Upon arriving home, Dustin heard a familiar female voice. Eating sounded like a loud laugh. From afar, he already knew who the woman was inside.
Dustin stepped into the living room, and it turned out that his guess was correct. There was indeed a woman he knew, and it was Vera, Karina's best friend.Dustin also saw many paper bags in the store's name containing the luxury goods he had bought earlier. Some luxury clothes were already on the sofa.Dustin smiled as he approached Karina. "All the items are beautiful. Vera's eyes narrowed. "Haven't you ever seen luxury goods? These are all gifts from men who like Karina!""Maybe all these gifts were given by Justin. He's been after you for years, Karina." Vera looked convinced.Dustin grinned. "That guy couldn't have bought them.""All this expensive stuff was never given to you by the man who says he's your husband. What a piece of shit!""Isn't he ashamed of being such an embarrassing man? Even he's just living off of you," Vera insulted relentlessly, holding Karina's expensive bag with curious eyes."Look, Karina. Justin knows exactly how you like it. Not like that guy over there!" Vera glared at Dustin.Karina let out a long sigh. "Never mind, stop it. You're saying too much. Justin can't possibly like me. I already have a husband.""What? How could you possibly think that? You're a beautiful woman and can get any man. But instead, you got a poor, unemployed, useless husband who's just a burden in your life. Disgusting." Vera chuckled in annoyance."All these gifts are too much. Besides, it's too much, and I don't like it." Karina pushed some of the dresses on the sofa into a paper bag.Vera gaped. "What, how can you not like all this fancy stuff? Look at these bags and shoes; they're stunning, right?"Vera handed me a black bag with Swarovski on the side. "Look, you look great in it. Justin knows your taste. In stark contrast to that useless guy!"Dustin chuckled. "You seem to be the one who's happier than Karina to receive all these fancy gifts. You'll want to ask Karina for them, too, right?"Vera's eyes widened. She was angry because she felt insulted. "Insolent. Who are you to insult me like that? You loser dust!"Dustin was very familiar with Vera. That woman always wanted what Karina had. Dustin even knew that when Karina had an expensive lipstick, Vera had borrowed it without returning it. Even that lipstick had only been worn once by Karina.Dustin grinned. "Why are you so angry if that's not the case?" "Look at this guy, Karina! He is a shameless man. I can't believe you could stand living with him for two years!""Dustin, never mind. You'd better leave than make a scene!" Karina defended Vera. Of course, it made Vera look happy."Why, I don't think I made a scene. She's the one who started it first." Dustin tried to defend himself."Already, just go!"Dustin had no other choice. He finally chose to leave their presence. Meanwhile, Vera smiled slyly because what Dustin said was true.**Dustin had dinner with Karina's family. The meal was going on as usual. But something caught Karina's attention. Karina kept noticing Dustin's polite eating and seemed to understand manners.Not just this time but because she had long been curious about it. "Have you ever studied table manners?"Before Dustin could answer, Eri answered instead. "That's because he imitates the way we eat. How could a poor person like him possibly learn about manners?"Eri laughed along with Jake. "Manners? Don't be stupid, and he doesn't even have good manners."Jake shook his head. "The manners he does have, of course, are because she's with us. Just imagine if she wasn't accommodated in this house. There would be no other family to put up with her."Eri nodded her head with her spoon raised, pointing at Dustin. "Besides, you don't use your brain very well. How could you learn about manners if you weren't watching us."Dustin sighed. "I did learn table manners."Eri laughed at that. "What an idiot. That's all made up. What are you studying table manners for? To beg?"Jake laughed too. "That's for sure."Before Dustin could answer, Karina had already opened her voice. "Please, can't you guys just stop and eat in peace?"Eri and Jake, who were laughing, immediately shut up. Eri glared at Dustin as Karina defended him. They ate pretty quietly. Only the clinking of plates and spoons against each other.Jake pointed his spoon at Dustin. "Hey, useless dust!!! It would help if you got a job. Our finances are small. Don't trouble us anymore. You're such an embarrassment, and don't you feel sorry for Karina, who works at her cousin's company?""Never mind, Karina. You'd better divorce this useless man. You can get