"What?" Eleanor's expression turned ugly as she watched the check burn. It was one thing to reject her offer, but setting the check ablaze was just an act of disrespect and humiliation toward her."Hey, Rhys! What's the meaning of this?" Ezra was upset by Dustin's actions. He yelled, "Eleanor was generous enough to give you money. Don't be ungrateful!""So just because you gave me money, I should accept it? What do you take me for? A beggar?" Dustin scoffed. His opinion of the Welch family had taken a nosedive. From the way Eleanor used him yesterday to the way the Welchs tried to kill him today, he finally realized the true nature of these people. "Hmph! Just look at your behavior; it's no different than a beggar." Ezra looked at him in disdain. "Another derogatory word from that mouth of yours, and I'll beat you up." Dustin's gaze grew colder. "You—!" Ezra was about to rip him a new one when Eleanor raised her hand to stop him.She stared at Dustin in silence; her eye
"Dr. Busch, selling Harmony Healers would be the wisest decision. Besides, aside from us, nobody else will buy it," Eleanor advised in a gentle tone. The Welchs and the Swansons controlled the entire South City. Who would dare take over Harmony Healers without their permission? "I'm not selling! Not over my dead body! Don't even think about taking Harmony Healers away from me!" Brooke yelled in frustration.He had dedicated more than half of his life to building Harmony Healers into what it was today. How could he bear to sell it, especially to these power-hungry individuals?He could tell that Harmony Healers would become nothing more than a money-making machine if it fell into their hands. That would completely tarnish its reputation!"You're not selling?" Ezra scoffed."Dr. Busch, it would be best for you to reconsider before answering. It wouldn't be wise to reject us.""I've lived long enough! My life is worthless anyway. I'm not afraid of you people!" Brooke screamed ag
"30 million?" Everyone present was stunned. They only realized it was Dustin who spoke out when they looked up at the source of the voice. "Bastard, what did you just say?" Ezra tilted his head, thinking his hearing had failed him.Eleanor was also frowning, looking extremely upset. "Dr. Busch, I'm willing to purchase Harmony Healers for 30 million."Not only that, I'll make sure that Harmony Healers will be rebuilt as is. You will continue to be the head doctor and oversee the management."Brook was stunned into silence, understanding the implications behind Dustin's words. This proposition allowed Harmony Healers to maintain its current glory while he continued its benevolent mission.Though he would forfeit any claim to its profits, that sum of money was insignificant in comparison to preserving the clinic's reputation and his own peace of mind. "D-Dustin, are you being serious?" Brooke was doubtful. "Absolutely." Dustin nodded firmly. "Harmony Healers exists to help
Dustin shook his head as he chuckled. Instead of explaining, he took out a red card. The front side of the red card featured a golden dragon that appeared powerful and intimidating. On the back of the card were two words in gold: Royal Empire. "This is the Royal Empire Card from Langford Bank. Only those with assets exceeding a billion are worthy of this card. "With this card alone, I can withdraw 50 million of cash from any bank in Dragonmarsh. So why don't you tell me? Am I able to afford Harmony Healers? Am I able to produce 30 million?"Dustin displayed the red card in his hands clearly, looking at them mockingly. "What? The Royal Empire Card from Langford Bank?" Everyone widened their eyes in disbelief. Langford Bank was Dragonmarsh's largest bank backed by the national treasury. It had multiple tiers of clients. They had executive-tiered clients, gold-tiered clients, platinum-tiered clients, black-tiered clients, diamond-tiered clients, and the highest-tiered, royal
"What? Prisoned for life?" Brooke's face paled, and he broke out in a cold sweat.Eleanor's threat had made him panic since he also doubted the card's authenticity. He didn't want Dustin to get into trouble because of him!"Dustin, you need to put that away before it gets you into trouble!" Brooke said in a hushed voice as he tugged at his sleeve. Destroying the fake card in time should help avoid any potential problems. "Rhys! You've got some nerve! You must be tired of living if you dared forge a Royal Empire Card!" Ezra's hostile gaze was fixed on Dustin. "Dustin, I'm giving you a chance to make amends. As long as you admit to your mistake, destroy that card, and leave this place, I'll pretend like nothing ever happened." Eleanor held her head high, and her tone was condescending."Why should I admit to a mistake? You're the ones too blind to recognize an authentic card. If you don't believe me, we can always take a trip to Langford Bank." Dustin was unfazed. Austin had giv
"Eleanor, don't think too highly of yourself. I couldn't care less about your so-called opportunity," Dustin responded coldly. From the moment Eleanor took advantage of him, and when Alistair and Joanne repaid his kindness with hostility, the relationship between the two sides had become irreconcilable. "Fine, since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for moving on from our past friendship!" Elearnor's expression darkened. "The same goes for you. If both your families continue harboring ill intentions, you'll bear the consequences!" Dustin retorted. "How stupid!" With a disdainful snort, Eleanor turned around and walked away. She was about to get into her car when a thought struck her. She turned back to jeer, "Oh, I forgot to mention. The Welch family and the Swanson family will be collaborating on the development and production of Dew Balm. "It won't be long before Dew Balm gains fame in Oakvale and the rest of the world, bringing us a continuous stream of wealth! "Of
"Dustin, you shouldn't have acted impulsively earlier. "I'm afraid it'll be difficult for you to remain in South City after provoking both the Swanson and Welch families." Brooke expressed his concerns with a soft sigh. "Dr. Busch, don't worry. I have someone backing me. It won't be easy for them to mess with me," Dustin smiled faintly."Backing? From who?" Brooke perked up immediately.He wondered where Dustin got the courage to challenge powerful and influential families. It turned out that he had someone behind him. It made sense when he thought about it carefully. How could he have acted the way he did without support? "That's a secret for now. You'll find out when the time comes," Dustin teased. He never took the Swansons or Welchs seriously. His intention was just to avoid any unnecessary attention and keep his identity concealed. He wanted to avoid catching the attention of certain forces and preferred maintaining a low profile whenever possible. After a strenuou
"Ms. Camron, I have a business proposal I'd like to discuss with you, one that's sure to be absolutely profitable." Dustin got straight to the point."Oh? What kind of business?" Lana was interested. "I can't explain it over the phone. Let's meet face-to-face at Regal Court in an hour," Dustin suggested."Alright, see you there."After hanging up, Dustin got into his car and left the house. With Maximus keeping guard at home, he didn't need to worry about what the Swansons and Welchs were up to. It was noon when Dustin arrived at Regal Court. He walked through the front doors and was led straight to the second floor by a waiter. He eventually ended up in a private room.Inside, Lana was sipping her tea leisurely in her tight-fitting red dress. She had put on light makeup and had a paper fan in her hand. Her long hair was tied behind her back, and her red dress accentuated her voluptuous figure, making her exceptionally alluring. Her long, pale legs that were crossed were pa