An Understated Dominance - Chapter 275

At a military base drill ground, Dustin was chained to a pillar with thick darksteel chains. The sun beat down on him as a group of armed soldiers watched closely, their eyes on his every move.

Dustin, however, appeared unfazed. He remained calm and collected, his expression unreadable. This surprised the soldiers. Most people would be terrified in his situation, but there seemed to be something different about him.

A man in a deputy general’s uniform approached, flanked by his soldiers. He had a round face and a noticeable beer belly. “So, you’re Dustin Rhys?” he asked.

“Don’t tell me you captured me without knowing who I am,” Dustin replied coolly.

“Cut the crap! Answer the general’s question!” shouted one of the military officers.

“Fine. Yes, I’m Dustin Rhys,” he said.

“Good, good,” the general nodded. “Now that we have the right guy, let’s start with 50 military whips. That should send a message to others like him.”

The officers around him flinched at his words. Military whips were no ordinary punishment. Just a few could knock someone out cold, and ten could leave a person near death. Surviving 20 was rare, and 50? That was unheard of. It seemed the general meant to kill Dustin.

“Wait,” Dustin interjected suddenly. “You’re a general, aren’t you? Don’t you think it’s a bit against protocol to whip me without asking a single question?”

The round-faced man looked down at him with arrogance. “My words are the only protocol here. I decide your fate, you understand?”

“Peasant! You don’t have the right to say no,” the round-faced man sneered.

Dustin narrowed his eyes. “I suppose that means you’re going to abuse your power.”

“So what if I am? I have hundreds of guns aimed at you. Do you really think you stand a chance against them?” the man scoffed.

Dustin shook his head. “Quality over quantity. Having that many guns doesn’t mean much.”

The man sneered. “Putting up a brave front, are we? You’ll regret this when you’re on the brink of death! Whip him!” He waved his hand.

A burly man approached, holding a steel whip that dripped with salt water, promising to make any wounds even more painful.

“I’ll ask you one last time. Who sent you here?” Dustin asked.

“I did!” A figure stepped out from behind the round-faced man and lowered her hood. It was Jade. “I bet you didn’t expect to end up in my hands, Rhys! You were so obnoxious last night, but now you’re nothing but my prisoner!” she sneered.

“What happened last night was between me and the Hummer family. I suggest you stay out of it,” Dustin replied coolly.

Jade scoffed. “Joshua is my fiancé. I want nothing more than to skin you alive for crippling him!”

“Joshua deserved what he got. You shouldn’t risk yourself over this,” Dustin said.

Jade laughed mockingly. “You don’t understand your situation. Your life is in my hands—how dare you threaten me!”

“Believe what you want. Just remember, you might regret this,” Dustin warned, not wanting to waste more words.

“Keep it up. I’d like to see how arrogant you are once you’re bruised and battered,” Jade shot back, looking at him as if he were already dead.

“Alright, enough talking. Jade, don’t waste your breath on him. Let’s just…”

“Sit and watch the show,” the round-faced man said, waving his hand. Soon, some military officers brought over a table and two chairs. The round-faced man pointed to a spot in the shade for them to be placed. Then he and Jade took a seat.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and whip him with all you’ve got!”

With that, the burly man began to work, starting to whip.