An Understated Dominance - Chapter 381

“Why? Just why!” Jayla felt a wave of jealousy wash over her. If she had known that the gemstone she sold was hiding a priceless treasure, she would have never let it go. Now, it had ended up with a simple country guy! What a huge loss for her!

“What a surprise! This is amazing!” Dustin held the Flower of Crimson Gem high, a big smile spreading across his face. From the first moment he saw the gemstone, he felt it held something special. And now, he had discovered a true treasure.

The Flower of Crimson Gem was not just any flower; it was extremely rare. Usually, you could only find it in red gemstones. Today, the red gemstone up for auction was indeed a Crimson Gem.

Earlier, he had felt regret about missing out on a 900-year-old green lotus. But finding the Flower of Crimson Gem felt like a blessing and a wonderful surprise. At least his trip wasn’t a waste.

“Ms. Grant, don’t you think paying two billion dollars for this precious item is a great deal?” He looked at her and grinned. “Maybe it’s you who’s the real fool here.”

“You…” Jayla was at a loss for words. The harsh things she had said to them earlier now echoed back to her. She had spent three billion on something mediocre, while Dustin had paid only two billion for an invaluable treasure. The difference was infuriating!

“Ms. Grant, thank you for this treasure. I hope to see you again soon.” Dustin smiled and got ready to leave.

“Wait!” Jayla called out suddenly. “Did I say you could go?”

“Hmm? Are you going to treat us to a meal?” Dustin teased with a smile.

“Stop joking. I want that Flower of Crimson Gem! Name your price!” she demanded angrily. She wasn’t about to let it go.

Dustin firmly shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I’m not selling it.”

“Not selling?” Jayla scoffed. “Let me be clear. I want it, so you will sell it to me, no matter what.”

Dustin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? Since when is that how things work?”

“Just be quiet! My word is the law here!” Jayla shot him a fierce glare. “Don’t make me look like a bully. You paid two billion for it, right? I’ll buy it back from you for the same price! You won’t lose anything!”

Dustin smiled, amused. Did she really think he was foolish enough to sell a two-billion-dollar treasure for the same amount?

“And what if I don’t?” he asked.

“Then you’ll face the consequences!” Jayla warned, her determination showing. She needed the Flower of Crimson Gem to help her brother improve his martial arts skills. She was willing to set aside her pride for that.

“It’s a priceless treasure!” she insisted.

“Damn it, that guy spent only two billion on the Flower of Crimson Gem. What a lucky guy!” murmured some in the crowd, their eyes filled with greed and envy. A few even started to plot in secret.

“Flower of Crimson Gem? How is this possible?” Jayla was taken aback, staring in disbelief.

The Flower of Crimson Gem was an extremely rare treasure, much more valuable than a thousand-year green lotus. Who would have thought she would find it in a place like this?

The truth was, the Grant family had discovered that red gemstone, and Jayla had personally delivered it to the auction.

Jayla couldn’t believe it. She had given away something incredibly valuable without realizing it.

“Why? Just why!” she thought, filled with jealousy. If she had known the gemstone was hiding such a treasure, she would have never sold it. Now, it was in the hands of someone she considered a simple country boy. What a waste!

“This is amazing! What a blessing!” Dustin exclaimed, holding the Flower of Crimson Gem in one hand and grinning widely. From the moment he saw the gemstone, he sensed it was special. Now, he had found a true treasure.

The Flower of Crimson Gem was no ordinary item; it was extremely rare and typically found only in red gemstones. Today’s auction featured a Crimson Gem, and it was exactly what he had hoped for.

Earlier, he had felt upset about missing out on a 900-year-old green lotus. But now, finding the Flower of Crimson Gem felt like a wonderful surprise. At least his trip wasn’t in vain.

“Ms. Grant, don’t you think two billion dollars is a fair price for this precious item?” he asked, turning to Jayla with a smile. “Maybe you’re the real fool here.”

Jayla was stunned. The harsh words she had thrown at them now felt like a slap back at herself. She had spent three billion on something that turned out to be worthless while Dustin had paid just two billion for a treasure. The difference was infuriating!

“Ms. Grant, thank you for the treasure. I’ll see you again soon,” Dustin said with a smile as he got ready to leave.

“Wait!” Jayla called out suddenly. “Did I say you could go?”

“Hmm? Are you going to treat us to a meal?” Dustin replied playfully.

