An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2548

Dustin silently agreed with Felicia’s words.

He had expected Nathaniel to use the situation as a pretext to cause trouble—perhaps even place him under house arrest to keep him from leaving.

But to his surprise, Nathaniel did nothing of the sort. Instead, he offered Dustin one of the most admired women on the Beauty Ranking.

Clearly, he was trying to establish a friendly relationship. Whether there was a deeper motive behind the gesture didn’t matter for now. From Dustin’s perspective, the outcome worked in his favor.

“Forget it. We’ll talk about it later,” Dustin said.

He didn’t dwell on the matter and left the mansion with Felicia. Time was short, and he couldn’t afford delays.

He needed to follow Grace’s plan and use the Dracan essence to enhance his cultivation before the two royal gods from the Hall of Gods arrived.

Leaning back against the plush seat of a sleek luxury car, Dustin stared out at the blur of scenery passing by, his expression tense.

Felicia, dressed in striking red, sat elegantly beside him. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with hesitation and hope.

“Mr. Rhys,” she said softly, “I have nowhere else to go. From now on, I want to follow you.”

Dustin frowned and turned to glance at her.

Her head was bowed, long lashes casting shadows over her delicate face. Her rosy lips were pursed into a subtle pout, full of restrained emotion.

He rubbed his temples.

Felicia was clever and calculating, and he still didn’t know Nathaniel’s true intentions. Taking her along might complicate things. But remembering how she had once helped him, he couldn’t bring himself to turn her away.

He shook his head and said, “Ms. Thorns, someone like me is always on the move. I’ve made more enemies than allies. Staying by my side would only put you at risk. I don’t think that’s wise.”

“You’re trying to send me away, aren’t you?” Felicia said. “It may have seemed like I lived well at Nathaniel’s mansion, but I was trapped—like a bird in a cage, bound by endless rules.

“I finally escaped that torment. I was excited to be free and to follow you. I didn’t expect you to be so cold.”

She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with tears. Her voice quivered with emotion, and her expression was heartbreakingly pitiful.

Dustin quickly explained, “You’ve misunderstood. I’m not trying to push you away. It’s just… the situation is complicated. I’m dealing with a lot right now, and I don’t want to drag you into this mess.”

A flicker of mischief flashed in Felicia’s eyes, though she kept up her act of vulnerability as she leaned closer to him.

In a low, sultry voice, she said, “Mr. Rhys, I’m not afraid of trouble. When I first saw you, I knew you weren’t like other men. There’s something different about you—a sense of purpose, a fire.

“I’m willing to follow you, share your burdens, and face any danger by your side.”

Her voice was soft and melodic, laced with a gentle allure. Her warm breath brushed against his cheek, and for a moment, the air between them grew charged.

Dustin leaned back, quickly putting distance between them as he cleared his throat twice.
“Ms. Thorns, it’s not as simple as you think. The problems I’m facing are far greater than anything Nathaniel is dealing with.

“Of course, I haven’t forgotten what you’ve done for me. I’ll help you find a safe place to settle and make sure you’re well taken care of—with enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”

Seeing Dustin’s reaction, Felicia didn’t push further. She nodded and replied, “I’ll do as you say, Mr. Rhys.”

She understood that pressing her intentions would only push him away.

Though she admired a remarkable young man like Dustin, they were still strangers who had only recently met.

Felicia wasn’t the type to chase someone with blind desperation. With her beauty and intelligence, finding a promising suitor wouldn’t be difficult.

Still, if a chance to grow closer to Dustin ever came up, she wouldn’t let it slip by. After all, very few in Oakvale could capture Nathaniel’s attention the way Dustin had.

About half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of a luxury hotel—one of Grace’s properties, supported by government connections.

It was the perfect place for Felicia to stay for now, as it would minimize unnecessary trouble. A woman with her looks—especially one ranked on the Beauty Ranking—was bound to attract attention. Without powerful protection, she’d be an easy target for entitled rich heirs.

Once she was settled in, Dustin returned to the car and headed to Soluna Hall, where he and Grace had agreed to meet once his mission was complete.

Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled up at the entrance.

Everything had already been arranged, so Dustin entered without any delays. He crossed the lobby and made his way to the rear garden.

He approached the same private room as before. Inside, Grace was already waiting.

He pushed open the door and saw her sipping tea. Without a word, he stepped forward and placed two ornate boxes containing the Dracan essence on the table.

“Mission accomplished. I’ve retrieved the item,” Dustin said.

“I expected it to take you at least three days. Honestly, I’m impressed. That deserves a celebration,” Grace replied with a smile.

She poured him a cup of tea and slid it across the table. It was still warm—just the right temperature to drink.

Now that all five Dracan essences had been gathered, their plan could finally move forward.