Chapter 1541: Kidnapped
After receiving a clear response, there was no joy on Dustin's face; instead, there was more solemnity.
Since the person in the Forbidden City had dared to agree, they must have been confident.
But he always felt that there was something strange about this matter.
The closer he got to the truth, the more uneasy he felt.
He couldn't even understand where this unease was coming from.
It was as if it were instinctual, yet it felt like his own unfounded thoughts.
"Never mind, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."
Dustin shook his head and dismissed the distractions.
Just as he was about to return to his room to rest, his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Hazel.
"Hello, Miss Hazel, is there something you need?"
Hazel glanced at the sky and noticed that it was already getting dark around him.
"Miss Hazel? Hmph... I'm sorry, you guessed wrong."
Suddenly, a deep, hoarse voice sounded on the other end of the phone.
"Hmm?"
Dustin frowned. "Who are you? And how do you have Miss Hazel's phone?"
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that your sweetheart is now in my hands. If you don't want anything bad to happen to her, come to the Crossroads Temple in the north of the city immediately. Oh, and you'd better hurry up. My brothers here are already quite eager, and if you're late, I can't guarantee they won't do something out of line." The voice chuckled ominously.
"I warn you not to do anything rash. If you dare to harm Miss Hazel, I promise to make you and your associates pay a thousand fold!" Dustin said in a stern voice.
"Hehe... We'll see if you have the capability for that. Crossroad Temple in the north of the city, I'll be waiting for you here. Remember, come alone."
After a sinister laugh, the call was abruptly disconnected.
Without hesitation, Dustin immediately started his car and headed straight for the designated location.
It was evident that the person on the phone was after him.
The people he had recently made enemies with included Isabela, Victoria, Owen, Julie, and Zaire.
Since Owen was frightened, he probably wouldn't dare to make trouble again.
As for Julie, who had his hand broken at Mursal's palace the day before, he was likely still in the hospital and didn't seem to have the inclination for such actions.
Therefore, the mastermind behind this should be one of the remaining few.
But regardless of who it was, their actions had already crossed the line, and Dustin had no intention of showing mercy.
Forty minutes later, Dustin drove into the slums in the northern suburbs of the city.
The Crossroad Temple was conveniently located within these slums.
This place was a mix of all sorts, a haven for thieves and a hub for many shady deals.
Some ruthless criminals also hid in these slums.
Without exaggeration, this area had become a lawless zone where law enforcement rarely ventured.
Incidents like rape, murder, and robbery were commonplace.
Anyone without some skills wouldn't dare to enter this dangerous territory.
Someone like Dustin, who openly drove into the slums without hesitation, was obviously a newcomer who didn't know the rules.
As soon as he appeared, various groups set their sights on him as prey.
In the slums, it was easy to get in but difficult to get out.
Finally encountering prey, certain underground factions were already getting restless.
Dustin paid no attention to the unfriendly glares around him and drove straight to the entrance of the Crossroad Temple.
The Crossroad Temple was located at the center of the slums.
Once a thriving place of worship, it had now fallen into disrepair.
Fortunately, it was spacious and well-located, with a powerful statue of Crossroad inside.
Due to sentimental reasons, many gang members held a deep respect for it.
Gradually, this place had become the heart of the slums.
Most of the people who could freely come and go here were influential figures within the slums.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
Chapter 1542: Beauty, here I come!
As soon as Dustin got out of the car, he was blocked by two burly men with tattoos at the temple gate.
"I'm here for the appointment," Dustin said coldly.
"Let's search him first!"
Without any hesitation, the two tattooed men immediately began patting Dustin down.
Dustin didn't resist and stood still, cooperating fully. He didn't want to make any rash moves until he confirmed Hazel's safety.
"Okay, you can go in now."
After thoroughly searching Dustin and confirming he wasn't carrying any weapons, the two tattooed men stepped aside and allowed him to pass.
Dustin didn't say a word and walked straight into the Crossroad Temple.
Inside the temple at that moment, a middle-aged man with a bare upper body, broad shoulders, and a full beard was feasting with a group of henchmen, enjoying roasted whole lamb. On the table, there were various types of liquor.
They were eating meat heartily and drinking heavily, looking carefree and relaxed.
