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Chapter 1423
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An Understated Dominance Chapter 1424
"Y'see," Theodore began."The critters I keep need to feed on my blood to forge a bond. Over time, it forms a connection. Once that connection's solid, I'll know it in a heartbeat," he explained.Eleanor raised a curious eyebrow. "Sounds pretty otherworldly.""It's occult, something a high-society girl like you might not grasp," he said with an air of secrecy."But what if it doesn't work?" she prodded."Hmm?" Theodore furrowed his brow. Was she trying to test his patience?"Don't worry, Eleanor, you don't need to worry about that," Ezra chimed in, flashing a reassuring smile. "Sir Crane's mastery of the occult is legendary. There's no room for failure.""But I'm talking about the 'what if,'" Eleanor insisted."Hmph! There's no room for 'what ifs'!" Theodore's expression grew cold. "Unless that kid has the skin of steel and a spirit beyond, disaster is certain.""I don't get all this magic stuff. I just want to know, will there be a sign if it fails?" She kept pushing.Theo
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1425
"Sir Crane!" Ezra shouted. His voice was filled with urgency as he rushed to Theodore's side.But as they gathered around Theodore, they witnessed an alarming transformation. His body convulsed uncontrollably, blood streaming from his nose, and a look of terror in his eyes."What's happening to Sir Crane? Could he be possessed?" Eleanor's eyes widened with shock. Theodore's condition had changed abruptly. He was fine before, but now, he was convulsing strangely. It was utterly perplexing."Quick, to the hospital!" Panic swelled in Ezra's voice as he gave orders to his assistants. They carefully carried the stricken Theodore out and rushed him to South City Hospital. After all, Theodore wasn't any ordinary person. He hailed from the enigmatic Mystic Arts Order. So, his untimely demise within the Swanson family's estate could bring them huge trouble. The night deepened as they arrived at South City Hospital. The doctors fought to stabilize Theodore in the ward.Ezra paced b
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1426
Usually, a mere backfire might leave you dizzy and disoriented. At worst, you'd feel a little under the weather for a few days. But the sheer force of the backfire Theodore had just experienced was enough to cost him his life!That could only mean one thing—the person he had crossed paths with was not to be trifled with. If they came knocking for revenge, there would be nowhere to hide!"Sir Crane, did you maybe take a knock to the head just now? What else could explain these nonsensical words of yours?"Eleanor chimed in, her voice dripping with skepticism, "Dustin is just a doctor. What could he possibly do to reduce you to this quivering mess? You look like you've seen a ghost, for goodness' sake. Is it really that terrible?""Yeah, Sir Crane," Ezra added, puzzled. He'd done a bit of digging into Dustin's background. Dustin was nothing more than a rustic, real small-town guy. He had some fighting skills, some medical know-how, and a few tricks up his sleeve. Even so, those c
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1427
As the clock struck midnight, Dustin bid Natasha farewell and returned to his villa in South City. Their parting carried a tinge of sorrow. Even so, it was necessary to avoid drawing attention. Dustin was going on a dangerous journey. He was determined to keep Natasha out of harm's way. From now on, they would meet in secret, or they would minimize their encounters. Natasha was Simon's granddaughter. That title made her shine too brightly. Thus, spending too much time with her risked exposing Dustin's true identity.The night faded away like mist in the morning sun. The following day, Dustin headed to the Regal Court to meet Lana. They sat in a private chamber, having tea and discussing their plans."Handsome," Lana began. "The Camron family fully supports our partnership. We're committed to investing all our resources in developing and promoting Dew Balm."She skillfully made tea and filled two cups. The room was then engulfed in its delightful aroma."A wise decision," Dust
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1428
Lana's lips curled into a sly smile. "Among the Eight Great Families, the Langfords, Dawsons, Killians, and Sawyers stand as equals. Meanwhile, the Welches, Swansons, Carmens, and Forrests closely trail behind. "If we secure an alliance with the Dawson family, it'll make dealing with the Swansons and Welches much easier."Dustin nodded approvingly. "Excellent choice to go with the Dawsons. It seems you've done your homework well. Have you already established contact with them?"Lana cooed in a playful tone, her smile enchanting. "You're quite clever, Handsome. You've guessed right. I've identified a target within the Dawson family. Convincing him to cooperate won't be a problem."Dustin's curiosity got the better of him. "So, who's this person?""He's the youngest son of the Dawson family's patriarch, Bo Dawson," Lana revealed."Bo Dawson?" Dustin raised an eyebrow. "A rather unique name, isn't it?"Lana's smile held a hint of mischief as she replied, "Handsome, don't underes
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1429
"Alright … he's here. Good luck," Lana said with a mischievous smile. She subtly jutted her chin in a certain direction.Dustin followed her gaze and saw a young man dressed in a classy suit making his way to the second floor. With his long hair and a folding fan in hand, he exuded an old-school charm. It reminded Dustin of classic movie stars.Surrounded by a group of bodyguards and attendants, it was clear that this guy was the center of attention. Anyone attempting to get closer was swiftly blocked. There was no doubt that these bodyguards meant business."How about it? He looks pretty good, right? If you're into that sort of thing, you won't be at a loss, either." Lana chuckled, covering her mouth.The excitement in her eyes couldn't be concealed. The prospect of a showdown between two men really thrilled her. She was eager to find an opportunity to sneak a film and enjoy it to the fullest.Dustin couldn't help but roll his eyes at Lana's playful antics. "Could you please
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1430
"Whatever it is, you have to follow the rules!" the bodyguard sternly refused."Well, I'll just speak directly with Mr. Dawson," Dustin said."Sorry, guys," he added apologetically. Then, with a swift motion of his hand, a row of silver needles shot out, precisely hitting the necks of several guards. The bodyguards instantly froze, unable to move or even make a sound. Only their eyes were darting around in surprise."This is an unavoidable action. Please forgive me," Dustin said with a nod. With that, he continued into the room.As he entered the room, a sharp gaze immediately swept over him. It was accompanied by a chilling air that sent shivers down his spine. In the next moment, a black steel blade with a fierce blade aura swung viciously at Dustin's neck.Dustin raised his eyebrows and instinctively stepped back. He narrowly avoided the blade as it grazed his throat, sending a shiver down his spine.The room's door, upon being struck by the blade, shattered into pieces. I
An Understated Dominance Chapter 1431
"Exceptional quality?"Bo raised an eyebrow, giving Dustin a knowing look that sent shivers down his spine. Was this guy really eyeing him up?Dustin took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Mr. Dawson, I've heard that the Dawson family has made significant advancements in the field of medicine."He added, "Well, I happen to have a miraculous topical medicine called Dew Balm. It not only stops bleeding and aids in wound healing but can also remove scars. "Once it hits the market, it's sure to bring in a fortune for the Dawson family.""Topical medicine?" Mr. Dawson said, raising his teacup to take a sip with a hint of disinterest. "We have countless medicines like that in the Dawson family, such as Dawson's Healing Balm. It was specially designed for healing wounds and removing scars, and it far surpasses any other similar product available.""Dawson's Healing Balm, naturally, I've heard of it," Dustin smiled. "But compared to my Dew Balm, it falls quite short.""Oh? Qu
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An Understated Dominance 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
An Understated Dominance 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
An Understated Dominance 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
An Understated Dominance 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
An Understated Dominance 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
An Understated Dominance 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
An Understated Dominance 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
An Understated Dominance 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
An Understated Dominance 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
