Chapter 13
Author: Marina Vittori
The hall where the event was held had become lively. On the stage, a group of dancers dressed in vintage clothing danced to classical music. Every facial expression and move was full of charm and grace, leaving a lingering impression in the audience's mind.

Below the stage sat a crowd of well-dressed celebrities. While some clinked their glasses and chatted, others quietly enjoyed the performance. Dustin had found an empty seat and sat down, sipping on a glass of juice as he watched the show.

"Yo, Rhys! Didn't think you would actually sneak in here!"

Suddenly, a discordant voice disrupted Dustin's moment of peace. Glancing over at the source, Dustin spotted Chris and Dahlia together with the secretary.

"Hmph, what an unlucky day. Why are you everywhere?" Lyra huffed in annoyance.

Dahlia didn't say a word. She threw a cold glance at Dustin and went to take a seat in the front row.

"Hey, the charity auction is starting soon. Can you even afford to participate? Why are you sitting here?" Chris jeered.

"Who says I can't sit here because I can't afford it?" retorted Dustin.

"That's the rule! How can a sucker like you sit with us?" Chris said with a contemptuous look.

"Are you deaf? Get up now!" Lyra kicked the chair Dustin was sitting in.

"What happens if I don't?" Dustin looked up at him.

"I'll call the guards to kick you out!" threatened Lyra.

"Go ahead and try," Dustin responded with an unbothered expression.

"Fine, you asked for it! Don't blame me when you get humiliated!" Just as Lyra wanted to raise her hand and call for the guards, Dahlia stopped her.

"Cut it out. Let him be."

"But…" Lyra frowned.

"Mind your own business," Dahlia simply replied.

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky."

Lyra glared at Dustin and left it at that. At this moment, her phone rang. After answering the call, her expression froze and the arrogance on her face was quickly replaced with horror.

"What's wrong?" Dahlia asked upon sensing something amiss.

"Ms. Nicholson… it's… it's bad!" Lyra blurted nervously. "I just received a tip-off that the Harmon family wants to remove the Jackson Group from the candidate list!"

"What?" Dahlia's face fell at the news. "Are you sure the tip is reliable?"

"It should be. My friend overheard it at work!"

"How could this happen?" Dahlia's expression was awful. After all, she'd expended great effort in getting the Jackson Group on the candidate list. Not only were large sums of money involved but she even owed countless favors over this.

She thought that since they passed the preliminary screening and got on the list, she could effortlessly secure the position of the Harmon family's partner as long as she met with the Steel Lady beforehand.

Who knew that they would get removed at the very last minute? It was so sudden that Dahlia couldn't comprehend what had happened.

"Ms. Nicholson, what do we do now? If we make it on the candidate list, all of our hard work will be in vain!" Lyra lamented unhappily.

"Let me think…" Dahlia's brows furrowed as she fell deep in thought.

Working as the Harmon family's partner, they would be able to elevate their social status while making extra profits. Although the Jackson Group had grown quickly over the years, it lacked a solid foundation. Hence, if they could join the Harmon family's business venture, they would have sure backing. Dahlia was so close to tasting success, yet everything had come to naught.

"Mr. Rhys." Just then, a manager from the Harmon family walked up to Dustin's side and handed him a folder. "The Steel Lady wants you to review these documents and make the final decision."

"Hmm?"

Dustin took the folder and his expression became a little strange. He was looking at documents consisting of Dahlia and the Jackson Group's information. Natasha was indirectly making him choose to whether kick them out of the candidate list.

"What the hell is she planning?"

Dustin held his chain while thinking, feeling some uncertainty. Needless to say, Natasha was doing this on purpose. She wanted the power in deciding the fate of Dahlia's company to fall on him.

After thinking it over, Dustin chose not to remove them. Although they were divorced, their relationship wasn't as bad as to require revenge. Besides, they had been married for three years. One way or another, he genuinely hoped that Dahlia would do well in her life.

"Mr. Rhys, are you sure about your decision?"

The manager couldn't help asking because he knew that Natasha wasn't fond of Dahlia.

"Yes." Dustin nodded.

"Okay. We'll do as you say."

After giving him a polite smile, the manager promptly left with the documents. Deep down, however, his impression of Dustin dropped slightly. To him, this was Dustin's best window of opportunity to gain Ms. Harmon's favor. Meanwhile, in the front-row seat, the clueless Dahlia and Lyra were still worrying about the matter. Based on their status, they weren't qualified to change the Harmon family's decision.

"Ahem…" Chris suddenly cleared his throat to get their attention before saying, "Dahlia, if you're worrying about the candidate list, I might be able to help."

"Really?" Lyra lit up at once and asked hurriedly, "Mr. Nolan, how can you help us?"

