"You look pretty even when you were young." Dustin praised politely. Even though Lana captured everyone's attention now, she was obviously eye-catching since she was young."Well, the past is the past." Lana opened her fridge, turned around to look at Dustin, and asked, "Hey, Handsome, what do you want to drink?""I'm good with anything," Dustin replied."Alright then." Lana took out a dozen cans of beer and put them on the coffee table. She also put some snacks on the table to go with the beer."Here's to us!" Lana opened two cans of chilled beer and gave one to Dustin. After they chinked cans, they started drinking happily."This feels great!" Lana downed half a can of beer in one go. She smiled happily as her eyes crinkled in joy. The pleasure of having chilled beer on a hot summer's evening was beyond description."Hey, Handsome, what do you think of me?" Lana drank and asked with a smile."A kind beauty." Dustin gave her a simple answer. They had worked together seamles
While listening to Lana's story, Dustin couldn't help but be astonished. Despite their privileged lives, some daughters of wealthy families still had to contribute value to their families. Either they excelled in business, continuously earning profits for the family, or were strikingly beautiful, securing benefits through an arranged marriage. Women like Lana, both beautiful and outstanding, were crucial pawns for their families to climb the social ladder. Therefore, she couldn't decide her marriage on her own. After all, the Camron family relied on her, and she carried the weight of the entire family.Dustin finally understood why Lana was willing to endure gossip and tarnish her reputation. Ultimately, she had no choice, being forced into a situation beyond her control."Here, cheers," Dustin said, raising his can."Cheers!" Lana smiled, clinked their beer cans, and finished the remaining beer. She then opened two more cans, handing one to Dustin."I consider myself lucky t
As if it was a fairy tail, Natasha turned out to be the granddaughter of the Duke of Lachshire. Her newfound identity commanded respect, as Natasha effortlessly overshadowed Lana. For a moment, Lana couldn't shake the feeling of inferiority. However, realizing that such an outstanding woman had chosen Dustin, Lana felt reassured in her judgment."Honestly, it caught me off guard because I didn't know she was the Duke of Lachshire's granddaughter when I first met her," Dustin shrugged."So, you lucked out big time?" Lana teased."Something along those lines." Dustin chuckled without explicitly confirming or denying it."Cheers to you two and a whole life of happiness!" Lana raised her beer, clinked it with Dustin's, and then downed it in one go. The two continued their conversation over drinks, feeling even more at ease without the complexities of a romantic relationship.Lana had tucked away her feelings for Dustin deep in her heart. In the grand scheme of life, regrets were i
"Ms. Camron, don't move a muscle. You should be careful; bullets don't care who they hit." A chilling voice came from behind Lana.Lana turned around to the ominous sight of a gun barrel and a menacing face."Who are you? You think you can just waltz in here and stir up trouble in the Camron family?" Lana demanded, her tone firm."Ms. Camron, no need to get all riled up. We're just following orders," the gunman replied with indifference."Orders? Whose orders?" Lana pressed."Clearly, they're my orders."At that moment, a slim man in a suit, wearing a stern expression, entered the meeting room. It was Scott from the Mosey family."You?" Seeing Scott, Lana's expression shifted immediately. She had just escaped from the trouble at the slums. She didn't expect Scott to track her down so quickly."Ms. Camron, we will meet again." Scott grinned as he approached, lifting Lana's chin with his finger. "Quite the looker. I can't help but be a little intrigued.""Mr. Mosey, we haven't
Despite his smile, Scott looked far from trustworthy."What does Mr. Mosey want me to do?" Lana suddenly felt uneasy."Simple. Tomorrow, find an excuse to invite Dustin for dinner. Slip this bottle of Tranqurin into his drink. "Once it kicks in, you can bail, and I'll handle the rest," Scott explained, putting a black medicine bottle on the table containing Tranqurin. It was a drug designed to take down martial artist masters."Mr. Mosey, please think this through. Is it necessary to go this far?" Lana's face soured.Anyone could figure out what Scott was scheming. If she drugged Dustin, she'd be part of the scheme."Far?" Scott Mosey laughed, a mocking grin on his face. "Ms. Camron, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I made many other more ruthless plans; interested to hear them? "Like bankrupting your Camron family or framing you all and tossing you into prison. How about that?""Mr. Mosey, you're pushing it! Oakvale isn't a lawless place!" Lana was growing furious.
The Camron family instantly panicked as soon as Scott said those words. They had done nothing wrong but found themselves victims of this mess."Mr. Mosey! Mr. Mosey, please have mercy!" Corey pleaded, dropping to his knees in fear. "The Camron family has always followed the law. You can't just harm innocent lives!""Mr. Mosey! You're a person of great standing. Please spare us!" The Camron family members panicked and pleaded.However, Scott remained unmoved. He casually remarked, "Your pleas won't work on me. If you want mercy, ask Ms. Camron. Your fate rests in her hands.""Lana! What are you waiting for? Just agree!" Corey shouted in desperation, "Are you going to stand there and watch your loved ones die?""Uncle Corey! Dustin saved my life; I can't betray him!" Lana frowned deeply."Oh, screw that!" Corey erupted, "Our survival is more important! Dustin's life can't compare to the lives of your entire family!""Uncle Corey, our family is not insignificant. I refuse to believ
Another gunshot shattered the room, and another member of the Camron family fell to the ground.There was a growing pool of blood marking the tragic scene. The meeting hall exploded in shock, cries, and pleas for mercy. It became a chaotic mix of sobs, shouts, and desperate appeals."You heartless monster! I'll take you down!"Lana's eyes blazed with anger as she seized a knife from the floor and charged forward. Yet, Scott's bodyguards ruthlessly kicked her back down before she could rise."Ms. Camron, it seems these ordinary family members don't hold much weight for you compared to Dustin," remarked Scott, clapping his hands. Soon, two burly bodyguards dragged in a middle-aged man. It was Matteo, Lana's father."Dad!" Lana's expression instantly shifted when she was her father; fear etched all over her face. She didn't expect her father to be held hostage. It was a distressing turn of events."Ms. Camron, I'll give you credit for bravery, but if it comes down to choosing be
After a night without sleep, Lana reluctantly called Dustin. Then, she invited him for lunch at her place. Dustin, unsuspecting, agreed without hesitation. After ending the call, Lana slumped into a chair, her face pale and eyes lifeless. Her worn-out appearance was proof of her sleepless night."Lana, how'd it go? Did you get a hold of Dustin?" Matteo walked into the room.She didn't say a word and simply nodded. Matteo couldn't help but sigh as he observed Lana's depressed expression. He reassured her, "Lana, I understand you're upset, but we're out of options."We can't afford to mess with Scott. With the Moseys behind him, we can't risk crossing him. Many members of the Camron family are already in his hands. If we resist, they will end up dead."So, this time, we've got no choice but to play the bad guys." By the end of his speech, Matteo's expression darkened. He had a favorable view of Dustin—young, talented, and brimming with potential. Little did he expect Dustin to