Chapter 1341 Darian's Mystical Technique
"Dustin, these guys have bad intentions. You don't have to bother with them," urged Isabela.
She volunteered because she was confident that Darian wouldn't dare to cause trouble.
But if Dustin were to step in, he might embarrass himself.
"Don't worry, I know how to handle this."
Dustin smiled and looked at Darian, asking, "What do you need from me, Darian?"
"It's simple, give me a drop of your blood and a few strands of your hair. After that, just follow my instructions," Darian grinned.
"Sure."
Dustin nodded, took out a silver needle, pricked his index finger, and squeezed a drop of blood into an empty cup.
Then, he plucked a few strands of hair and dropped them into the cup, asking, "Is this enough?"
"It'll do."
Darian smirked with malicious intent and exchanged a glance with Dominic.
Dominic nodded with a relaxed posture, reclining on the couch as if he was watching a show.
Darian knew exactly what he was doing, especially when it came to controlling people. Once you fell under his influence, he had complete control.
He couldn't wait to see Dustin's miserable state.
"Please wait a moment, everyone. This is a secret technique of our sect, not to be revealed to outsiders," Darian said, lifting the cup containing hair and blood, then briskly walked into the guest room's restroom.
"Hmph! Playing tricks!"
Isabela pursed her lips, showing her disdain. She never believed in supernatural things, thinking they were just tricks used by charlatans (people falsely claiming to have a special knowledge).
Five minutes later.
Darian returned from the restroom, holding a yellow piece of paper in his hand. The paper was covered with strange symbols that looked surprisingly authentic.
"Dustin, close your eyes and relax your body," Darian approached and instructed.
"Okay."
Dustin closed his eyes slowly and relaxed his entire body.
Isabela furrowed her brows, wanting to say something, but ultimately chose to wait and see. She wanted to know what these people were up to.
"Go!"
Darian held the paper with one hand, silently chanted some incantations, and then slapped Dustin on the chest with the other hand.
The next moment, Dustin's head seemed to lose strength and drooped slowly. He appeared to be in a state of unconsciousness.
Seeing this, Darian grinned wickedly and ordered, "From now on, you will obey my commands. First, stand up and obey."
With closed eyes, Dustin slowly stood up as instructed.
"Turn in place twice," Darian commanded again.
Dustin obediently followed the order and turned twice.
"Very good."
Darian nodded with a smile, picked up a glass of wine from the table, and handed it to Dustin, saying, "Drink it."
Dustin took the glass without hesitation and drank it all at once.
Witnessing this, the onlookers couldn't help but express their amazement.
"Wow! What's going on? This guy is completely submissive to Darian?"
"Is this Darian's mystical technique? It's incredible!"
"A single piece of paper can control someone's actions; it's truly mind-blowing!"
The wealthy kids whispered in astonishment. They knew Darian was up to something, but they didn't expect it to be this bizarre.
"Darian! What have you done? Wake Dustin up now!" Isabela exclaimed.
At first, she had her doubts, but seeing Dustin under control, she immediately sensed that something was wrong.
"Sister-in-law, stay calm. Once I finish the ritual, he'll wake up on his own," Darian said with a slight smile.
"No, we have to wake him up now!"
Isabela reached out to touch Dustin but stopped abruptly.
"Wait!"
Darian suddenly shouted, giving her a serious warning, "Sister-in-law, once the ritual has started, it must be completed. If you forcibly wake him up, you might turn him into a vegetable!"
"Ah?"
Isabela was taken aback, quickly retracting her hand.
Chapter 1342 The Sudden Turn of Events
"Isabela, relax. We're just playing around; we won't harm him," Dominic reassured her.
"Hmph! It better be that way!"
Isabela frowned but ultimately held back.
Mainly, she was worried that her impulsive actions might harm Dustin.
"Darian, has this guy already been under your control?" a girl asked.
"Of course!"
Darian smirked arrogantly. "He's now nothing but a puppet, without pain, without memory. He'll do whatever I tell him to do, completely obedient, and with no recollection afterward."
"Really? Then can you make him slap himself?" the girl asked with anticipation.
"No problem."
Darian grinned maliciously, turned to Dustin, and commanded, "Now, use your hand and give yourself a good slap."
