An Understated Dominance - Chapter 228

“What, are you going to use physical violence?” Dustin smirked at the sight of the security guards closing in on him. He had always preferred talking things out rather than fighting. Maybe he would have considered their demands if they had approached him politely. But if they wanted to get rough, he was ready to teach them a lesson.

“So what if I am? Don’t think too highly of yourself, you brat!” Quentin snapped. He had held a grudge against Dustin ever since their first meeting when he felt humiliated. If it weren’t for Natasha keeping him in check, he would have sought revenge long ago. With Natasha gone, he saw this as his chance to get even!

“Quentin, don’t go too far!” Ruth shouted, unable to hold back any longer. “It’s Dustin’s choice whether to sell the shares. If you try to hurt him, I won’t stand for it!”

“Ruth, this doesn’t involve you. Stay out of it!” Quentin shot back. Just as Ruth was about to respond, Jessica stepped in.

“Dustin, a wise person knows how to adjust to their situation. You can’t keep all those shares to yourself, so just hand them over when we ask nicely,” Jessica said. “Many people face trouble not because of their actions, but because they have things that don’t belong to them. With your background and skills, holding on to those shares will only lead to more problems for you.”

“Is that a threat, Mrs. Harmon?” Dustin asked, unfazed.

“It’s simply advice. You should know your limits. Do you really think you would have achieved what you have without my daughter protecting you?” Jessica looked at him with disdain.

Harmon has helped me a lot, but I didn’t rely on anyone to get where I am now,” Dustin said sharply. “As for Immortunol, let me be clear—I created the formula and was the first to make it work. I don’t care about the shares, but I won’t let you push me around!”

“How dare you!” Jessica yelled, slamming her hand on the table as she stood up. “Dustin, I’ve tried to be nice to you. Don’t test me!”

“Who’s pushing who?” Dustin shot back. “When the Hummer family successfully developed and sold Eternumax, the Harmon family had nothing and couldn’t compete. I helped you through that tough time, yet here you are, burning bridges as soon as you can. Is this how ungrateful the Harmon family members are?”

“Why, you—” Jessica fumed. She never expected someone so dependent on the Harmon family to talk back to her like this.

“Aunt Jessica, don’t waste your time on this brat. We just need to catch him; I have plenty of ways to make him give in!” Quentin added, trying to stir things up.

“Mom, don’t do anything stupid. If you hurt Dustin, Natasha will never forgive you!” Ruth warned.

Jessica paused, considering Ruth’s words. Her relationship with Natasha was already strained, and if she acted on her anger, it could ruin everything.

Just then, the man sitting across from Jessica and the others spoke up. “Mrs. Harmon, I thought it would be easy for you to get the shares back, but I see I was wrong.”

“And who are you?” Dustin asked coldly. He had noticed this man as soon as he entered the conference room and suspected he was the reason for Jessica’s sudden anger.

“I’m Williams, Brody Williams. I’m from the Boulderthorn Guild, and my father is the second-in-command,” the man said calmly.

“Mr. Williams is your father?” Dustin raised an eyebrow, surprised. He had met Oliver Williams earlier and realized that Brody was his brother.

“I’m sure you know how powerful the Boulderthorn Guild is,” Brody said as he lit a cigarette. He took a drag and waved his hand dismissively. “So, you have two options: hand over the shares and take the 50 million, or make an enemy out of me.”

“I won’t give up the shares unless Ms. Harmon asks me to,” Dustin replied coolly.

“Excuse me?” Brody’s face turned cold. “Do you even know what you’re saying, you brat? Have you considered the consequences of making an enemy out of the Boulderthorn Guild?”

“First of all, you don’t represent the Guild. And second, so what if I make an enemy out of you? Do you think the Boulderthorn Guild runs the world?” Dustin didn’t flinch.

“I admire your guts, brat. It’s been a while since someone dared to talk to me like that. But you’ll pay for your arrogance! And as for the rest of you,” Brody grinned menacingly at Jessica and the others, “if you don’t want to make an enemy out of the Boulderthorn Guild, you better show me some sincerity in forming an alliance. If this brat refuses to give us his shares, you all will have to pay the price. Either way, we’re getting our hands on 50 percent of Immortuncl’s shares!”

Jessica’s expression changed at his words, and so did the others. If Dustin refused to give up his shares, he would drag them down with him. The Boulderthorn Guild was cornering them.

“I’ve said everything there is to say,” Dustin continued.

“I’ll leave the final decision to you. See you later,” Brody said.

Dustin snorted and stood up. “Wait a second!” he called out.

Brody turned with a sneer. “What, changed your mind already? I thought you were tough, but it looks like you’re just a pushover.” It made sense, though. How many people in Balerno would dare to stand up to the Boulderthorn Guild?

“Good to see you still have some sense, Dustin. We could have avoided all of this if you had just agreed earlier,” Jessica said, relieved. Even the Harmon family didn’t want to cross the Boulderthorn Guild.

Quentin rolled his eyes. “So you were just pretending to be tough. You had to give in to the Boulderthorn Guild anyway, didn’t you? Stop acting like you’re such a big shot.” In his view, it wouldn’t take much for Brody to scare Custin.

“Brody Williams from the Boulderthorn Guild, right?” Dustin said as he stood up slowly. “Do you think you own this place? Did you ask me for permission to come and go as you please?”

Brody raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about, brat?”

“Do you really think you can just stroll in here, act all tough, and leave whenever you want? What makes you think you can do that?” Dustin shot him a fierce look.

Brody laughed and pointed at Dustin. “What, do you want to fight? Go ahead, I dare you to hit me—”

Before he could finish, a sharp slap to his face sent him flying. He spun through the air and landed headfirst in a huge vase in the corner. The vase was big enough for his entire body, leaving his feet sticking out of the top.

Jessica and the others stared in shock. Their jaws dropped, and silence filled the room.

The room was filled with a sudden presence.