a wonderful man and never suffer like this again." Eri made a suggestion that was not a solution. She disliked Dustin, who she thought was giving them more trouble.Dustin nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll look for a job."Karina was surprised. "Are you sure you're going to look for a job? I'm afraid you won't get one since you lack skills."Eri chuckled. "It doesn't matter what his abilities are, and the important thing is that he should still work and earn money to make her life more useful and not just a burden to our family. Remember, don't embarrass us again!"Dustin nodded. "Yes, I promise I won't embarrass you anymore.""It's good that you're self-aware. I hope you get rich and stop burdening our family." Eri scoffed.The next day, Dustin was looking for a job. He wore a simple shirt and a folder with all the paperwork.The streets were shiny and slippery from last night's heavy rain. The sidewalks were full of puddles. Dustin was already walking carefully so that his clothes wouldn't get splashed when a vehicle passed.Dustin glanced behind him when he heard the roar of a car engine that sounded like it was traveling fast. Dustin pushed aside the grassy side of the road.Dustin's clothes were wet because the puddle of water on the sidewalk spurted up to him. The fast-moving car suddenly stopped. Someone from inside came out to see Dustin, holding a folder to apply for a job."Ah, it's you!" The man was Steve, a member of the Grayson family—Karina's cousin who often looked down on Dustin. "Are you looking for a job?" he asked mockingly. Dustin only responded with a nod of his head.Steve noticed Dustin's appearance. "With wet clothes like that? You look more like a beggar!"Steve laughed at his own words. "You're an idiot. No one will take you in."Dustin remained silent. Steve continued to watch Dustin's appearance, and then an idea popped into his head."I can get you a job," Steve spoke arrogantly.Dustin frowned. "What job?"Steve spoke while folding his arms. "Being poor, uneducated, and looking like a sewer rat, your best job is cleaning toilets."Steve laughed out loud as if his words were a funny joke.Dustin let out a long sigh. "I was expecting this. I knew you just wanted to make fun of me.""What did you expect, stupid? You're useless!" mocked Steve.Dustin shook his head and brushed past Steve because he felt there was no point in talking to
Lewis had been curious all along. He watched Dustin for a moment as he continued to drive. "Why didn't you tell him your true identity?"The question had been nagging at the back of Lewis' mind for a while, but he only dared to say it respectfully and cautiously for fear of offending Dustin.Dustin gave Lewis a glance with a faint smile. "I don't want my name to be a burden." Then he turned his gaze back to stare out the window.Lewis frowned. He didn't understand what Dustin meant by his name being a burden. "Why would you think that? Your name is not a burden. People will respect you more and won't insult you as Steve did earlier."Dustin smiled slightly. "Precisely because of that, I can't reveal my identity because it's a burden."Dustin stared straight ahead as memories of his past suddenly flashed back. "When I was a kid, everyone changed after discovering who I was. They suddenly became too nice to me, so it felt like a poison killing me daily."Lewis understood exactly how Dus
Steve was angry. He felt insulted by Dustin's words. Steve grabbed Dustin firmly by the collar. "You're a liar. A fool like you couldn't possibly have my skills. There's no way you're working at Cloa! You're making that up!""I work there. You're the one with no skills," Dustin retorted as he pushed Steve's body.Steve was annoyed; he almost fell over from the forceful push. That poor, lowly man really made him angry. "That's where the greats are. You won't be able to work there!"Dustin grinned as he straightened his clothes that had become wrinkled because of Steve. "You're jealous of me because I'm much better than you? I work there as the head of the Cloa company."Eri chuckled in annoyance. Her arms folded across her chest. She couldn't believe what her son-in-law was saying. "You're imagining things too much. Head of the company? Never mind, there's no need to act so much! I doubt even being an OB there!"Karina let out a long breath, looking at Dustin. "You don't have to lie, D