"Darian! You—"
Isabela was about to intervene, but before she could, Dustin had already raised his hand. In front of everyone's astonished gaze, he slapped Darian right across the face.
"Smack!"
The slap was powerful, causing Darian to stagger, feeling dizzy, and blood started flowing from his nose.
"Ah?"
The sudden turn of events left everyone dumbfounded.
Wasn't he supposed to slap himself?
How did he end up slapping Darian?
"??"
Darian was utterly bewildered, holding his throbbing face, finding it hard to believe.
He wondered if he had given the wrong command or if Dustin had misunderstood.
"Hey! Are you deaf or what?"
Darian wiped off the blood and shouted angrily, "I told you to slap yourself, not me!"
"Smack!"
Without any unnecessary movements, Dustin delivered another slap to Darian's face, this time with even greater force, causing him to stumble, teeth flying.
Darian's once plump face now resembled a swollen bun, with clear finger marks.
Isabela was frozen in shock.
Dominic was equally stunned.
The wealthy kids around couldn't comprehend what was happening.
Weren't they supposed to be completely obedient?
Why wasn't he following the script?
"Damn! Are you rebelling against me? Watch how I teach you a lesson today!"
After picking himself up, Darian was furious. He grabbed a bottle of wine from the coffee table and was about to smash it on Dustin's head.
But before he could do that, as he raised the bottle, Dustin delivered yet another slap to his face. Darian's vision spun, and he fell flat on the floor, eating dirt.
"Damn! Are you deaf or what?"
Darian yelled, his face red with anger. "I told you to slap yourself, not me!"
"Smack!"
"No good!"
Dustin raised his hand once again and slapped Darian. With each word Darian uttered, his face received another resounding slap.
By now, Darian's nose was crooked, his mouth was askew, and his appearance was horrifying.
Forced to desperation, he could only curl up on the ground, hands covering his head, wailing repeatedly, "Stop, stop... I was wrong, I was wrong... Please, stop!"
Dustin paid no heed, continuing his onslaught with eyes shut, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks as if he were possessed.
"Quick! Stop him!"
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Dominic hurriedly ordered a few of his underlings to intervene.
However, as soon as the underlings got close, Dustin singlehandedly slapped them away, sending them sprawling.
The scene had completely descended into chaos.
Chapter 1343 Ruined Handsome Face
"What the hell! What's going on? Is this guy insane?" Watching Dustin acting possessed, Dominic furrowed his brow, his face turning ugly.
But he didn't dare to approach, or he'd get slapped too.
Suddenly, Dominic seemed to have an idea and shouted, "Darian! This guy has gone out of control. Release the spell!"
"Release, release, release—the spell!" Darian, enduring the pain, quickly tore off the talisman on Dustin's chest.
The next moment, Dustin shivered all over and immediately stopped his actions.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief, finally bringing things under control.
Damn, after losing control, this guy was as strong as an ox, and ordinary people couldn't stop him.
"What happened?" After a few breaths, Dustin slowly opened his eyes, looking bewildered. He turned his head left and right, wearing a strange expression. "Huh... what happened to your faces?"
The several young men who had been slapped bit their tongues, suppressing their anger but unable to retaliate. They could only pretend not to know anything.
"Ah! Darian, how did you get injured like this?" Dustin looked down and was shocked. He quickly helped the bruised and swollen Darian, showing deep concern. "Who hit you just now? They went too far, didn't they? Look at your handsome face, it's been ruined! It's truly despicable!"
Darian's face twitched uncontrollably, tears streaming down his cheeks. He had been crying from the pain.
Damn it! He was so frustrated! If it were anyone else who had dared to hit him like this, he would have been furious long ago. But the fact that he had initiated this with his witchcraft, and then lost control, led to the current situation.
In other words, he had brought this upon himself.
Faced with this situation, he could only swallow his pride.
"Darian, why are you crying? Here, let me wipe your tears for you," Dustin said compassionately, pulling out two tissues and offering to wipe Darian's tears.
"Get away! Stay far from me!"
Darian covered his face, retreating two steps as if he were a frightened bird.
The series of slaps had left him traumatized.