In a corner, Hazel was blindfolded, her hands tied behind her back, and bound to a stone pillar. Her curvaceous body, accentuated by the ropes, appeared even more seductive.
The sight of her stirred the desires of the gang members, making them restless.
"Boss, this girl is too hot to handle. My little buddy down there is already standing at attention. Can I have a go first?" a bald-headed man said with a wicked grin, his eyes constantly scanning Hazel's voluptuous figure.
"Boss, I haven't had any action in a while. If you let me go first, I'll hand over all my commission for this job!" the bald-headed man pleaded impatiently.
"Oh? Is that so?" the bearded man raised an eyebrow.
This valuable commodity was worth a lot of money, and the boss's offer was quite generous.
Distributed among each brother, it would probably be tens of thousands.
Spending tens of thousands to play with a woman, this guy was really willing to spare no expense.
"For real! With so many brothers here, can I go back on my word?" The bald-headed man scratched himself down there again, looking very eager.
A beauty like this was something he might never encounter in his entire life. Even if it cost him half his life, he would willingly pay it.
"Alright, considering how desperate you look, I'll let you go first. But remember, don't damage her too much. Afterward, I can still get a good price for her," the bearded man cautioned.
"No problem!"
The bald-headed man grinned wickedly and hurried toward Hazel.
As he walked, he eagerly took off his clothes, quickly stripping himself bare.
"Beauty, here I come!"
The bald-headed man lifted his head triumphantly and pounced excitedly.
He grabbed the hem of Hazel's dress and pulled hard.
"Snap!"
The long dress was torn off halfway, revealing two fair and slender thighs and a pair of lace panties peeking through.
"What are you doing? Stop it!" Hazel, who still had her face covered, panicked and threatened repeatedly, "I am from the Lancaster family. If you dare to do anything wrong, the Lancaster family will never let you go!"
"Hehe... Forget about the Lancaster family; even if you were a wealthy heiress, I wouldn't let you off today!" The bald-headed man grew even more excited, his hands moving roughly to tear Hazel's clothes.
As things were getting out of hand, just when he was about to take it further...
"Swoosh!"
A white blur suddenly flashed by, and the bald-headed man felt a sudden chill down below.
He lowered his head and was immediately stunned.
Because he realized that his private part had somehow fallen to the ground at some point!
Chapter 1543: Digging own graves
“Um?"
Watching the object fall to the ground, then looking at his exposed crotch, the bald man was utterly bewildered.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
What just happened? How did my penis get severed?
"Uh-ah—!"
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the bald man let out a wail of despair.
His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, blood flowing profusely, a gruesome sight.
"Ah! My penis! My penis!"
The bald man cried out in agony, rolling on the ground.
The sudden commotion startled everyone.
"Second Brother! What's going on?!" a stubbled man immediately stood up and asked.
"My penis is gone! Someone cut off my penis!" the bald man wailed, picking up his bloody member from the ground and holding it up as a gruesome display.
"Damn it! Who the hell did this? Daring to harm my brother's cock? Get the hell out!" the stubbled man glared, looking around.
The other henchmen also drew their knives, becoming alert.
"It was me," Dustin said coldly, walking slowly into the temple gate.
Inside the temple, there were around twenty or thirty people, all members of gangs resorting to robbery and extortion because they couldn't survive in the city and had to oppress the slums.
"Kid! Are you the infamous Dustin?" the stubbled man looked him up and down.
Their benefactor had given them a photo, so he quickly recognized Dustin's identity.
"That's right," Dustin scanned his surroundings and said coldly, "Who are you people? How dare you kidnap Miss Hazel?"
"I'll tell you the truth, I am the leader of the Black Bear Gang, and these are all my brothers!"
The stubbled man shouted harshly, "Someone paid a fortune for your life. Today, you must die here!"
"Who ordered you to do this?" Dustin questioned.
"Want to know?" the stubbled man sneered, "I'll tell you after you're dead!"
"I'm giving you a chance. As long as you reveal the mastermind behind this, I can spare your lives," Dustin said expressionlessly.
"Spare our lives?"
The stubbled man glanced around and couldn't help but laugh, "Kid, do you have a death wish? You're just one person, we have around twenty or thirty men. How do you plan to fight us?"
"Ignorant fool, do you really think our Black Bear Gang is easy to deal with?"
