An Understated Dominance - Chapter 203

The video on James’ phone showed Dustin being violent. First, he kicked James. Then he shoved Florence, making her fall and hit her head against the door.

The video ended with Dustin slapping James twice. Parts of the beginning and end were cut out, and there was no sound, just images.

After watching it, Dahlia felt frozen. She couldn’t believe it before, but now the video was right in front of her; she had to accept it.

“Dahlia, you saw what happened, right? This proves he attacked us! Mom is getting older; she can’t handle that monster’s beatings! We went to the hospital, and the doctor said her concussion is so serious she might get Alzheimer’s! Plus, she broke some bones. She won’t be able to take care of herself later. Do you still want to defend that savage?!” James said, his voice tight with anger and sadness.

“Why? Why would he do that?” Dahlia clenched her fists, her face pale.

Their relationship had just begun to get better. She had even thought about remarrying him. But why did Dustin hurt her mother? Had he lost all feelings?

“Dahlia, not only did that brute hit me, but he also framed Julie and got her arrested!” Florence said, sounding serious.

“What? Julie is in jail?” Dahlia’s eyes widened in shock.

“Yes! Today, Julie went to the Harmons’ to buy Immortunol, and she argued with Dustin. That jerk wanted revenge, so he had someone arrest Julie and accuse her of stealing,” James replied angrily.

“I was there the whole time. I can confirm that,” Matt added from the side.

He clearly wasn’t going to miss the chance to support his friends.

kicked a man when he was down.

“Dahlia, did you hear that? That jerk, Dustin, is an ungrateful piece of work. We all trusted him back then, but now he’s shown his true self. He doesn’t want to forgive and forget. How can you trust a guy like him?!” Florence said, her voice rising as she stoked the fire. She started to cough again.

Dahlia looked at Florence and felt her heart tighten. Florence seemed so weak, like she was barely hanging on.

All the hope Dahlia had left vanished, replaced by anger.

Without saying anything else, she pulled out her phone and called Dustin.

“Hello? I want an explanation!” she demanded.

“An explanation? For what?” Dustin replied, sounding calm.

Chapter 203

“Did you beat up my mother and James?” Dahlia asked, trying to keep her anger in check.

“I did hit James, but he had it coming. As for your mom, she fell by accident,” Dustin said.

“By accident?” Dahlia’s voice shot up.

“You act like it’s nothing! Your so-called accident made my mother break her hands and legs and gave her a severe concussion!”

“Is it really that bad?” Dustin questioned, doubtful.

“She’s lying in bed, unable to move because of her injuries! Do you think that’s not serious? According to you, does my mom have to die for her injuries to count? Are you even human?” Dahlia’s anger boiled over.

“You should calm down and take your mother to get her injuries checked,” Dustin suggested.

When Florence left earlier, she seemed fine. There was no way she could be this injured so suddenly.

“Checked for what? I’ve seen her injuries myself. Why should I bother getting her checked by someone else? Are you still trying to defend yourself?” Dahlia said, furious.

Dustin had hurt Dahlia’s family, and now he wouldn’t even say sorry. Instead, he acted as if he was in the right.

“Since you believe your mother’s story, why are you asking me?” Dustin’s voice turned cold.

“What? Are you just giving up because you got caught? You beat them up! Are you saying you had a good reason to do that?” Dahlia replied, frustration rising in her voice.

“Fine, let’s say I did beat them up. But did you ever ask why?” Dustin challenged.

“Of course, I asked! My mother asked you for the formula. You refused and said some really harsh things. She stood up to you, and then you attacked her. Isn’t that what happened?” Dahlia shot back.

Dustin let out a mocking laugh. “If that’s what you believe, then sure.”

He was too tired to explain himself. He knew they wouldn’t believe him anyway.

“Dustin, wow. I can’t believe you’re this kind of person! Was it really worth it over a formula? What would have happened if you just gave her the recipe? Would you lose a limb? You know what, I can just pay for it! Is one million dollars enough? Or two? Name your price, and I’ll buy it!”

Dahlia was getting angrier by the second. Her hands shook with rage.

“Do you think this is about money? Honestly, I’ve already given the formula away,” Dustin said casually.

“Who did you give it to? Was it Natasha? Are you saying you’d rather give it to her for free than sell it to me?”

“Can you be a little more reasonable?” he asked.

“Am I being unreasonable, or are you just a cold person who got bored with the old and wanted something new? Do you not value me at all?” Dahlia felt like she was losing her mind.

She hadn’t been this upset before, but the thought of Natasha made it worse.

Dahlia felt as if a knife had pierced her heart. It seemed like someone had taken something really important from her.

“Dahlia, I don’t want to fight. If you called me to talk about this, then I don’t think we have anything to say,” Dustin said, taking a deep breath.

“Fine! Forget the formula—let’s talk about Julie! Were you responsible for her arrest?” Dahlia switched topics quickly.

“If I say no, would you believe me?” Dustin replied, sounding indifferent.

“Do you really think I would trust you? Matt saw you plant fake evidence that got Julie sent to jail! I know you don’t like her, but is it really worth being so petty? How could you do something so cruel over a small fight? That’s my cousin! How could you do something so horrible?!” Dahlia’s voice grew louder, almost a roar by the end.

“So you’ll just believe whatever Matt says? Do you think I’m such a jerk that you’d rather trust him than me?” Dustin asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

“You’ve done so many terrible things. How can I believe you?” Dahlia shot back.

When Dustin heard her words, he fell silent, a bitter smile forming on his lips. He didn’t want to explain himself any further, nor did he have the energy to do so.

Once doubt was planted, it was hard to remove. There had always been a gap between him and Dahlia, rooted in mistrust. No matter what he did, he felt he would never be acknowledged. Yet, even the smallest misunderstanding would lead to a big fight.

That was the core of their issues. He had really tried his best.