"What's going on?" Dustin pretended to be confused. "Why are all of you looking at me like that? What happened?"
"Cough, cough..." Isabela cleared her throat, wearing a somewhat strange expression. "Dustin, you were controlled by Darian's mystical technique just now, but then you unexpectedly lost control, and you went on a rampage, relentlessly beating up Darian."
"What? I lost control? Went on a rampage?"
Dustin was momentarily stunned, pretending to be surprised. "Really? So you're saying that I caused all those injuries on Darian's face?"
"That's right," Isabela nodded.
"No wonder... No wonder my hand hurts so much."
Dustin rubbed his palm and looked at Darian. He said with a sigh, "Darian, you really should be more careful when practicing your skills. Look what you've done. You made me lose control. Well... let's forget about it. Today's incident, let's consider it a lesson."
"You... you..." Darian was about to say something, but when he opened his mouth, his teeth fell out, making him cover his mouth in panic.
Otherwise, he'd be searching for his teeth all over the floor.
Chapter 1344 Some Strange Tricks
"Alright, let's call it a day," Isabela said as she stood up slowly. She glanced at Dominic and added, "I have lunch plans with Dustin, so I won't keep you company any longer. I wish you all a good time."
With that, she linked her arm with Dustin's and swaggered out of the VIP room.
Leaving behind a group of people looking at each other with unpleasant expressions.
The good mood from earlier had been completely ruined.
"Darian, how are you feeling? Are you okay?" Dominic examined Darian's injuries and saw that he was in a miserable state. His face had been severely disfigured, making his originally unattractive features even more unsightly.
"Damn it! That guy hit me way too hard. I've never been humiliated like this before!" Darian, his remaining teeth clenched, looked resentful.
"Originally, I wanted you to teach that guy a lesson, but you ended up hurting yourself instead," Dominic shook his head.
If you're not skilled, don't show off. It's embarrassing.
"It's strange. My mind control technique has always been foolproof. Master Heinrich said that as long as the other person isn't from the same sect, they can't resist it," Darian furrowed his brows, lost in thought.
"Isn't it possible... that the guy named Dustin was intentionally acting?" Suddenly, Charlotte Beaumont, the woman in the red dress, chimed in.
"Intentionally acting?" When these words came out, everyone's gaze turned toward her.
"I find it strange. Even if he lost control, would he really grab Darian and beat him up like that?" Charlotte Beaumont analyzed.
"That makes sense," Dominic stroked his chin, deep in thought. "That kid looks polite, but he's quite cunning. We shouldn't rule out the possibility that he did it intentionally."
"It's really weird.
"Nothing in this world is absolute. Maybe that kid has some strange tricks up his sleeve," Dominic squinted his eyes. "Darian, think carefully. Why would a normal person willingly become a guinea pig? He not only didn't resist, but he also readily agreed. Don't you find that strange?"
"Now that you mention it, it does seem off." Darian began to ponder.
In the elite circle of Stonia, there were many talented individuals.
Meeting someone from the same field was not impossible.
"Darian, today, it seems like we've been set up by someone. The attack was so severe. If we don't regain our dignity, how can we face others in the future?" Dominic's face darkened.
"Damn it! I swear I won't let this go!" Darian pounded the table in frustration.
Due to his forceful movement, he pulled on his wound, causing him to grimace in pain.
"Miss Torby seems to hold Dustin in high regard. It might not be easy to make a move on him," Charlotte pointed out.
"Isabela is indeed troublesome, but we can take care of it discreetly," Dominic sneered. "He's just a pretty boy without power or influence. As long as we handle it quietly, there won't be any trouble."
"That's right! Isabela can only protect him temporarily. She won't be able to protect him forever. Sooner or later, I will kill him!" Darian declared fiercely.
"Darian, to keep things low-key and avoid arousing suspicion, we should ask Master Heinrich to step in. With his abilities, I believe he can easily resolve this matter," Dominic suggested.
"No problem! I'll contact Master Heinrich. Within three days, I'll make sure that kid has no place to bury himself!" Darian's eyes gleamed with determination.
Darian, as the young master of the Mystborne family, if he didn't avenge himself after being humiliated like this, how could he show his face in the social circle?