The other henchmen also sneered, looking at him like he was a fool.
In the slums, the Black Bear Gang was easily one of the top three gangs. They had over a hundred members, and although not all of them were present today, the ones they sent were their elite.
Plus, this was their territory. Dealing with a mere kid was child's play.
"So, you refuse to talk?" Dustin's eyes grew colder.
"Talk? Damn you! Cut him down!" the stubbled man waved his hand, giving the order directly.
He knew one thing well: villains died from talking too much. If they could act, there was no need to waste time.
"Attack!"
The Black Bear Gang members didn't hesitate; they immediately drew their knives and charged.
"You're digging your own graves!"
Dustin snorted coldly, showing no mercy.
He raised his hand, and a crescent-shaped white sword aura slashed out horizontally in an instant.
"Swish!"
The white aura, like the scythe of the Grim Reaper, pierced through the bodies of all the Black Bear Gang disciples with lightning speed.
Chapter 1544: I will kill her
The Black Bear Gang disciples halted in their tracks, their bodies freezing mid-charge, as if petrified.
In the next moment, a series of explosions reverberated, "Bang, bang, bang."
Every member of the Black Bear Gang seemed to inflate like balloons, and one by one, they started to explode.
In an instant, limbs and body parts flew in all directions, blood splattering everywhere.
The entire Crossroad Temple was shrouded in a mist of blood.
"Ah?!"
Seeing this scene, the stubbled man was stupefied; the cigarette hanging from his mouth fell into the pool of blood.
Everyone... everyone was dead?
With just one move, all twenty or thirty of his brothers had burst into pieces. Was this person even human?
This was downright demonic!
Their sponsor wasn't giving them a mission; he was leading them to their deaths!
"How could this happen? Who is this person?!"
At this moment, the bald man didn't care about his pain anymore; his face was filled with horror.
They had thought it was just an ordinary assassination, especially with the backing of their influential sponsor. They didn't expect their target to be this powerful.
With a mere lift of his hand, he turned them into dust and ashes. It was terrifying!
Inside the temple, the mist of blood hung heavy, and body parts littered the ground.
Standing at the entrance, Dustin remained immaculate in his white clothes, untouched by the carnage.
His indifferent eyes seemed to oversee all living beings, devoid of any emotion.
"Now, it's your turn."
Dustin slowly raised his head, his gaze piercing through the stubbled man.
Terrified, the stubbled man trembled all over, continuously stepping back, utterly panicked. "Y-you... don't come any closer! If you dare approach, I'll kill her right away!"
Saying this, he pulled out a knife and placed it at Hazel's neck.
With a hostage in hand, he felt a bit more secure.
"Swish!"
Chapter 1545: You broke your promise
Seeing his leader tremble with fear so quickly, the bald man felt a surge of anger and humiliation.
Didn't they agree to face death with dignity?
Weren't they supposed to die fighting?
How could he change his tune so suddenly?
If there was a chance for him to live, what about me?
"Boss, didn't we promise to face this together? How could you betray us like this?" the bald man said, his voice full of shock.
"Second Brother, don't blame me. I have a family to look after. I can't die here. Besides, you're already a useless person. There's no point in your life anymore. I'll take care of your siblings for you. Rest assured," the stubbled man said, his tone heavy with solemnity.
"You scumbag! You have no integrity! I hope you die!" The bald man, infuriated, unsheathed the knife from his waist and stabbed it towards the stubbled man.
The stubbled man reacted swiftly, picking up a brick from the ground and slamming it onto the bald man's forehead.
"Thud!"
A dull sound reverberated.
The brick shattered, blood gushed from the bald man's forehead, and he swayed, collapsing on the ground.
However, the stubbled man didn't stop there. Using the broken brick in his hand, he mercilessly struck the back of the bald man's head.
"Die! Just die!"
With each blow, the stubbled man's expression grew fiercer.
Soon, the bald man completely lost his breath. His head, like a smashed watermelon, was a mess of red and white, blood pooling around him.
To be on the safe side, after the continuous beating, the stubbled man picked up the knife and stabbed it into his sworn brother's heart several times.
Only after he was certain that the man couldn't possibly survive did he finally stop.
"You're even willing to kill your own brother. You truly are ruthless," Dustin commented nonchalantly.
