Chapter 205
Author: Marina Vittori
Dahlia frowned slightly, slowly coming back to her senses. Looking at Florence hop around energetically, she was astounded. "Mom, I thought you said you broke your hands and feet? How can you still stand?"

"Huh?" Florence's face froze, and she forced a smile. "When I saw Julie, I got a little too emotional and temporarily forgot about the pain. I should lie back down and get some rest right away."

With that, she limped to the bed.

But those horrible acting skills fooled no one.

"Mom, are you actually fine and were just pretending to be hurt in front of me?!" Dahlia's face sank.

"How can I be fine? Didn't you see how Dustin hit me? Ouch … My head is starting to hurt again!" Florence held her head and began to put on a show again.

"You said you have a concussion and broken limbs. Well, where's the case file from the hospital? Show it to me!" Dahlia demanded.

"Well …" Florence and James both looked at each other, speechless.

Seeing their reaction, of course, Dahlia caught on.

"So
Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Related Chapters

  • An Understated Dominance   Chapter 206

    "D—Dustin Rhys? How could it be him?!" After learning the truth, Florence and the others looked at each other for a while, disbelief written on their faces.Never in a million years had they considered that it wasn't Matt who saved Julie, but the person they had dubbed ungrateful.This was simply a slap in the face!"So Dustin never framed Julie in the first place, and it was you guys … purposely slinging mud at him?" Dahlia stood rooted to the ground, expressionless.Her face was as white as a sheet."W—who slung mud at him? I bet he's feeling guilty because he knows what he did wrong, so he's trying to make things up to us!" Florence insisted stubbornly.She was used to bossing people around; of course, she would never admit that she had gotten the wrong idea about Dustin.That would be too humiliating."Mom, things have already come to this, and you still want to justify yourself?" Dahlia bit her lip. Even her heart was clenching."How am I justifying myself? If that Rhys b

  • An Understated Dominance   Chapter 207

    "Young man, I advise you to consider this carefully. I do not like to be rejected. If something catches my eye, I'll do anything to get it." Phineas began to ramp things up. "If you agree, then not only will you get the money, you'll also become a friend of the Laney family. If you ever run into trouble, our family will help you. Conversely, if you turn me down, you'll become an enemy of the Laney family. You have to decide for yourself whether you want to be our friend or foe."Dustin couldn't help but laugh when he heard that. "I don't like to be threatened. If you're going to speak like that, then we can only be enemies.""Hm?" Phineas' face darkened."Punk, are you sure you want to do this?""Of course." Dustin nodded."Hmph! Don't think you can go around fearlessly because you have the Harmons backing you. To tell you the truth, I have a hundred ways to deal with small fry like you. If you're going to remain stubborn, I don't mind playing this game with you," Phineas threat

  • An Understated Dominance   Chapter 208

    After hanging up, Dustin began to clean the medical center with Caitlyn.Although she didn't let out a word of complaint, Dustin could tell that the death of her pet cat had taken a huge toll on her.Her eyes were constantly red, and she was trying her hardest to cry without making a sound.This young woman had had such a tough life that she lived so pitifully and carefully that she didn't even dare to cry.She was such a good kid that it tugged at Dustin's heartstrings.The two of them worked together for a long time before the medical center was finally clean.After a few moments, a silver Bentley pulled up at the entrance.The door opened, and Natasha got out of the car, dressed in a red dress."Ms. Harmon?" When Caitlyn spotted Natasha, she immediately greeted her."Come on, Caitlyn, I've told you many times that you don't need to be so formal with me. You can just treat me as your sister." Natasha smiled, patting Caitlyn's head."Okay." Caitlyn nodded obediently, but it