"Hmph! Dare to steal my woman? You're truly seeking your own death!" Dominic sneered with a cold smile.
Chapter 1345 Lucky Star
"Hahaha... Little Divine Doctor, those slaps you just delivered were truly beautiful. You turned Darian's chubby face into a pig's head. It's really cracking me up," Isabela said as they walked out of the Imperial Club, her laughter shaking her whole body, dispelling the previous gloom.
Originally, she had brought Dustin here to assert dominance and purposely provoke Dominic. She hadn't expected the effect to be so good. Not only did she disgust the scumbag, but she also gave his group of friends a beating, which was quite satisfying.
"In the end, it's their own fault. If they didn't have malicious intentions, they wouldn't have ended up like this," Dustin said with a faint smile.
"What's that called? Trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice!" Isabela couldn't help but chuckle.
She naturally understood that Darian had intentionally targeted Dustin earlier, but his lack of skill had led to an accidental loss of control. In the end, instead of harming others, he had harmed himself, which was a kind of retribution.
"Don't worry; I can easily handle them." Isabela said with confidence.
She knew that Darian and his friends were not good people. She wanted Dustin to avoid dealing with such people in the future, as someone as inexperienced as her might easily be taken advantage of.
"Rest assured, I'll deal with them discreetly."
Isabela lifted her chin and smiled proudly. "Little Divine Doctor, I've noticed that you seem to be my lucky star. You saved me before, and now you've helped me again. Since we're together, I feel like I've become luckier!"
"I also owe you for obtaining the Dragon Blood Ginseng," Dustin smiled.
"Hehe... Does that mean we're mutually beneficial to each other? Great! Starting today, you're my male bestie!" Isabela declared with her hands on her hips, as if making a proclamation.
Dustin couldn't help but laugh.
This girl really doesn't have any guard up.
"Master, Master, there's a call for you..."
Suddenly, Isabela's phone rang.
After answering the call, her expression changed immediately. "What? Grandfather is in trouble? Alright, alright... I'll be right there!"
She hung up the phone, got into her car in a hurry, and then seemed to remember something. She stuck her head out of the car window and said quickly, "Little Divine Doctor, something urgent has come up at home. I need to rush back. We'll have to postpone our meal to another day."
"Sure, take care," Dustin nodded and waved goodbye, watching Isabela drive away.
At this moment, Dustin's eyelids twitched, and he suddenly felt that he was being watched. He turned his head and looked towards a car parked on the side of the road. The car's windows were unusually dark, making it impossible to see inside clearly. However, he had a strong sense of being observed.
"Hmm..."
After staring for a few seconds, the vehicle suddenly started and quickly drove away.
Dustin snorted coldly and began to calculate.
It seemed that he was being followed.
Was it the Stratford family? Or the Grantwood family?
Dustin didn't think too much about it and hailed a taxi. He headed straight for the hotel.
"Ring, ring, ring..."
At this moment, his phone suddenly rang again. When he checked the caller ID, it displayed 'Maximus Kane.'
"Hello! Dustin, I have some good news to tell you. I'm in Stonia!" Maximus's excited voice came through the phone as soon as he answered.
"Why are you in Stonia instead of staying in Millsburg?" Dustin was a bit puzzled.
Before he left, he had appointed Maximus as the head of the Flame Dragon Hall (Cornelius vacated the position due to his appointment as deputy of the Kirin Gang). In Millsburg, Maximus was already considered a prominent figure.
"Cornelius said that since you're alone outside, it might be a bit inconvenient. So, he sent us over to help you with some minor matters," Maximus said with a smile.
"Us?" Dustin quickly caught onto the key word. "Besides you, who else is with you?"
Chapter 1346 The Standard Room Cost
"And Caitlin is with me," Maximus said. "Since Senior Gregory left, Caitlin has been feeling lonely at home, so she decided to come out and experience the world. We haven't been to Stonia before, and we've heard that it's a place of great talents and natural beauty, so we wanted to see it for ourselves."
"While Stonia is indeed a place of great talents and natural beauty, it's also a place where the waters run deep. Just the two of you, you might not even know if you're being taken advantage of," Dustin said, somewhat exasperated.
"But you're here, Dustin, so we have nothing to fear," Maximus replied with a smile.