“Stop joking. I’m taking that Flower of Crimson Gem back!”

“Gem! Name your price!” Jayla shouted angrily. She wasn’t going to let go of such a rare gem easily.

Dustin shook his head. “I’m sorry, I’m not selling it.”

“Not selling?” Jayla scoffed. “Let me be clear. Since I want it, you will sell it to me, no matter what.”

Dustin raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Since when is that the rule?”

“Shut up! My words are the rule!” She glared at him. “I’m not trying to bully you. You bought it for two billion, so I’ll buy it back for the same price! You won’t lose anything!”

“And if I refuse?” Dustin smiled. Did she think he was foolish enough to sell a two-billion-dollar gem for the same amount?

“Then you’ll face the consequences!” Jayla threatened.

She needed the Flower of Crimson Gem to boost her brother’s martial arts skills. That was why she was willing to do anything to get it, even if it meant sacrificing her pride.

Chapter 381

“How disappointing. The Grant family doesn’t seem to be very impressive,” Dustin said, shaking his head.

“I’ll say it again. I’m not selling the Flower of Crimson Gem. If you try to take it from me, don’t blame me for what happens next.” With that, he walked away, Roderick following closely behind.

“Hmph, we’ll see who has the last laugh,” Jayla sneered as she pulled out her phone to make a call.

In the entire Southern Province, it was rare for someone to not give in to the Grants. Since Dustin didn’t want to part with his treasure, he couldn’t blame her for whatever happened next.

Just as they left the auction house, Dustin noticed they were being followed. He had to admit, the Grants were efficient. This didn’t seem like their first attempt.

“Mr. Rhys, it looks like we have some unwanted company,” Roderick said, also spotting the tail.

“No need to worry,” Dustin replied.

“Let’s just leave quickly,” Dustin said, not wanting to deal with them. He was ready to go, but things took an unexpected turn. As they walked down an alley, a group of masked men suddenly surrounded them. There were about 20 to 30 of them, all armed.

“Hey, punk! I heard you have something valuable. Hand it over, and maybe I’ll let you two walk away alive!” shouted the leader, waving a knife.

“Do you mean this?” Dustin pulled out the Flower of Crimson Gem.

The leader’s eyes lit up with greed. “That’s it! Give it to me now!”

“Come and take it if you can,” Dustin replied, putting the gem back in his pocket and beckoning them forward with a finger.

The leader’s face darkened. He felt humiliated. “Die, punk! Get him! We need that item!” He ordered his men to charge.

Dustin smiled slightly and flicked his wrist. Silver needles shot out, making sharp whistling sounds as they struck the men’s acupoints. In an instant, they froze, weapons still raised, unable to move anything but their eyes.

“What?” The leader felt a surge of fear as he saw his men immobilized. Suddenly, another silver needle struck his neck, bringing a numbing sensation that he couldn’t shake off. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t escape.

“W–who are you?” he managed to ask, struggling for words.

“I’m in a good mood today,” Dustin replied coolly as he walked closer. “Tell Jayla to stop provoking me. If she doesn’t, she won’t be able to handle the consequences when I decide I’ve had enough.” With that, he walked away confidently, followed by Roderick.

After 15 minutes, Jayla arrived at the scene and frowned. Dustin was missing, and her bodyguards stood frozen in place.

“What happened? Where’s my Flower of Crimson Gem?” Jayla asked, her voice firm.

The leader of her bodyguards looked helpless as he replied, “Ms. Grant, he’s too strong. We can’t handle him.”

“What a bunch of useless trash! What am I paying you for if you can’t deal with some country bumpkin?” Jayla snapped at them.

They lowered their heads, unable to respond.

“Where did they go?” she demanded.

The leader thought for a moment. “I don’t know. But from their accents, they’re probably from Swinton.”

“Swinton?” Jayla narrowed her eyes. “I’m heading there tomorrow to ask for the bride’s hand for my brother. Since he’s from Swinton, I’m going to find him, no matter what!”

“Ms. Grant, he doesn’t seem like an ordinary person,” the leader warned.

“Hah! So what? Even if he had three heads and six arms, I’ll deal with him!” Jayla said confidently.

She lifted her chin, filled with determination. “Hey! What are you still doing standing there? Go back and get ready! We need to put on a good show for our journey to Swinton tomorrow!”