An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Chapter 381

“Why? Just why!” Jayla burned with jealousy. If she had known the gemstone was hiding a priceless

treasure, she would never have sold it. In the end, it ended up in the hands of a country bumpkin! What

a loss!

“What a turn of events. This is such a blessing!” Dustin held the Flower of Crimson Gem up in one

hand, the corner of his lips curling up into a wide smile. From the moment he laid eyes on the

gemstone, he knew it was hiding something exceptional. Just as he expected, he had discovered a

true treasure.

The Flower of Crimson Gem was not an ordinary flower. It was an extremely rare treasure.

Typically, it could only be found in red gemstones. And it just so happened that the red gemstone

on auction today was a Crimson Gem.

Previously, he felt regretful thinking about the 900–year green lotus. However, the appearance of the

Flower of Crimson Gem came as a blessing and a happy surprise. At least he didn’t travel all

the way here for nothing.

“Ms. Grant, don’t you think a price of two billion dollars is extremely worth it for this precious

item?” He turned to look at her and flashed a smile. “Should I say you’re the true idiot here?”

“You…” Jayla was rendered speechless. The vicious words she had thrown out earlier at them

were now directed at herself. She had spent three billion to purchase a subpar item, while Dustin

had paid a mere two billion in exchange for an invaluable treasure. The stark difference was

maddening!

“Ms. Grant, thank you for the treasure. We shall meet again soon.” Dustin smiled and prepared to

leave.

“Hold it!” Jayla suddenly called out to him. “Did I say you could leave?”

“Hmm? Are you going to treat us to a meal?” Dustin smiled teasingly.

“Stop talking back. I’m taking that Flower of Crimson Gem! Name your price!” She demanded angrily.

Naturally, she wasn’t going to give up such a rare gem.

Dustin refused her outright. “I’m sorry, I’m not selling it.

“Not selling?” Jayla scoffed coldly. “Let me tell you honestly. Since I want it, you are selling that

treasure to me no matter what.”

Dustin raised his eyebrows. “Oh? Since when has that been the law?”

“Shut up! My words are the law!” She glared at him. “Don’t paint me as a bully. Since you spent two

billion to purchase it, I’ll buy it back from you for two billion! You won’t incur any losses!”

“And if I don’t?” Dustin smiled. Did she take him for an idiot? He was to resell a two–billion–dollar

purchase for two billion dollars?

“Then you’ll bear the consequences!” Jayla threatened.

The Flower of Crimson Gem would be able to elevate her brother’s martial arts prowess to another

level. That was the reason she needed to obtain it, even if that meant putting down her dignity.

“It’s a priceless treasure! It’s definitely a priceless treasure!”

“Damn it, that punk spent a mere two billion for a Flower of Crimson Gem. Lucky bastard!”

The crowd looked at the Flower of Crimson Gem with tremendous greed and envy, like a beggar who

chanced upon gold. A few daring individuals had even started concocting a plan secretly.

“Flower of Crimson Gem? How is that possible?” Jayla was dumbfounded as she looked on in disbelief.

A Flower of Crimson Gem was an extremely rare treasure that could only be chanced upon once in a

blue moon. It was much more valuable than a thousand–year green lotus. Who would have thought

she could encounter it in a place like this?

At the heart of the matter, the Grant family was the one who discovered that red gemstone, and she

had delivered it personally to the auction house. In other words, she had given away that priceless

treasure!

The realization left her feeling light–headed.

“Why? Just why!” Jayla burned with jealousy. If she had known the gemstone was hiding a priceless

treasure, she would never have sold it. In the end, it ended up in the hands of a country bumpkin! What

a loss!

“What a turn of events. This is such a blessing!” Dustin held the Flower of Crimson Gem up in one

hand, the corner of his lips curling up into a wide smile. From the moment he laid eyes on the

gemstone, he knew it was hiding something exceptional. Just as he expected, he had discovered a true

treasure.

The Flower of Crimson Gem was not an ordinary flower. It was an extremely rare treasure. Typically, it

could only be found in red gemstones. And it just so happened that the red gemstone on auction today

was a Crimson Gem.

Previously, he felt regretful thinking about the 900–year green lotus. However, the appearance of the

Flower of Crimson Gem came as a blessing and a happy surprise. At least he didn’t travel all the way

here for nothing.

“Ms. Grant, don’t you think a price of two billion dollars is extremely worth it for this precious item?” He

turned to look at her and flashed a smile. “Should I say you’re the true idiot here?”

“You…” Jayla was rendered speechless. The vicious words she had thrown out earlier at them were

now directed at herself. She had spent three billion to purchase a subpar item, while Dustin had paid a

mere two billion in exchange for an invaluable treasure. The stark difference was maddening!

“Ms. Grant, thank you for the treasure. We shall meet again soon.” Dustin smiled and prepared to

leave.