"Every man for himself; that's the law of the jungle. It's either him or me. When you choose this path, you should have been prepared for it," the stubbled man gasped for breath.
"You said Mr. Zaire orchestrated all of this. Where is he now?" Dustin cut straight to the point.
"I don't know. His whereabouts are unknown to us; someone of his stature wouldn't reveal such information to us small fries," the stubbled man shook his head.
"How did you communicate with him?" Dustin inquired further.
"He's one of Mr. Zaire's subordinates. We used our phones to contact him. Once the task was completed, we just needed to send a photo for confirmation and received our payment. It's convenient and secure," the stubbled man truthfully replied.
"He planned it quite meticulously," Dustin narrowed his eyes slightly.
It was evident that both sides had cooperated before. The act of hiring assassins was something Zaire had become adept at. Unfortunately for him, he had overestimated himself and underestimated Dustin.
"Hero, I've told you everything. Can I go now?" the stubbled man forced a smile. "My arm is already broken; I need to stop the bleeding urgently. I must get to the hospital quickly; otherwise, my life will be in danger."
"No need for that trouble; I can help you," Dustin said calmly.
"Oh? Does the hero also know medical skills?" the stubbled man asked hesitantly.
"I know a little," Dustin replied.
As he spoke, Dustin pointed his finger at the stubbled man's forehead.
"Bang!"
A loud noise rang out as if a bullet had pierced through his head. The stubbled man's skull exploded as if hit by a bullet, leaving a hole.
"You... you broke your promise!”
Chapter 1546: Black Bear Gang wiped out
With a loud bang, the stubbled man's body quivered, he fell backward, lifeless.
"You're—untrustworthy trash," responded Dustin coldly.
Then, he stepped over the corpse and approached Hazel. He untied her and removed the black cloth covering her face, asking softly, "Miss Hazel, are you injured?"
"I'm fine, luckily you arrived in time, or I would have been defiled by these beasts today," Hazel breathed a sigh of relief.
Although she had witnessed many big events, today's experience was a first. Dealing with such a pack of wolves, if not for Dustin's rescue, she wouldn't only have been violated but probably sold overseas as well. At that point, it would have been a fate worse than death.
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault," Dustin felt some self-blame.
It was because he had offended Zaire that she targeted Hazel, using her as leverage against him.
"Why are you talking nonsense? We're partners. We share good and bad times, don't we?" Hazel shrugged and smiled casually. "Besides, it's Zaire's fault. What does it have to do with you? We should figure out how to get through this together."
"I'll handle Zaire's matter. You don't need to worry," Dustin said.
"Little handsome, what do you plan to do?" Hazel asked tentatively.
"Of course, I'll root out the problem," Dustin said coldly.
"What?" Hazel was taken aback. "Little handsome, please don't act recklessly. Zaire is the adopted son of Lord Mursal, he wields tremendous power. We can't afford to provoke him. If you kill him, we'll surely be in great trouble!"
"Don't worry, I'll do it cleanly and discreetly, without raising suspicion," Dustin said calmly. "Besides, even if I don't take action, he won't spare us. Today's events are a clear example. Instead of living in constant fear, it's better to take the initiative and eliminate the potential threat."
"Well..." Hazel furrowed her brows, deep in thought.
Zaire did have a notorious reputation in the business world, and he was willing to go to great lengths to achieve his goals. Kidnapping and murder were likely not new to him. Once you caught the attention of this venomous snake, you would either die or suffer greatly.
Should they really take the risk and confront him directly?
"Miss Hazel, don't worry, this matter has nothing to do with you. Even if anything unexpected happens, I'll handle it," Dustin assured her.
"What's the matter? Do you think I'm incapable? We agreed to share both good and bad times. Faced with this situation, how can I stand by and do nothing?" Hazel said earnestly. "Tell me, what do you need me to do? I'll lend my full support."
"For now, there's nothing you need to do. Go back and get a good night's sleep. If there's anything, we can discuss it tomorrow," Dustin smiled.
"Young man, I'm serious. Please don't take unnecessary risks. If something were to happen to you, I'd be very upset," Hazel said with a serious tone.
"I understand. Let's go. I'll escort you back home," Dustin replied with a faint smile. Without saying much more, he supported Hazel as they walked out of the Crossroad Temple.
