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An Understated Dominance Chapter 1307
"It's been a long time since I've written anything, and I feel a little out of practice. I think I'll pass." Dustin shook his head.His handwriting could easily be recognized by those knowledgeable in the field.He wasn't exactly afraid of having his identity exposed now. But it would be a headache if certain people found out."Out of practice? Hmph! Just admit you can't!" Harper scoffed. "You clearly lack the skill, yet you insist on showing off. It's truly nauseating!""Alright. Calm down, both of you. Many people are watching. We don't want to turn into a joke." Brooke tried to diffuse the situation.While Dustin was undoubtedly skilled, criticizing the Kirin's calligraphy was a bit presumptuous."Hmph! If anyone's embarrassing themselves, it's this guy! How dare he insult the Kirin's work? Does he think us fans are a bunch of pushovers?" Harper glared at Dustin. "Alright, enough of this. It's just a piece of calligraphy. There's no need to bring down the mood for it," Cody
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1308
Even though Harper was talented, it didn't mean she could outshine everyone. After all, Oakvale was a place where elites gathered. It was a city with an abundance of talent. "Grandpa, I was renowned as a prodigy back in school. That title belongs to me, and no one can dispute it. I'm better off dead if I can't even win today's literary event," Harper said confidently."Why would you even say that?" Brooke frowned slightly."Master Busch, Harper is exceptionally talented and highly skilled in this regard. I believe she will do well," Cody said with a smile."Did you hear that? Even Cody thinks so. I'm going to be the standout performer today!" Harper added, her confidence reaching new heights. Brooke shook his head in resignation. Harper's arrogance would get her into trouble sooner or later. "It's almost time. Let's head upstairs," Cody said, leading the group to the second floor. Compared to the extravagance on the first floor, the second floor exuded an air of elegance an
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1309
"Ms. Camron, that's a bit too much," Cody finally spoke up. "Harper is my junior. It's not exactly appropriate for you to make that comment with me here, don't you think?" "Oh? Mr. Ostrower is here as well? My apologies." Lana feigned astonishment.She then continued with a sly smile, "It's no wonder Harper was able to get in. It turns out you were the one backing her. "I'm just curious, as the scion of a noble and respected family, how come you have such bad taste? You're actually attracted to this bland woman?""Hey! Who are you calling bland?" Harper was enraged at her words. She was about to act out but was quickly held back by those around her. The Camron family's influence was slightly stronger than the Ostrower family's. If Harper were to lay her hand on Lana, not even Cody would be able to get her out of trouble. "If you reacted, I guess I must be talking about you then. What about it? Do you have an issue with it?" Lana smirked, her gaze provocative. She thorou
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1310
Harmony Healers didn't earn much. They either treated the poor for free or only charged them the cost price of the medications. Despite their reputation, they struggled financially. One billion was an amount Harmony Healers would never earn in a lifetime. That was why Harper thought there was no harm in betting on it. It could change their fortune dramatically. "There are no absolutes in life. I will never allow you to risk Harmony Healers like that!" Brooke refused to give in. "Grandpa, why won't you trust me?" Harper was getting frustrated. "When those thugs were causing trouble, didn't you stake Harmony Healers too? You even did it on behalf of Dustin! Why are you willing to trust an outsider but not me? Why?" Harper was practically yelling by the end of it. "Kid, I had no choice back then. But you're just being willful now. You need to understand the difference," Brooke explained with a frown. "I don't care!" Harper wasn't listening to reason and was getting agitated.
