An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2460
“Well… some things are better left unsaid, but I believe you understand what I mean,” Percival said seriously.
“I’m afraid I don’t, Mr. Wentworth. Please forgive my ignorance,” Jovian replied calmly.
“You…” Percival’s face darkened, realizing Jovian was pretending not to understand. At first, he thought Jovian could read between the lines, but now it seemed he was not taking the conversation seriously.
“Enough, Mr. Wentworth. Let me take over,” Warrick said, stepping in.
“Jovian, right? Let’s not waste time. We know why you’re here. The question is—what have you discovered?” he asked directly.
“And what information are you referring to, Sir Prescott?” Jovian responded.
Warrick slammed his hand down on the table, his expression darkening. “Don’t play dumb with me, brat. I don’t have time for games. If you don’t start talking, don’t blame me if I lose respect for the Ballard family.”
As he spoke, a heavy pressure filled the room, pushing down on Jovian.
To become a Major General in the State Guard of West Lucozia, one needed more than just a strong military background; they had to possess great personal strength. The force of Warrick’s presence was something few could endure.
Jovian felt as if a heavy rock was pressing on his chest, but he stayed calm and showed no fear. He picked up his teacup and took a slow sip, though the slight shake in his fingers revealed how much pressure he was under.
“Sir Prescott, is this a dinner invitation or an interrogation?” he asked coolly. “My family may not be one of the great families, but we won’t be pushed around. If this is how the conversation is going to go, I see no reason to continue.”
“Continue,” Warrick demanded, his glare intense and his voice booming like thunder. “How dare you speak to me this way? You’re just a low-ranking officer. Do you have no respect for authority? I could charge you with insubordination right now.”
“Insubordination?” Jovian let out a chuckle.
“First of all, you’re a Major General in West Lucozia, and I’m a government official in Oakvale. You have no power over me here,” he explained calmly.
“Secondly, we’re not in a government office; we’re in a restaurant. Rank doesn’t matter at all here. And thirdly, have I done anything wrong since I walked in? What grounds do you have to accuse me of insubordination?”
Warrick’s face twisted in anger. His chest heaved, his eyes blazed with fury, and an ominous energy filled the room.
The temperature dropped sharply, and frost began to form on the wine bottles on the table.
Huxley remained calm, but Percival was visibly shivering, though he didn’t dare to speak.
Jovian continued, “With your rank as Major General, you could easily make up a charge and throw me in a cell. I wouldn’t put it past you.”
His tone shifted slightly. “But before you do that, remember, I’m a guest of the castle. Tomorrow, I have a meeting with Lord Austin. If you arrest me tonight, how will you explain that to His Highness?”
Warrick’s expression darkened further. “Are you threatening me?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m just reminding you,” Jovian replied calmly.
“You’ve got some nerve,” Warrick snarled through clenched teeth, looking very threatening.
He hadn’t taken Jovian seriously before, but now he realized he had to think carefully about the consequences of acting too quickly. After all, Jovian was a direct government official.
Jovian was the heir of the Ballard family, making it difficult to justify detaining him.
Warrick realized that Jovian was right. He had been personally invited to the castle and had talked at length with Austin. If they arrested Jovian as soon as he left, Austin would definitely react strongly, especially given his temperament.
Even though Warrick was filled with anger, he knew he had to be careful. He had already made threats, and if Jovian didn’t back down, it would hurt his pride.
“Mr. Prescott, there’s no need to take this so seriously,” Huxley said quickly, sensing the rising tension. “We’re just here for a casual dinner, not an interrogation. Let’s not intimidate our guests. Please, have a seat.”
Huxley poured Warrick a cup of tea and turned to Jovian with a warm smile. “Mr. Jovian, he was just joking. No hard feelings, right? Here, have some tea.”
“Yes… just a joke,” Percival chimed in quickly.
Warrick shot them both a cold look but decided to step back without pushing the issue further.
None of them had expected Jovian to stand his ground like this or to dismiss their threats so easily. He not only handled their pressure but also responded with logic, leaving them unable to take any action against him.
If they had underestimated him before, they now saw that this seemingly ordinary middle-aged man was much stronger than they thought. In this first confrontation, they had been completely outmatched.