, it is!”

“Alright, then I’m willing to take a look.” Dustin quickly agreed to the request.

He wasn’t motivated by money or jewels; instead, he sought rare herbs and plants necessary for saving lives.

“Thank you, Mr. Rhys! I’ll send someone to pick you up right away!” Hunter exclaimed, relieved.

As the president of the Swinton Group and one of the Mighty Three of Swinton, Hunter acted with urgency.

exceptionally timid in front of Dustin.

“Great, one more down, five to go. I should have enough time,” Dustin muttered to himself, feeling slightly better after this news.

With a ding, the elevator doors opened. As he stepped out of the building, he spotted two familiar figures approaching him: Dahlia’s mother, Florence Franklin, and her brother, James Nicholson.

“Mom, James, what brings you here?” Dustin greeted them.

“Did you and Dahlia get divorced?” Florence wasted no time in asking.

“Yes, we did.” Dustin offered her a forced smile. “It’s not Dahlia’s fault; it’s mine. Please don’t blame her.”

He hoped to conclude his marriage on a positive note, but Florence responded with a cold snort.

“Of course it’s your problem. I know my daughter well. If you hadn’t done anything wrong, she wouldn’t have divorced you,” she retorted.

Dustin was taken aback. Was this victim blaming?

“Mom, you know how I’ve treated her over the past three years. I’m confident I’ve never betrayed Dahlia’s trust,” Dustin replied.

“Who knows what you’ve done behind our backs?” Florence snorted again. “My daughter was right to divorce you! Just look at yourself. She’s clearly out of your league!”

“Mom, don’t you think you’re going too far?” Dustin frowned.

If he hadn’t helped the Nicholson family three years ago, they wouldn’t be where they were today.

“Too far? So what if I am? Am I not speaking the truth?” Florence crossed her arms defiantly.

“That’s enough, Mom. Stop wasting time with him.” Suddenly, James stepped forward. “Listen, Rhys. I don’t care whether you divorced my sister or not, but you need to give me all the money you received from her.”

“Money? What money?” Dustin was taken aback.

“Stop pretending you don’t know! I know my sister gave you eight million dollars as alimony!” James declared.

“That’s right! That’s my daughter’s money. You have no right to take it! Give it back!” Florence extended her hand in demand.

“I didn’t take any money from her,” Dustin insisted.

“Bullshit! Who would turn down eight million dollars? Do you think we’re fools?” James retorted, unconvinced.

“Rhys, you’d better be wise and return the money. Don’t make me angry!” Florence warned.

“You can call Dahlia and ask her if you don’t believe me,” Dustin replied, unwilling to elaborate further.

“What’s this? Are you threatening us? Listen, no matter how much you plead, I won’t let you leave with a single cent of ours!” Florence snapped.

“Mom, he’s too dense for this. Let’s just search his pockets!” James said impatiently, diving straight into Dustin’s pockets.

Florence followed suit.

“Mom, do you really have to do this?” Dustin frowned, caught off guard by the Nicholson family’s aggression so soon after the divorce. They were truly ruthless.

Florence spat on the ground in disgust.

“Who are you calling Mom? Watch your mouth. Who do you think you are?” she chastised, continuing to rummage through Dustin’s pockets.

After some time, they found nothing of value.

“Damn it, did he really not take any money?” James said, frustrated.

Suddenly, he noticed the crystal necklace around Dustin’s neck and yanked it off roughly.

“Isn’t this my sister’s necklace? Why is it with you? Did you steal it?” James demanded.

“This is the Rhys family heirloom. Give it back!” Dustin’s expression darkened.

He might not take any money, but he would not part with his mother’s keepsake.

“Is this an heirloom? Does that mean it’s valuable?” James asked, his eyes brightening.

“In that case, Rhys, this can serve as repayment for the three years you’ve lived with us. Let’s go!” Florence glanced at her son and prepared to leave.

“Hold on!” Dustin seized James’ wrist. “Give me back the necklace!”

“Ouch! That hurts! Let me go!” James cried out, feeling a sharp pain in his wrist.

“Return it,” Dustin demanded, his tone menacing.

“Damn it, I’d rather throw it away than give it back to you!”

Realizing he couldn’t escape Dustin’s grip, James threw the necklace to the ground. It landed with a sharp clink and shattered into several pieces. Dustin’s face went pale; this was the only keepsake he had of his mother.

“How dare you touch me! I’d rather break it than return it to you!” James protested, rubbing his sore wrist.

Dustin’s fists tightened until his knuckles cracked, his eyes blazing with fury.

“You son of a bitch!” Unable to contain his rage any longer, Dustin slapped James across the face.

The force of the slap sent James spinning before he collapsed to the ground, disoriented and unable to rise.

“Since your mother can’t be bothered to teach you manners, let me take care of that!” Dustin grabbed him by the hair and lifted him, then slapped him multiple times.

James’s face quickly became bloodied from the blows.

“How dare you hit my son!” Florence screamed, rushing to help him.

“Get lost!” Dustin shot back, glaring at her with such intensity that Florence froze in place.