"Alright, alright, stop flattering me. Where are you two right now?" Dustin asked.
"Oh, we just got off the train, at the South Station," Maximus replied.
"Stay right where you are; I'll come to pick you up."
Dustin hung up the phone and instructed his driver to turn around and head to the South Station.
One hour later.
The car pulled up at the entrance of the South Station.
"Dustin! Over here!" As soon as Dustin got out of the car, he saw Maximus and Caitlin waving and cheering.
They had brought numerous pieces of luggage with them, and it looked more like they were moving than going on a trip.
"Why did you bring so much stuff?" Dustin asked, somewhat amused.
"It's better to be prepared; we've brought everything we might need," Maximus said with a grin.
It was their first time visiting the capital, Stonia, and they were naturally excited and nervous, so they had made thorough preparations.
"Alright, let's find a place to stay first, and then we can have a meal together," Dustin suggested.
"Okay," Maximus agreed.
"Mr. Dustin, you have a distinguished status, so please allow me to handle these things," Caitlin said as she began to struggle to carry their luggage onto the car.
Even though she was out of breath and tired, she refused to let anyone help her.
Dustin couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. Caitlin hadn't changed at all; she was used to hard work from a young age, and if she didn't do something, she felt uncomfortable.
Once they were in the car, Dustin led the two of them back to the hotel where he was staying.
The hotel was a five-star establishment, not particularly luxurious in Stonia's Willowbrook (South City), but it was still quite expensive.
Entering the hotel, Caitlin looked around with wide eyes, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
When she noticed someone looking at her, she immediately lowered her head and covered her face with her bag, appearing somewhat self-conscious.
"Mr. Dustin, how much does it cost to stay here for one night in this area?" Caitlin asked timidly as Dustin was checking in.
"This is a prime location; a standard room costs about 2,000 per night," Dustin casually replied.
"What? That expensive?" Caitlin was taken aback, frozen in place.
In the past, she had to work hard for a whole month just to earn 2,000.
Now, for just one night's stay, she had to spend so much money. This was hard for her to accept, as she was used to being frugal.
"Oh? It's so expensive?" Caitlin was shocked, her expression stiffening.
"Caitlin, don't worry about it. Dustin doesn't lack money; just relax and check in," Maximus reassured her with a smile.
"No...no, it's too expensive!" Caitlin shook her head repeatedly. "Mr. Dustin, this place is not suitable for me. I won't stay here; I'll find a cheaper place outside."
With that, she picked up her bags and hurriedly ran out of the hotel.
Her panicked appearance made it seem as if this place was some kind of dangerous place.
"..." Dustin and Maximus looked at each other, unable to help but smile.
Helpless and somewhat worried, they realized that Caitlin had endured too much hardship and experienced too much darkness in the past. When the light finally came, she didn't dare to accept it.
Chapter 1347 The Serenity Villa
Dustin didn't force Caitlin to stay in a luxury hotel but instead bought a villa for them in a relatively secluded area.
It was a two-story villa with fine furnishings and a small garden. They paid for it and could move in right away.
Dustin thought that since he had to stay in Stonia for a while, it would be more convenient to buy a villa rather than renting or staying in hotels, especially considering his current financial status.
Staying in the villa provided Caitlin with a sense of security, and she found comfort in the fact that the property's value was likely to appreciate in Stonia's real estate market. Plus, she could cook her own meals, which would save money.
After all the arrangements were made, it was already dark outside.
Dustin and Maximus were quite hungry by this time.
Fortunately, Caitlin had thought ahead and bought groceries, preparing a delicious dinner for the two of them.
The meal consisted of five dishes and a soup, featuring both meat and vegetables, and it was a delightful feast for the senses.
It was undeniable that Caitlin had excellent culinary skills. She could turn simple ingredients into a delicious meal.
Dustin, on the other hand, felt somewhat inferior in this regard.
After dinner, Caitlin cleaned up the dishes on her own, showing her self-sufficiency.
Dustin and Maximus went to the balcony, where they enjoyed the view and had a conversation.
Suddenly, Dustin's phone rang.
He answered the call and immediately recognized the familiar and cold voice on the other end—it was Roselyn.