"To be honest, my father has some connections with Old Mr. Harmon. As long as my father makes the request, I believe the Harmon family will do something about it."

"Is that so? That's awesome!" Lyra was filled with excitement as she said, "Mr. Nolan, if you can help us with this, you will be our greatest benefactor!"

"It's not a big deal. I'll make the call now."

Chris laughed heartily, then dialed his father's phone number to briefly explain the situation.

"Alright, I got it. I'll talk to Andrew when I have time," Chris' father, David, agreed perfunctorily and hung up the call. Thinking that he'd solved the problem, Chris started to claim credit and said, "My father has agreed to help. You guys don't have to worry. It'll be over soon."

"Great! Mr. Nolan, thanks to you, we can rest assured."

Lyra sighed in relief.

"Thank you, Mr. Nolan," added Dahlia.

"It's a small matter. Don't worry about it."

Chris pretended to wave his hand generously. Then, he looked toward Dustin with a provocative gaze. Dustin was enjoying his juice, completely ignoring Chris. At this moment, Dahlia received a phone call. Taking out her phone, she realized that it was from the general manager of Harmon Group.

"Hello, is this Ms. Nicholson? I have good news for you. The top management has decided to appoint you as the Harmon family's partner."

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    "We were chosen?" Dahlia was shocked. She couldn't believe his words. The general manager wasn't talking about her place on the candidate list, but was referring to their appointment as the Harmon family's partner! They’d even skipped the final assessment. What was happening?"Did you mean what you said?" Dahlia questioned tentatively."Of course. If you don't believe it, you may come to our office tomorrow to sign the contract. I have other things to attend to, so I'll hang up now." After saying a few words, the general manager ended the call.Dahlia on the other end was feeling both astonished and delighted. Never had she expected things to go so smoothly. A few moments ago, the Jackson Group was just about to get removed from the candidate list but in the blink of an eye, they had become the Harmon family’s partner. Everything was happening too abruptly.Of course, it must've been due to Chris' help that she was able to make it this far. The Nolan family's influence was surprisi

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    Never in Dustin's wildest dreams would he think that was how Dahlia viewed him. She had no faith in him at all. As it turned out, three years of marriage meant nothing when compared to an outsider."You're right. I'm despicable, while Chris is a hero. I slandered him. Are you happy now?" Dustin said self-mockingly. It was pointless to defend himself when there was no trust to begin with."What's with your attitude? Are you saying I'm accusing you?" Dahlia frowned."Not at all. I'm the one to blame for badmouthing a good person," Dustin replied curtly. "You're so stubborn!" His words angered Dahlia. She never knew that Dustin would act like this out of spite and refuse to admit his mistake. Was he finally showing his true colors after their divorce? "It's all right, Dahlia. Don't get too worked up." At this time, Chris put up a pretentious act of kindness and said, "Dustin must be doing this because he doesn't like that I'm too close to you. I don't blame him. Everyone makes mist

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    “Then go to die!” Dustin stated expressionlessly, but his hard gaze was unnerving.“Go to thell?” Edward burst out laughing.Even the group of bodyguards standing behind him burst into laughter; all of them looked at Dustin as though he were an idiot.“You little punk! Don’t you know who I am? You’ve got some nerve speaking to me that way,” Edward said cockily.“I don’t know who you are, and I couldn't care less. You have three seconds to let her go, or else,” Dustin stated plainly.His words instantly caused a stir; even the people who were holding Dahlia were shocked.None of them expected that Dustin would say such a thing; he was remarkably brave compared to the silent Chris.However, such bravery was useless.“You really don’t know what’s good for you. You’re going to die!” Chris’ face was full of resentment because Dustin’s show of bravado only made his cowardice even more apparent.Naturally, Chris was irritated and even filled with resentment when a good-for-nothing l

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    “Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and beg Mr. Spanner for forgiveness!” Chris chimed in, taking advantage of the situation to add to Dustin’s humiliation.Chris was green with jealousy when Dustin was showing off earlier, so he was now trying to get some payback.“Will he kneel? Or will he not? If he does, he will forever be too ashamed to show his face. But if he doesn’t, he might be dead or maimed once Edward retaliates,” Chris thought.“Hey punk, don’t say I didn’t give you a chance to make amends! I’ll spare you if you grovel at my feet today. If not, don’t blame me for being merciless.” Edward jabbed Dustin’s chest with his finger with a smug expression on his face.“What does it matter if he knows how to fight when he has no power and no status? In the eyes of the public, he’s nothing more than a foot soldier,” he continued mentally .“Are you aware that you’re playing with fire?” Dustin asked as he looked at Edward’s finger.“Playing with fire?” Edward smirked. “N

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