  • An Understated Dominance   Chapter 209

    "A—AIDS?"Chloe was frozen in place, at a loss.She was truly shocked.Not only because Dustin hit the nail on the head for all the symptoms she was experiencing, but mainly because she had gotten a new boy toy a while back.When they were intimate, they hadn't used protection.Now, hearing his words, she couldn't help but panic a little."Dustin, are you … sure?" Natasha also looked surprised.AIDS was not a trivial matter.Could it be that this was Roderick's secret illness?"Although I can't be a hundred percent sure, I'm sure I'm not too far off," Dustin replied."You … You're bullshitting me!" Chloe shrieked. "I just had a medical checkup at the hospital this morning. How can I have AIDS? Stop trying to scare me!"It's up to you whether you want to believe me." Dustin shrugged his shoulders."Bastard, you're scaremongering and humiliating me in public. I've got to teach you a lesson! Wally, beat him up!" Chloe flew into a rage and ordered the young bodyguard standing b

  • An Understated Dominance   Chapter 210

    "Honey, why did you hit me?" Chloe cupped her face, looking hurt.The others also looked at each other, unable to comprehend what had just unfolded.No one expected that Big Bucks Brooks, the man who had always covered for his wife's behavior, would smack her with his own hand."See for yourself!" With a dark look, he threw the phone straight at Chloe.Chloe picked up the phone and took a look. Suddenly, her face turned ashen, as if she'd been struck by lightning.It was the medical checkup report from the hospital, and the diagnosis was indeed AIDS!"How could this happen? No, it can't be!" Chloe shook her head frantically in utter disbelief. "This medical report must have been falsified! Honey, I don't have AIDS, I really don't!""Are you still trying to defend yourself at this point?!" Roderick roared, his blood was boiling.Any man would not be able to stomach finding out they were cheated on.Even worse, his wife had contracted AIDS because of it.This was simply humilia

  • An Understated Dominance   Chapter 211

    "This young man must be the skilled healer you mentioned, Mr. Rhys, right? From what happened today, you do live up to your reputation," Roderick said."I only hope you won't take it too hard, Mr. Brooks," Dustin said.Any man wouldn't be able to handle hearing that he'd been cheated on."Speaking of, I should be thanking you, Mr. Rhys. If it wasn't for your sharp eyes, I don't know how long I would have been lied to." Roderick forced a smile.In this case, it was better to rip the bandage off.Although it was a bit humiliating, it still beat getting cheated on repeatedly."Mr. Brooks, forgive me for asking, but could the secret illness you've been suffering from be the same as your wife's?" Natasha asked tentatively. Typically speaking, if his wife got it, then Roderick must have caught it too."Um … I probably don't have it." Roderick looked slightly embarrassed. "To be honest, because of how busy I have been with work, I haven't slept with my wife for half a year.""That's

  • An Understated Dominance   Chapter 212

    Roderick stood there frozen, his face was pale.He'd experienced all kinds of hardships all his life, but at that moment, he didn't know what to do.He thought it was bad enough that he'd gotten cheated on.He didn't expect that there'd be a bigger "surprise" that followed.His son wasn't actually biologically his?This revelation was even more severe than finding out he was being cheated on! "Mr. Rhys, are … you sure?" Roderick's eye twitched. He was clinging to the very last glimmer of hope."Mr. Brooks, it's a hard pill to swallow, but based on your body's current condition, you lost your ability to have children a long time ago. If you don't believe me, you can go get tested yourself," Dustin said firmly. To be honest, he was starting to pity Roderick.Although he was swamped with riches, his wife had an affair, and his son wasn't his.This double whammy would have driven any ordinary person insane."Alright. Thank you, Mr. Rhys. There are too many people here. Shall w

  • An Understated Dominance   Chapter 213

    Despite running such a huge family business, Roderick didn't even have an heir now. It was truly a tragedy."Mr. Brooks, don't take it too hard. Although the knife injury damaged your fertility, it can actually be treated. Once you're recovered, you can have another son, or even ten! It won't be a problem." Dustin smiled as he attempted to cheer Roderick up."Really?" Roderick trembled, his face expectant.In the past six months, the main reason he hadn't slept with his wife was because he couldn't get it up.However, because of his dignity as a man, he'd always kept it a secret.So, to hear that he'd be able to rise up again, naturally, he was elated."Mr. Brooks, if I dare to say it, it means I can do it." As Dustin spoke, he took out a tablet and said, "This is Gemiphen, which I created. It helps clear up circulatory pathways and heal internal injuries. Give it a try.""Okay!" Without another word, Roderick took the Gemiphen and swallowed it.As soon as the tablet entered hi