Outside the temple, a crowd had gathered. When they saw Dustin walking out unharmed, their expressions changed, and they scattered.
They all knew that the Black Bear Gang had business to attend to today and had gathered their elite members to surround their prey. The screams from inside had already told them something was wrong.
However, none of them expected that the one to walk out last would be Dustin, who was supposed to be the prey. In this situation, there was only one possibility: the Black Bear Gang had been wiped out!
Who would dare to provoke a person capable of single-handedly eliminating the elites of the Black Bear Gang?
Chapter 1547: Girlish side
The news of the Black Bear Gang's demise quickly spread throughout the entire slum. The gangs that had previously considered Dustin their prey now avoided him like the plague.
The Black Bear Gang was considered a major force in the slum, but within the span of just an incense stick's worth of time, all their elite members had been wiped out. Anyone with a bit of sense refrained from causing trouble.
With that, Dustin drove openly out of the slum, accompanied by Hazel.
The legend of the Slum War God began to circulate.
Thirty minutes later, the car stopped in front of Hazel's private villa.
"Young man, would you like to come in for a while?" Hazel opened the car door, stepped out, and extended an inviting smile.
At this moment, she was disheveled, with her long, fair legs and a seductive figure on full display despite her torn clothes.
"No need, it's getting late. You should rest," Dustin politely declined.
"Young man, I'm a bit scared living here alone. How about you stay with me tonight? If any bad people show up, you can protect me better, what do you say?" Hazel found another excuse.
"If you're afraid, I can arrange for two people to guard your doorstep. That would be safer," Dustin suggested.
"Can outsiders be as reliable as you?" Hazel complained with a hint of resentment. "Besides, it's so dark inside the house. What if there are bad people hiding? Come on, accompany me inside to check. I'm just a weak woman; are you afraid I'll eat you?"
"Well..." Dustin looked embarrassed but ultimately nodded. "Alright, I'll accompany you inside to check."
"That's more like it. Please come in!" Hazel sweetly smiled and joyfully opened the door, inviting Dustin into the villa.
The villa was decorated in a fresh and youthful style, predominantly in shades of pink, exuding a girlish atmosphere. Dolls and plush toys could be found everywhere, along with a display cabinet filled with valuable figurines.
Seeing all this, Dustin couldn't help but be quite surprised. Hazel usually carried herself with a mature and enchanting demeanor, so he didn't expect her to have such a girlish side. The contrast was quite significant.
"I don't usually stay here, so I haven't tidied up much."
"Young man, please make yourself at home. Don't be polite. I'll take a shower and change into some clothes," Hazel said after greeting him, then went straight upstairs in the villa.
Dustin didn't idle around; instead, he began inspecting the villa thoroughly. In case Zaire had any tricks up his sleeve and attempted another kidnapping, it would be troublesome.
After checking both upstairs and downstairs and confirming there were no dangers, Dustin returned to the living room and took a seat.
In the center of the living room's display cabinet hung a family portrait. Curious, Dustin walked up to it and realized that it was a series of photographs documenting Hazel's growth. From her birth to her college graduation, there was an annual family photo.
It was evident that Hazel had been a beautiful child since her early years, mostly inheriting her mother's excellent genes. The photos showed a happy family of three, smiling and appearing very content, radiating happiness.
However, this happiness only seemed to last until Hazel turned eighteen.
After that, the family portrait, which had originally included all three of them, became a picture of just Hazel and her father, Waylon. Her mother had disappeared.
In such a situation, there were only two possibilities: either Hazel's mother had passed away, or her parents had divorced.
"What are you looking at?" At this moment, Hazel descended from the second floor, wearing a pink silk pajama and with half-dried hair. Seeing that Dustin was staring at the photos, she smiled and said, "These are all old pictures, nothing interesting. I was so young back then, not very photogenic."
Chapter 1548: Portray as a promiscuous woman
"You look beautiful," Dustin complimented politely.
Even in her post-adolescent years, Hazel still appeared quite charming in the photos, despite a bit of youthful awkwardness.
"Those were the days," Hazel said as she opened the refrigerator. She turned and asked, "Young handsome, would you like something to drink?"
"Anything is fine," Dustin replied.