"Dustin, come to The Groove Club as soon as possible. I have something important to discuss with you."
"Why don't you just tell me over the phone? I'm busy and don't have time to run back and forth," Dustin replied nonchalantly.
"This matter is very important. If you don't come, you'll regret it!" Roselyn's tone was serious.
"If you're not going to say it, I'll hang up," Dustin replied, not wanting to waste time.
"Wait! Don't you want to know why Lorenzo was at Healwell Clinic?" Roselyn hurriedly said.
"What?" Dustin's eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to say? Explain it clearly."
"I know some secrets about Lorenzo. Come to The Groove Club at 9 o'clock tonight, or you'll miss out!" Roselyn said.
"Alright, I'll be there shortly," Dustin replied quickly.
Roselyn's late-night appointment definitely meant she had some ulterior motive.
However, he was curious about the secret she mentioned. Could it be that Elijah had some hidden agenda that he wasn't aware of?
"Maximus, I need to go somewhere, come with me," Dustin said, turning to his friend.
"Sure, let’s go," Maximus replied.
Half an hour later, Dustin and Maximus arrived at the entrance of The Groove Club.
The Groove Club appeared to be a private club on the surface but was actually an underground casino.
It had a strict membership system, and regular people were not allowed to enter.
Stonia had always prohibited gambling, so the existence of this luxurious casino in the heart of the city, which openly flouted the law, indicated the considerable power of its hidden owner.
Dustin and Maximus had informed the club in advance, and they were led inside.
Following the service staff through a spacious and luxurious gambling hall, they reached a private VIP room.
Compared to the noisy main hall outside, the VIP room was a completely different world—elegant, exquisite, and tranquil.
Chapter 1348 To The Groove
Inside the VIP room, there were more than a dozen various gambling tables scattered about, with some wealthy patrons seated around them.
Each patron had a dedicated, attentive female attendant who took care of everything except gambling for them. The service was meticulous, to say the least.
These patrons were either rich or powerful, casually betting tens of thousands or even millions. Some of the high rollers were known to bet tens of millions or more.
This was a world that ordinary people could never enter.
Upon entering the VIP room, Dustin immediately spotted two familiar faces seated at the central table—Carlos and Roselyn.
Considering Roselyn's status, it was unlikely that she could enter the VIP room. The person who had actually arranged the meeting with him was probably Carlos.
"Hey there, Dustin, you've arrived! Come, let's play a couple of rounds together."
Carlos stood up and warmly invited Dustin to take a seat, wearing a radiant smile on his face. However, there was a hint of coldness in his eyes.
"Carlos, why did you ask to meet me? Get straight to the point," Dustin asked directly, not beating around the bush.
"Don't be in such a hurry. Let's play a bit first, and then we'll discuss business," Carlos said with a smile.
His face was friendly, but his eyes held a certain iciness.
"Dustin, you can play freely today. If you win, it's all yours, but if you lose, it's on me!" Carlos said, exuding an air of generosity.
"I don't like gambling, and I don't like beating around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it," Dustin replied, unaffected.
He had no interest in this place, which was a paradise for gamblers.
"Humph! You're really straightforward, Dustin," Carlos chuckled, "The main reason I invited you here today is to introduce you to a big shot. With him as your backer, you'll be able to walk sideways in Willowbrook!"
"Oh? Who is this person?" Dustin asked.
"This big shot is none other than the owner of The Groove Club, Mr. Ashford, Benedict Ashford!" Carlos said with a touch of pride.
"I'm sorry, I haven't heard of him," Dustin replied casually.
"Humph! If you don't even know Mr Ashford, you really know nothing!" Roselyn, who was sitting next to him, sneered in disdain.
In Willowbrook, Benedict, also known as Mr Ashford, was a dominant figure, challenging both the Stratford and Torby families, the two major influential families in the city.
Anyone with a bit of knowledge would have heard of Mr Ashford's reputation.
"Is Mr Ashford really that impressive? I wonder if his head can withstand my sword," Maximus coldly interjected.
"Dustin, is this your friend?" Carlos looked Maximus up and down, his expression turning unfriendly. "Kid, you should be careful with your word. This is Mr Ashford's territory. If you're not careful, you won't leave here alive!"