Latest Chapter

  • Chapter 2530

    The next morning, Nathaniel was inside a lavish mansion. He was in his study, flipping through an ancient manuscript. One of his most trusted aides hurried in and lowered his voice, "Your Royal Highness, word just came in. Another trace of Dracan essence has been found."Nathaniel raised an eyebrow and closed the manuscript. "Where?""Our investigation shows it ended up in the hands of Logan Rhys," the aide replied."Logan Rhys?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes slightly and was surprised by the name.He had tried to win Logan over before and spared no expense, but never received a response. Later, he discovered that Tristan and Matthias had done the same.Fortunately, Logan still hadn't picked a side. He might be holding out for the best offer, but at least he hadn't shut the door on Nathaniel.With the Dracan essence in his hands, Logan had become an even more valuable target. In addition to the West Lucozian monarchy, Logan was an ultimate grandmaster, which made him worth recrui

  • Chapter 2529

    "Give me a moment to think," Dustin said.Grace's words sent him into deep thought.After all, carrying the fate of Dragonmarsh was no small burden. First, he had to be tough enough to handle it. Then, he needed the resolve to accept what came with it. Once he carried that burden, it meant taking on a heavyweight.He used to act on his own terms and do things as he pleased without worrying too much about the consequences. But once the nation's fate was involved, everything changed.Not that he had many options.Dustin could either hide in Sacred Wrym Summit and hope Arion would protect him, or take a risk and absorb the Dragonmarsh's fate to push through his cultivation's bottleneck. Between the two, he was leaning toward the latter."I can give your plan a shot," Dustin said suddenly. "But we're still missing a piece of the Dracan essence. If we're doing this, we need to find that last one first."Only once all five pieces of Dracan essence were united could he truly wield the

  • Chapter 2528

    "Royal gods? And two of them?" Dustin frowned at the news.His battle with Poseidon in West Lucozia had shown him firsthand that the Hall of Gods didn't send weaklings into the field.One royal god had already pushed him to his limit. If two came at him together, winning wasn't even the question. He'd be lucky just to make it out alive."That's right," Grace said solemnly. "The royal gods, Zeus and Hera, have crossed the border. They're even stronger than Poseidon. If they ambush you together, your chances are slim."She knew Dustin was strong, but he was still young. Moreover, Zeus and Hera weren't just anyone. They were world-class powerhouses. Surviving a fight with them would be next to impossible.The Hall of Gods had probably figured out how dangerous Dustin could become. If they had given him a few more years to grow, they might not have been able to stop him."Well, that complicates things." Dustin rested his chin in one hand with a thoughtful expression.Two royal god

  • Chapter 2527

    Soluna Hall had one rule—they wouldn't accept unfamiliar customers. They only served those they knew well or people introduced by someone they trusted. Every transaction required an appointment. Exceptions were made for urgent matters, but those came with an additional fee.When Dustin reached the entrance, two security guards stopped him. After stating his name and being verified by the guards, they let him through.Inside, a female attendant with a pleasant smile greeted him and led him across the main hall straight into the back garden. They passed a small fish pond and stopped in front of a secluded private room."This is Ms. Linsor's private reception area. Mr. Rhys, please come in," the female attendant said with a smile."She's not here?" Dustin asked curiously."She had something come up, but she'll be here soon. Please make yourself comfortable," the attendant said, still smiling."Alright then." He nodded and walked into the room.The room was spacious, with a vintag