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1311
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." As the literary event commenced, a fair, stout, middle-aged man went up on stage. Flashing a welcoming smile, he greeted the audience respectfully. "My name is Keanu Jankow, and I'm the manager at Regal Court. Thank you for gracing us with your presence tonight." Keanu continued with a smile, "It is once again the night of our quarterly literary exchange. Regal Court has selected a precious treasure from Treasure Pavilion to serve as the highlight of our evening and liven the crowd. "Of course, our primary goal is for everyone to engage in friendly literature discussions, not competition." "Mr. Jankow, what marvelous treasure has Regal Court prepared for us? Could you grant us a glimpse?" a man asked loudly."Yeah, we came here for the treasure. I hope it's worth it," many others echoed the sentiment. "Dear guests, please, be patient. I'll have it brought forth shortly for all to admire."Keanu nodded and signaled to the two men stand
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1312
Once the artwork's origin was revealed, the entire place buzzed with excitement.Most of the attendees present had a mild appreciation for the refined arts. And a legend like Andrei Walser was especially loved.Poetry and painting were two different categories of art. Mastering one was already an incredible accomplishment. It was rare to find someone who excelled in both.Those who had mastered both the art of poetry and painting, like Andrei Walser, were virtually unheard of.Most importantly, he was an unconventional artist. He had a complete disregard for wealth and seldom created poems or paintings.That was the reason every one of his pieces was highly sought-after. Many VIPswith a penchant for art saw owning one of Andrei Walser's authentic pieces as a matter of great pride.Naturally, they were overwhelmed to witness his work in person in Regal Court."Dear guests, I believe all of you are aware of how rare it is to obtain Andrei Walser's authentic work. This is only poss
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1313
"Riddles?" The attendees were taken aback, exchanging glances in confusion.In the past, the competitions often revolved around poetry, chess, calligraphy or painting. Why did they suddenly shift to riddles?They had spent a considerable amount of money on poetry and literary talents. It was all to help them come out on top in today's competition. How could they suddenly change it to solving riddles? They had wasted all their efforts in ensuring they had an advantage. "Mr. Jankow, wouldn't it be better to have a poetry battle? You're making it difficult for us by changing the theme at the last minute," someone expressed their dissatisfaction. "Dear guests, please don't misunderstand. Regal Court decides on the theme of the night through a random selection. We weren't trying to make things difficult for anyone. "Please accept our apologies if you feel this has inconvenienced you." "Alright, enough with the complaints. We'll solve word riddles then. It shouldn't be any proble
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1314
"It's a grandmaster!" Harper declared confidently. "Only a grandmaster has the power to do everything that the poem mentioned.""A grandmaster? Are you sure?" Cody asked."Of course! How can a simple riddle stump me? I just needed to warm up my brain to get the answer easily." Harper was extremely confident."Harper is amazing, as usual. She solved the riddle in such a short time. As expected of the renowned prodigy!" Caldwell praised her. "That's right! With Harper here, we'll not only get our hands on Enchanting Elegance, we'll even earn a billion dollars!" The students of Harmony Healers were ecstatic. "Hah … It's just a riddle. It's hardly a challenge. I can't even showcase my talents in this," Harper said arrogantly. Dustin could only shake his head and snigger lightly. Harper was so overconfident that she didn't even listen to the riddle carefully and misinterpreted the riddle. It was quite amusing. "Hey! What's so funny? Did I say anything wrong?" Harper had noti
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Chapter 2447
After hearing Nathaniel's words, Tristan's expression darkened. His brow furrowed as he sank into deep thought.It seemed he had underestimated the situation. He had assumed it was just a simple rivalry between brothers; he hadn't anticipated Seamus seizing the chance to further his own agenda.Seamus already wielded considerable influence. Under the guise of supporting Matthias' ascension to the throne, he had been forming alliances and recruiting talents. His influence had grown to rival the royal family's.If Seamus really supported Matthias' ascension, he'd overshadow the king, and no one would be able to stop him. The worst-case scenario would be Seamus using Matthias as a puppet to overthrow the House of Linsor."Nathaniel, is everything you said true?" Tristan frowned."Absolutely. Every word," Nathaniel replied solemnly. "Of course, if you don't believe me, you can send someone to investigate.""I believe you. But… taking down Seamus won't be easy. Do you have a plan?" Tr
Chapter 2446
An hour later, Nathaniel quietly entered a private mansion wearing a disguise.Inside the living room, Tristan had already prepared tea and refreshments. He looked as if he had been waiting for a long time."Sorry to have kept you waiting, Tristan." Nathaniel took off his coat and walked forward with a smile."No need to apologize. I'm happy that you made the effort to arrange this. A few extra minutes are nothing, especially since it's rare for us to meet." Tristan gestured for him to sit while he poured two cups of tea and handed one to his brother.Nathaniel accepted the cup and discreetly set it aside. Whenever he was out, he was always cautious about food and drink—this wariness had become second nature."You asked to meet me on short notice. Is this about official matters or something personal?" Tristan took a sip from his cup and got straight to the point."Both," Nathaniel replied, still smiling."Oh?" Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it, then.""Given how things
Chapter 2445