Maximus was about to say something else when Dustin raised his hand to stop him.
"I'm not interested in meeting Mr Ashford. I just want to know about Lorenzo," Dustin said.
Before Dustin could continue, the door to the VIP room suddenly swung open.
Following that, a middle-aged man, tall and burly, wearing a suit, swaggered in.
The man was smoking a cigar, and his massive presence seemed to exude an oppressive force even when he stood still.
This man was none other than Benedict, the owner of The Groove Club and the underground overlord of Willowbrook.
"Benedict is here, and you're in luck!" Carlos said with a wicked smile, seeming ready to enjoy the show.
"Hello, Mr Ashford!"
"Hi, Mr Ashford!"
As Benedict entered, all the patrons inside the VIP room stood up to greet him, displaying a respectful attitude.
"Hi, everyone."
Benedict raised his hand to gesture, and then he walked towards Carlos, looking down on him.
"Carlos, have you brought the person I asked for?"
"Of course, Mr Ashford. I wouldn't dare to disobey your orders," Carlos replied obsequiously, extending his hand to introduce Dustin. "Here, this is the person you were looking for!"
Chapter 1349 Sold to the Torby Family
"Oh? Is that so?"
Benedict followed Carlos's gesture and fixed his gaze on Dustin. He carefully observed Dustin, his eyes carrying an invisible aggressiveness.
"Indeed, a young and promising talent."
Benedict grinned, "Don't just stand there, have a seat. We have something to discuss."
With that, he plopped down on the nearby sofa and took a sip of red wine that a waitress had just brought him.
He exuded an air of grandiosity.
"Dustin, this is the famous Mr Ashford. You should behave well and not miss this opportunity," Carlos said with a half-smile.
"So, you brought me out here just to introduce me to this Mr Ashford?" Dustin asked.
"Young man, I had Carlos bring you here to discuss a deal with you," Benedict said, taking a deep puff of his cigar and exhaling a smoke ring that floated toward Dustin's face. However, it suddenly shattered and disappeared into thin air just a foot away from him.
"A deal?"
Dustin asked without emotion, "Is it about the recipe for Jade Dew Ointment?"
"Smart! I like talking to clever people."
Benedict snapped his fingers and grinned, "Since you know what I'm looking for, let's get straight to the point. How much money do you want? Just name your price, and I won't haggle."
"Benedict, the recipe for Jade Dew Ointment is not available anymore," Dustin flatly refused.
"What? You sold it?" Carlos's eyes widened, and he became excited. "Who did you sell it to? Why didn't you mention it earlier?"
He had gone to great lengths, even involving Mr Ashford, just to obtain the recipe.
To his surprise, Dustin had already sold the recipe to someone else.
"The recipe for Jade Dew Ointment has already been sold to the Torby family, so I'm afraid you'll be disappointed today," Dustin said, spreading his hands.
"The Torby family?"
Hearing this, Carlos immediately furrowed his brows.
The Torby family was one of the Eight Noble Families in Stonia, and it wouldn't be easy to take something away from them.
"Young man, how much did the Torby family pay you? I'm willing to offer double," Benedict suddenly spoke.
With his power and the backing he had, he had no fear of the Torby family.
"Sir, the recipe for Jade Dew Ointment has already been sold. You can't back out of it. If you want it, you can negotiate with the Torby family," Dustin said.
"Young man, the things that pique my interest are few and far between. People who can negotiate with me are even rarer. This is your chance of a lifetime. Seize it," Benedict said with a smile, although his eyes carried a warning.
"It's not about the price. I've already sold the recipe for Jade Dew Ointment," Dustin replied.
"What? Sold?" Carlos was visibly shocked and disappointed. "Who did you sell it to?"
"The Torby family."
The Torby family was one of the eight prestigious families in Stonia, so snatching their secret recipe wouldn't be easy.
"Young man, how much did the Torby family offer you? I'm willing to double it," suddenly interjected Benedict.
With his influence and powerful backers, he had no fear of the Torby family.
"In matters of business, once a deal is made and the formula is sold, there's no turning back. If you are interested, you can negotiate with the Torby family," replied Dustin.