“Hold it!” Jayla suddenly called out to him. “Did I say you could leave?”

“Hmm? Are you going to treat us to a meal?” Dustin smiled teasingly.

“Stop talking back. I’m taking that Flower of Crimson Gem! Name your price!” She demanded angrily.

Naturally, she wasn’t going to give up such a rare gem.

Dustin refused her outright. “I’m sorry, I’m not selling it.”

“Not selling?” Jayla scoffed coldly. “Let me tell you honestly. Since I want it, you are selling that

treasure to me no matter what.”

Dustin raised his eyebrows. “Oh? Since when has that been the law?”

“Shut up! My words are the law!” She glared at him. “Don’t paint me as a bully. Since you spent two

billion to purchase it, I’ll buy it back from you for two billion! You won’t incur any losses!”

“And if I don’t?” Dustin smiled. Did she take him for an idiot? He was to resell a two–billion–dollar

purchase for two billion dollars?

“Then you’ll bear the consequences!” Jayla threatened.

The Flower of Crimson Gem would be able to elevate her brother’s martial arts prowess to another

level. That was the reason she needed to obtain it, even if that meant putting down her dignity.

Chapter 381

“How disappointing. It seems like the Grant family only amounts to so much.” He shook his head.

“Let me repeat myself. I’m not selling the Flower of Crimson Gem. If you insist on stealing it from me,

don’t blame me for taking action.” With that, he left, with Roderick following after him.

“Hmph, we’ll see who has the last laugh.” Jayla sneered and took out her phone, making a phone call..

In the whole Southern Province, he was the first to not yield to the Grants. Since he didn’t wish to part

with his treasure, he shouldn’t blame her for his own demise.

They had just left the auction house when Dustin noticed they were being followed. He had to admit

that the Grants were pretty efficient. It seemed like this wasn’t their first time.

“Mr. Rhys, it appears we have some unwanted company,” Roderick remarked, also noticing the tail.

“No need to bother about them. Let’s just leave quickly.” Dustin didn’t bother to confront them and was

prepared to leave. However, things don’t always go as planned. A group of masked men suddenly had

them surrounded when they reached a certain alley. There were around 20 to 30 men, each armed with

a weapon.

“Hey, punk! I heard you got a valuable treasure with you. Give it to us, and I might let you two walk

away alive!” The leader of the group brandished his knife, his tone frosty.

“Do you mean this?” Dustin took out the Flower of Crimson Gem.

The leader’s gaze betrayed his excitement. “That’s the one! Give it to me now!”

“Come get it yourself if you can.” Dustin placed it back into his pockets and beckoned them forward

with his finger.

The leader’s expression darkened. He felt like he was being played. “Die, punk! Get him! We need to

get that item back!” On his orders, the masked men charged forward at the same time.

Dustin smiled lightly, then flicked his wrist. Numerous silver needles shot out with sharp whistles,

piercing straight into the men’s acupoints. The next second, they were frozen to the spot, and their

weapons were still raised. It appeared as if time stopped for them, and the only thing they could move

was their eyes.

“What?” The leader’s expression betrayed his horror as he took in the scene before him. Without any

warning, another silver needle shot out and pierced into his neck. What followed was a numbing

sensation that was hard to suppress. No matter how much he struggled to free himself, it was in vain.

“W–who are you?” He spat out with difficulty.

“I’m in a good mood today. I don’t wish to kill.” Dustin walked up to him and said coolly.

“When you get back, ask Jayla to stop provoking me. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to handle it

when I decide enough is enough.” With that, he left haughtily, with Roderick behind him.

After 15 minutes, Jayla arrived at the scene and frowned. Not only was Dustin nowhere to be found,

but her bodyguards were all frozen in their spots.

“What happened? Where’s my Flower of Crimson Gem?” Jayla questioned them sternly.

The leader appeared helpless as he responded, “Ms. Grant, he’s too strong. We’re no match for him.”

“What a bunch of useless trash! What am I paying you for if you can’t even handle some country

bumpkin?” Jayla snapped at them.

They lowered their heads, unable to utter a word.

“Where did they go?” Jayla demanded.

The leader pondered for a moment. “I don’t know. But from their accents, they should be from Swinton.”

“Swinton?” She narrowed her eyes. “It just so happens that I’m heading there tomorrow to ask for the

bride’s hand in my brother’s stead. Since he’s from Swinton, I’m going to find him no matter what!”

“Ms. Grant, he doesn’t seem like an ordinary person,” The leader advised.

“Hah! So what? Even if he had three heads and six arms. I’ll make sure to deal with him cleanly!”

She cocked her head up in confidence. “Hey! What are you still standing there for? Go back and get

ready! We need to put on a good show worthy of our name for our journey to Swinton tomorrow!”