"Alright then," Hazel pulled out a dozen canned beers from the fridge and placed them on the coffee table. She also opened a few bags of snacks as accompaniments.
"Here, let's have one," Hazel said, opening two chilled beers and handing one to Dustin.
After a light toast, they started to enjoy their drinks.
"Refreshing!" Hazel exclaimed, drinking half of her beer in one go, her eyes squinting with delight.
On a scorching summer day, sipping an ice-cold beer was indeed a great pleasure.
"Young man, what do you think of me?" Hazel asked with a smile as she sipped her beer.
"You're beautiful and kind-hearted," Dustin replied succinctly.
Since they had met, their cooperation had been quite harmonious. Despite Hazel's occasionally quirky behavior, she had never let him down. Most importantly, she considered him a true friend, and that alone made them worth deepening their friendship.
"Haha... your evaluation is quite accurate. I thought you might think of me as an unserious woman," Hazel chuckled.
"Many rumors are based on hearsay. I believe in your character," Dustin smiled.
"Young man, you really understand me. Come on, let's drink," Hazel raised her beer bottle, clinking it against Dustin's. "Actually, those rumors, they're half true and half false. Many people say I'm fickle, and they're right. As for keeping male pets... well, that's true."
"Ah?" Dustin's expression froze.
Hazel's words caught him off guard, and he wasn't quite sure how to respond.
"Surprised?" Hazel raised an eyebrow, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "The reason I keep male pets isn't because I have any specific preference. Mainly, it's to tarnish my own reputation."
"What do you mean by that?" Dustin was even more puzzled.
Wasn't it common for women to value their reputation above all else? Why would she intentionally smear herself?
"Well, women who are pretty often face some troubles, especially women like me who come from a good family. When we reach a suitable age, we become sacrificial pawns in family alliances."
"Three years ago, my family planned to marry me off to a prominent member of the Green family. That Green young master was notorious for being a sadist. Most women who ended up in his hands would be subjected to extreme torture, and in the worst cases, it even led to death."
"At first, I naturally refused this marriage, but my personal preferences were insignificant compared to the interests of the family."
"Even though I knew that the Green young master was a beast, my family, for the sake of long-term development, still readily agreed, and not even my father could stop them."
"In the end, I had no choice but to tarnish my own reputation and portray myself as a promiscuous woman who was available to anyone."
"For the sake of the family's reputation, the Green family eventually called off the engagement, and I narrowly escaped that fate."
"That's why my reputation is so bad," Hazel explained, sipping her beer as she recounted her past.
She had never opened up to anyone like this before. Dustin was the first person she had shared her heart with. She wasn't sure why, but she didn't want the person in front of her to misunderstand her and then distance himself or hold a grudge against her.
Could it be that she had really developed feelings for him?
Chapter 1549: Being my boyfriend?
Listening to Hazel's life story, Dustin couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. Some noble daughters, despite enjoying privileged treatment, were also expected to provide value to their families. They needed to be exceptionally talented or possess exceptional beauty to serve the family's interests.
In Hazel's case, she was not only beautiful but also highly accomplished, making her a crucial stepping stone for her family's advancement.
Now, Dustin finally understood why Hazel had chosen to tarnish her reputation and willingly allowed people to gossip about her. Ultimately, it was a desperate measure, a choice she had been forced into.
"Here, let's drink," Dustin said, raising his glass in a toast.
"Cheers!" Hazel smiled and clinked her glass, downing the remaining beer. She then opened two more cans, one for herself and one for Dustin.
"In fact, I'm very lucky to have met you. You've helped me and given me opportunities," Hazel said with a smile. "Since the success of the Jade Dew Cream, my status in the family has risen significantly. The elders no longer pressure me to get married. They believe I have the ability to elevate the Lancaster family into a prominent household in Stonia. As long as I can achieve that, I'll have the final say in the entire Lancaster family!"
"Is that so? Congratulations then," Dustin smiled.
"I never expected that I would one day have control over my own destiny. I can only say that you're my lucky star," Hazel said with a smile.
"You're welcome. We've helped each other," Dustin replied.
"Hey, young man, have you ever considered being my boyfriend? I feel like we get along very well," Hazel suddenly blurted out, her beautiful eyes fixed on Dustin with a mixture of hope and nervousness.
