An Understated Dominance - Chapter 343

Ethan looked at the hunchbacked man in front of him, feeling terrified. He couldn’t bring himself to speak. This man, Rufus, was a noble from Stonia, someone even the king would respect. Ethan knew that Rufus could easily take their lives if he wanted to.

Dustin’s face darkened when he saw Rufus, anger shining in his eyes.

“This should be interesting,” Adam smirked, stepping back to watch the scene unfold.

As Rufus limped into the room, he seemed like an ordinary person, but the crowd instinctively moved aside to let him pass.

He finally stopped in front of Dustin. “It’s been a while. I didn’t expect you to grow this much,” Rufus said with a grin, revealing his broken front teeth, which made him look a bit silly.

“I didn’t expect you to still be alive,” Dustin replied coldly, his eyes sharp.

Ethan and Kingston exchanged shocked glances. They wondered who Dustin was to speak to Rufus like that.

Rufus laughed, not appearing angry at all. “They say good people die young, but bad ones like me live on.”

“Really? You don’t look like someone who will live long,” Dustin shot back.

“Hey! You can’t talk about your dad like that!” Rufus exclaimed.

“Why should I care what you think? Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Dustin retorted.

“Whatever you say, you’re still my son,” Rufus replied with a shrug.

“Hmph! I paid you back everything I owed you ten years ago. We’re done!” Dustin had held onto his grudge for a decade.

“Ten years have passed,” Rufus said, his tone changing.

Rufus shook his head, feeling helpless. He knew that the issues between him and his son wouldn’t be resolved quickly, but he was determined to make things right.

Just then, Luis’s impatience began to show. “Hey, old man!” he shouted. “I don’t have time for your father-son moments. If you don’t want trouble, you better leave now!”

Ethan and Kingston stood frozen, shocked by Luis’s boldness. No one in Stonia dared to speak to Rufus like that. They wondered if Luis had lost his mind.

Rufus glanced at Luis. “And who are you?”

“I’m Luis, from the Langford family,” he replied confidently. “Your son embarrassed us today, and he needs to pay for it! If he won’t kneel and apologize, then you have to do it for him!”

Rufus chuckled, seeming unfazed. “You want me to kneel?”

“Exactly! You’re his father!” Luis insisted.

“Do you even know who I am? I doubt you can afford to see me on my knees,” Rufus said with a smirk.

“I don’t care who you are! Even if the Emperor were here, he would have to kneel and apologize! If not, he’ll face consequences!”

As soon as Luis finished speaking, Kingston fainted right there.

Ethan’s face turned pale, and he began to tremble. “It’s over. We’re doomed. Why does the Langford family have such a fool?” he thought.

Rufus turned to Ethan, trying to keep his tone light. “Your family member is quite the character.”

Ethan stammered, unsure of how to respond.

Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but Luis interrupted him. “Hey! Who do you think you are, calling my uncle without any respect?”

“How should I address him, then?” Ethan asked.

“Call him Mr. Ethan!” Luis replied sharply.

Rufus laughed and looked at Ethan. “Mr. Ethan, is that how it’s done?”

As soon as Ethan heard this, he dropped to his knees. “I beg for your mercy, Your Highness!”

Everyone was shocked. Ethan was the head of the Langfords, and no one expected him to kneel like that.

“Uncle Ethan, what’s wrong? Why are you on the floor? Get up!” Luis said, reaching out to help him. But before Luis could touch him, Ethan slapped him hard across the face. “Don’t touch me! I want nothing to do with you! From now on, you’re no longer a member of the Langford family!”

“What?” Luis gasped, covering his red cheek. “Uncle Ethan, what’s happening? Why are you kicking me out? I’m your nephew!”

“Get lost! I don’t have a foolish nephew like you!” Ethan yelled, slapping Luis again. Even if it were his father who had offended Rufus, he would cut ties. He believed it was better to sacrifice one person than to put the whole family at risk.

“What’s going on?” Luis asked, nearly in tears.

“How dare you behave so disrespectfully in front of him?” Ethan shouted. “This is the Prince of Theswe! Even the Emperor can’t help you now!”

“What?” Luis stood frozen, disbelief washing over him. He never imagined this ordinary-looking man could be the Prince of Theswe.

“Wait… If he is…”

Luis couldn’t believe it. “Wait, Dustin is the famous martial artist Kirin? Oh no! What have I done?” he thought to himself.

Feeling weak, Luis collapsed onto the floor. Despair washed over him. Not only had he fought Kirin over a woman, but he had also insulted the Prince of Theswe by calling him an old man.

Could anyone be more foolish than him?