  • Chapter 2526

    "You're wrong, Tristan," Matthias said with a meaningful look.He continued, "Sure, I've got the Moseys to back me, but I'm still far from securing the throne. Nathaniel's got strong backing too, and this won't be an easy win. But if you were to support me, I'd say my chances shoot up to 80%."In his eyes, Tristan's support was worth more than the Ballard family.If he could win Tristan over, his odds would jump from 60% to nearly 80%. The only question now was whether Tristan would be willing to shelve his own ambitions and place his bet on Matthias."You know me, Matthias. I've never been one for ambition or glory. This kind of power struggle just isn't for me. I hope you can understand that," Tristan said.After thinking about it thoroughly, he finally turned his brother down. He knew his chances of winning were slim, yet he couldn't let go.Tristan was the eldest legitimate son, the rightful and undisputed heir to the throne. Aside from his poor health, he had no real shortco

  • Chapter 2525

    Tristan, Matthias, and Nathaniel weren't fools. They understood the unspoken message loud and clear.Their purpose for this trip was to take advantage of the opportunity to offer their condolences and win the Ballard family's support. Should it work, all the better. If not, they'd at least make a good impression. The key was that as long as the Ballard family didn't pick a side or turn against them, there was still room to make things work. No need to rush into anything.Tristan spoke first. "You're being too kind, Duke of Lachshire. We've always admired Mr. Jovian's loyalty and courage. We're simply here to pay our respects—nothing more."Matthias added, "That's right. Your family has a lot to deal with right now. Plus, you're not as young as you used to be, so don't wear yourself out over this. We won't take up more of your time today."He gave a respectful nod, then turned to leave."Duke—"Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, but Tristan interrupted. "That's enough, Nathani

  • Chapter 2524

    "Oh? I didn't expect both of you to be here," Nathaniel said.He was just about to pay his respects when he spotted Tristan and Matthias inside the mourning hall. He gave a respectful nod and said, "Hello, Tristan, Matthias."Truthfully, he wasn't surprised. He had already guessed they would show up.The four ancient houses and the eight great families were all key players he needed on his side. And with the Ballard family still undecided, he wasn't about to miss the chance to make an impression."I heard you left Oakvale on official business. Funny how quickly you came back," Tristan said, his tone laced with meaning."It wasn't anything important. When I heard about Mr. Jovian's passing, I returned immediately. I wanted to pay my respects in person," Nathaniel answered smoothly, without missing a beat.He brushed off Tristan's subtle jab and used the moment to show the Ballard family he was genuinely there to pay his respects."Don't just stand there, Nathaniel. Go pay your re

  • Chapter 2523

    "Your Royal Highness, it's an honor to have you here," Jonathan said.Upon seeing the distinguished guest arrive, he quickly pulled himself together and aside his grief. He led his family to greet Tristan, and they bowed in respect.Before they could finish the gesture, Tristan raised a hand to stop them. "No need for such formalities," he said. "The deceased deserves our respect."He turned to Jovian's portrait, which was displayed in the mourning hall, and sighed deeply.Tristan continued, "Mr. Jovian's untimely passing is truly a great loss to Dragonmarsh. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to your family during this difficult time."Jonathan's eyes were filled with tears as he bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kind words. My family is heartbroken over my brother's tragic death."Tristan nodded slightly. His gaze quickly swept across the hall before asking, "I've heard that Duke Lachshire fainted from grief. How is he doing now?"Jonathan

  • Chapter 2522

    The unrest in West Lucozia finally ended with the capture of Warrick.Every official who was his accomplice was thoroughly investigated. Those who needed to be arrested were taken into custody, and those who deserved to be punished were executed.After the purge, more than 300 officials in West Lucozia were removed from their posts. Those guilty were arrested, and those whose crimes were severe were executed.Under Austin's iron-fisted reforms, West Lucozia's government underwent a complete overhaul. Corruption, bribery, and the tangled web of illegal deals were swept away like dust in the wind.The citizens quickly noticed the difference. When they visited government offices, they no longer faced delays, refusals, or demands for bribes.Long-neglected public issues began to move forward, thanks to the organized efforts of newly appointed officials. Things were improving across the board.Instead of fearing the crackdown, the citizens welcomed it. The corrupt officials who had dr

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App