"Young man, if you can sell to the Torby family, you can certainly sell to me as well. Double the money for one formula. Isn't that tempting?" Benedict chuckled.
"Exactly! Your dealings with Mr. Ashford can remain private; the Torby family will never find out. Once you write down the formula and take the money, you can live carefree for the rest of your life, traveling and enjoying yourself," enticingly said Carlos.
"If the Torby family ever finds out I sold it to them and then sold it again, I might not live long enough to spend that money," Dustin shook his head.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you from the Torby family. They won't dare to harm you," Benedict said confidently.
"Mr Ashford, would you really be willing to go against the Torby family for a stranger?" Dustin hinted with a deeper meaning.
"Hehe... You are indeed a clever one," Benedict placed his cigar in the ashtray and pressed it down. He continued with a smile, "While I won't openly confront the Torby family for you, I can assure you that I'll make sure they can't find you, which is a way to ensure your safety."
"Mr Ashford, I can't entrust my safety to someone else, so I must apologize," Dustin shook his head.
"Hmm?"
Chapter 1350 To Challenge Mr Ashford
Hearing this, Benedict's smile slowly faded, and his gaze gradually turned sharp. "Young man, I hate it when people refuse me, especially repeatedly. I've been patient enough. You'd better not disappoint me."
His words now carried a clear threat.
"Dustin, those who understand the situation are the ones who stand out. You should feel honored to have Mr Ashford's favor. If you persist stubbornly, you might stir up trouble for yourself!" Carlos warned.
"All right, stop the nonsense," Benedict said impatiently. "Today, I want that Jade Dew Ointment recipe. Hand it over honestly, and not only will you be safe, but you'll also receive a substantial sum of money."
"What if I don't hand it over?" Dustin asked.
"Don't hand it over? Hmph!"
Benedict sneered and clapped his hands.
*Clap, clap!*
As he clapped his hands, the door to the VIP room suddenly swung open.
Following that, a group of burly men in suits rushed in with an imposing aura, numbering around forty to fifty. They all looked fierce and intimidating, like a pack of wolves.
"Kid, this is my territory. I can control your life and death with just a word."
Benedict slowly stood up, looking down at Dustin, and said, "Today, if you don't hand over the recipe, you might not leave this place!"
"Benedict, I don't want any trouble, but if you keep pushing, don't blame me for smashing your The Groove Club!" Dustin coldly stated.
Upon hearing this, Benedict first froze, then burst into hearty laughter, as if he had heard the biggest joke.
"Damn! Is this guy out of his mind? Daring to challenge Mr Ashford?"
"Talk about being fearless for a newcomer!"
Some of the high rollers in the hall abandoned their gambling and eagerly watched the drama unfolding.
"Hmph! Ignorant!"
Carlos sneered, looking at Dustin as if he were a fool.
Roselyn crossed her arms, displaying a smug expression.
"Kid, do you even know what you're saying?"
After the laughter, Benedict's face suddenly turned cold. "Just because of that statement, you won't believe me when I say I could shoot you dead with one bullet!"
With those words, he suddenly drew a gun from his waist and aimed it at Dustin's forehead.
Dustin stood motionless, as if nothing had happened, and calmly said, "Mr Ashford, your gun's safety is still on."
"You...!"
Benedict's eye twitched, about to erupt in anger.
But then, a seductive and charming female voice lightly drifted in.
"Mr Ashford, what's got you so worked up? You even brought out your weapon?"
Following the voice, a woman entered the room. She wore a silver tight-fitting skirt, crystal high-heeled shoes, and had fiery red lips, an exquisite figure, and alluring looks.
Her brown wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her long, shapely legs, encased in black stockings, moved gracefully, as if stepping on the hearts of the men in the room with each step.
She carried a delicate designer bag in her left hand and a woman's cigarette in her right hand, with a seductive smile on her lips.
She appeared incredibly captivating.
"Belinda?"
Upon seeing her, Roselyn immediately furrowed her brow.
It was an unexpected encounter with this disliked woman in such a place.
..you thank me Karen's
I already read all chapter up to publish in Chinese. But when a new chapter post by you, I always read that again. 
but anyway i prefer you’re version because I already started reading it and i like the way how you translate everything. 