In another luxurious mansion in the Inner City, a female spy dressed in black, cloaked in a hood, was reporting the results of her investigation to Nathaniel."Your Highness, the Moseys have been particularly active recently and are rallying allies. Many of the eight great families and other influential factions have already allied with them. If left unchecked, they'll pose a serious threat to us," she said, kneeling with her head lowered slightly."So the Moseys are backing Matthias, huh?" Nathaniel sat quietly, his expression unreadable."The Moseys have grand ambitions. While they claim to support Prince Matthias, they're merely setting him up as a puppet to rise to power and expand their own influence," she revealed.She had been infiltrating the Moseys' mansion for years and had gained a deep understanding of their operations, from the smallest details to the key players.Though Seamus appeared as a benevolent philanthropist, it was all a façade. Behind closed doors, he was r
Chapter 2444
That night, two young men sat playing chess inside a secluded mansion in the Inner City. On the left was Anders, who had visited the Ballard estate earlier. Across from him sat Matthias, a broad-shouldered man dressed in richly adorned robes.The game was intense, with fast moves followed by moments of deep thought. About ten minutes later, Anders finally conceded defeat."Anders, you've really improved since we last played. You almost had me there," Matthias said, stroking his beard in mild surprise."You flatter me, Your Highness. My chess skills are nothing compared to yours. If you hadn't gone easy on me, I wouldn't have lasted half as long," Anders replied with a modest smile."You're as smooth with words as ever." Matthias let out a hearty laugh with a look of smug satisfaction. Winning was in his nature—whether in war or on the chessboard, defeat was not an option."Well, we've eaten, and we've played. Let's get to business." With a wave of his hand, he signaled his men t
Chapter 2443
"Honestly, we shouldn't waste time debating who's better suited to be king. We just need to figure out who's most likely to take the throne," Jensen said matter-of-factly.As a businessman, he only cared about maximizing profit. To him, it didn't matter who sat on the throne but who had the best odds. He felt that backing that person would be the wisest choice."Who's most likely depends on who has the strongest backing," Jonathan said thoughtfully."Oh, right! I forgot to ask—who are the Moseys supporting?" Jovian asked, smacking his forehead. They'd been discussing this for so long but still hadn't figured out where the Moseys stood."My guess is Prince Nathaniel." Jensen narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the situation. "He's close to Anders. With his immense potential and the king's favor, the Moseys might see him as their best bet.""Anders' personal ties can't speak for the entire Mosey family," Jovian countered, shaking his head. "Family interests outweigh personal relationsh
Chapter 2442
Even without the king's involvement, the ambitious individuals would tear the Ballard family apart and leave nothing behind.If Simon chose the right side and it prevailed, his family could enjoy a century of stability and prosperity. But if he backed the wrong prince, everything could fall apart in a single night.At that moment, he didn't know what to choose. This was a critical decision—one mistake and the entire family could be ruined."Regarding this matter, I need to think it over carefully. I can't give you an answer just yet," Simon said. He knew the stakes were too high. A single misstep could lead to disaster, so he had to be cautious."I understand," Anders replied with a faint smile. "This isn't an easy decision. Still, I hope Your Lordship can decide soon.""Your Lordship, the forces seeking a marriage alliance with the Mosey family aren't limited to your family alone," Zack added coolly. "Don't think you can afford to wait for the highest bidder. Time is running out,
Chapter 2441
"In response to Your Lordship's question, this marriage alliance between our two families isn't my decision alone—it's also my godfather's and the entire Mosey family's," Anders said with a smile."According to the established rules, marriages between royal bloodlines are forbidden. Have you forgotten?" Simon replied coolly. "Sticking to outdated rules only holds us back," Anders said, shaking his head with a smile.He continued, "Right now, Dragonmarsh is going through a turbulent time—internally and externally. I've also heard the king's health is deteriorating. There are rumors he plans to name a successor and step down soon."With that, Oakvale will likely be in turmoil. When that happens, all the powerful families—the four ancient houses, the eight great families, and other factions—will be dragged into the chaos."That's why I'm hoping our families can form a marriage alliance to navigate the coming crisis together."Simon remained calm and said, "It's natural for the king
Chapter 2440
"Dad, what do you think?" Jonathan asked, turning to Simon."A guest has arrived, so we can't be rude. Invite them to the living room so we can discuss things properly," Simon replied calmly.Anders represented the Mosey family, and regardless of his intentions, Simon couldn't simply turn him away. As for the proposed marriage alliance, it was a matter that required thorough consideration."Understood," the butler replied promptly before leaving."Go on with your meal. I'm going to meet with Anders," Simon said, excusing himself from the table.Jonathan, Jensen, and Jovian exchanged glances and, without hesitation, followed their father. They were curious to see what the Mosey family had in mind."Alright, let them handle it. Let's focus on our meal," Gemma Letcher, Natasha's grandmother, said with a smile and signaled everyone to continue eating.…Three minutes later, in the Ballard family's living room, Simon sat at the head of the table near the entrance. Jonathan and his b
Chapter 2439
After leaving Dash Corporation, Dustin and Natasha headed to the mall, where they picked out gifts for every member of the Ballard family. From the eldest to the youngest toddlers, no one was left out. Later, they stopped by an antique shop and chose a beautiful calligraphy painting as a special gift for Simon.By evening, Dustin had everything ready for his first visit to the Ballard estate, located in the heart of Oakvale's city center. The estate was a sprawling courtyard mansion built on a large plot of land.Simon, the Duke of Lachshire, had three sons and a daughter. His eldest son, Jonathan Ballard, was a third-ranked official in the government. The second son, Jensen Ballard, was a successful entrepreneur in the pharmaceutical industry in Oakvale, with billions in assets. Meanwhile, the youngest son, Jovian Ballard, had made a name for himself in the military and was now a third-ranked general.Simon's youngest daughter, Jessica—Natasha's mother—was highly favored with