Despite her typically flirtatious demeanor, this was the first time she had made such a serious confession.
"Ah?" Dustin's smile froze, and he awkwardly replied, "Miss Hazel, you're a wonderful person, but I'm already engaged. Let's just be friends."
He decided to be upfront about it to avoid any misunderstandings.
"Haha... I was just teasing you, don't take it so seriously," Hazel chuckled, but a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.
She could deceive others, but she couldn't deceive her own heart. She had genuinely developed feelings for this mysterious and talented man. Unfortunately, he was already committed, and they were fated to remain as acquaintances.
"I see, it was just a joke. You scared me for a moment there," Dustin said with a relieved expression.
"By the way, what does your fiancée look like? When can you introduce her to me? Maybe we can become good friends," Hazel asked with a smile.
"You've already met her at the company's opening ceremony," Dustin replied.
"I've met her? Who?" Hazel looked puzzled.
"Natasha," Dustin revealed.
"What?" Hazel was taken aback. "Are you saying your fiancée is the granddaughter of the Duke Duncan?"
"That's correct," Dustin nodded.
Now that things had come to this point, he saw no reason to keep it a secret anymore.
"No wonder... No wonder there were so many important figures attending the opening ceremony, all because of Miss Natasha," Hazel exclaimed in amazement. "I never expected that your fiancée would be her."
In her shock, Hazel also felt something different. She had initially wondered what kind of woman could captivate Dustin to such an extent. Now that she knew it was Natasha, who was renowned for her beauty, she understood. Natasha excelled in looks, physique, and temperament, surpassing most other women.
Chapter 1550: Without romantic entanglements
Most importantly, Natasha was the granddaughter of the Duke Duncan, an esteemed title that commanded respect. Even just her social status alone was enough to make people look up to her. In front of Natasha, all of Hazel's advantages seemed to be overshadowed.
For a moment, Hazel couldn't help but feel a bit inferior.
However, when she thought about how someone as outstanding as Natasha had chosen Dustin, she felt that she hadn't made a mistake in her judgment. Dustin had something special about him.
"To be honest, it was somewhat unexpected for me as well because I didn't know she was the Duke Duncan's granddaughter when I met her," Dustin said politely.
"So, you've hit the jackpot, haven't you?" Hazel teased.
"Well, you could say that," Dustin replied with a smile.
"Alright, then I wish both of you a lifetime of happiness together!" Hazel raised her beer, clinking it against Dustin's, and then downed it in one go.
As they drank and chatted, they felt more relaxed without the pressure of romantic entanglements.
Hazel had buried her feelings deep in her heart after realizing that Dustin was already taken. After all, life was full of regrets, and sometimes, being friends and enjoying a drink together was just fine.
As the night grew darker, they finished the beer, and Dustin decided it was time to leave. Hazel watched him drive away, and then she stretched lazily, lying back on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
In the end, there was still a sense of reluctance.
Ding ding ding...
Suddenly, her phone rang, and it was a call from one of her family's elders.
"Hello, Fourth Uncle, it's already late at night. Can't this wait until tomorrow?" Hazel lazily inquired.
"Hazel, there's an urgent matter at home. Please come back immediately!" The voice on the other end sounded tense.
"What's going on?" Hazel was puzzled.
"I can't explain over the phone. You'll understand when you get back," the voice urged.
"Alright, I'll be there in a moment."
Hanging up the phone, Hazel wasted no time changing her clothes and headed out.
Thirty minutes later, Hazel drove into the Lancaster family estate.
The Lancaster family estate was quite sizable, and important family members resided within its walls. Family gatherings and events were often held here, but late-night meetings like this were rare.
Exiting her car, Hazel headed straight for the meeting hall, a place she knew well.
The meeting hall was well-lit, and the core members of the Lancaster family were all seated, looking formal and tense. Behind them stood a row of well-dressed bodyguards wearing sunglasses. Each of them had bulges around their waists, indicating concealed weapons.
"Fourth Uncle, I'm here. What's so urgent?" Hazel said confidently as she walked in, but she immediately sensed that something was amiss due to the atmosphere in the room. The unfamiliar bodyguards, in particular, raised her suspicion.
"Fourth Uncle, what's going on?" she started to ask when suddenly, a cold handgun was pressed against the back of her head.