"Let me take you, sir." Sarah offered to drive Dustin because, as his personal secretary, she should always know where Dustin was going, especially regarding business for the company."Okay." Dustin agreed. They quickly left the room and entered the elevator.Just as Dustin and Sarah left the company, Dustin met Steve, who was curious and wanted to confirm Dustin's statement that he was indeed working at Cloa's company.Steve was surprised. Dustin simply ignored him, passing in front of him with Sarah when a car stopped right in front of them. A middle-aged man dressed in all black got out of the car and opened the car door for Dustin and Sarah.The driver bowed respectfully, and Sarah and Dustin got into the company car specially provided by Lewis to take Dustin anywhere."Where is he going? It turns out he does work here." Steve still couldn't believe what he was seeing. He rushed into the car, following the car carrying Dustin from behind.A few minutes later, Dustin exited the car
The salesman didn't accept this and got even angrier. He raised his chin as if challenging Dustin. "I've worked here for a year and know how to judge people well. Your clothes are too simple; it's obvious that you don't have the money to buy clothes here."Dustin smiled slightly in response to the waiter's ramblings. "Don't be stupid; how could you be deceived by others? Then you can't become a figure with a high position. You can only be a salesman for the rest of your life."Dustin spoke so the salesman would immediately realize his mistake, but he was indeed a fool. He wouldn't understand the meaning of Dustin's words.The salesman felt insulted by Dustin's words. He scrunched up his waist. "I'm going to get a promotion for catching a thief, you!"Of course, the waitress would never want to be in this position for the rest of her life. He was jealous when he saw others with higher ranks than him. He also wanted to buy this and do that if he got an elevated position. He even envisio
Hearing that, everyone was shocked because the Cloa company was a big company across the street from this shop. They all looked at each other."That's the big company over there, right? Gosh, he's the leader." One customer whispered to another. Now they were in a bad mood, regretting that they had insulted Dustin.Steve, who heard it, was also shocked. He shook his head in disbelief at what Sarah was saying. "No way. He's a stupid man; he can't be the company's leader. There must be something to hide. Dustin must be hiring someone."The salesman became agitated. His lips were trembling, and his palms were covered in cold sweat. "That's impossible. How can a leader be dressed like this."The salesman shook his head with pursed lips. "He must be lying! It could just be a trick on their part!"Steve grinned as he nodded his head happily in place. He agreed with the waiter's words. "Yes, indeed. Dustin must be doing tricks and gimmicks to make his plan work, and everyone thinks he's the c
Arland looked at Dustin with a puzzled look. He was surprised and did not expect why Dustin would speak like that. "Why would you say that? I've tried to do good to make amends."Dustin threw the clothes on the floor. "Do you think I don't know the quality of these clothes?"Arland took back the clothes that Dustin had thrown on the floor. "But sir, this is the finest suit."Arland's forehead furrowed, in his heart wondering why the man could know the quality of this suit when judging from the way he was dressed, it was clear that the man was not good at distinguishing between good and bad quality, looking like he did not have good taste in dressing. An ordinary person would think this suit was good; there was no difference.Dustin smiled faintly, annoyed in his heart. How dare that manager underestimate him. "Just by touching it, I can tell it's a poor-quality suit."Arland gently patted the suit while paying close attention; how could Dustin know the quality of this suit just by tou
Dustin left the shop, ignoring the soft voice of Arland, who kept apologizing. Not even caring about all the looks from the people around the shop.Sarah was surprised by Dustin's actions. In her heart, she said, "Mr. Dustin is indeed a leader. Now I believe he is a great person. I won't doubt him anymore."After leaving the store, Dustin called Albert again. As before, Albert immediately picked up his phone call. "Is there a problem I need to solve again, sir?"Dustin glanced at his clothes from the reflection of the shop glass, resuming his footsteps. "Send some nice clothes for me to Cloa's company immediately."Albert, on the other side, nodded his head. "Yes, Master Dustin. I will have it ready as soon as possible."Dustin hung up the phone call, crossed the street, and reentered the company. Half an hour later, Albert arrived at Cloa's company, facing Dustin in his office.Albert arrived with several people dressed in black. Each of them carried two paper bags. "Here, Master. I