“What?” Dustin touched his burning cheek. He looked at Dahlia in disbelief. He never imagined she would slap him in public for the sake of someone she had just met. It felt like a stab to his heart.
“I …” Dahlia was at a loss for words as she looked at her hand. Regret had filled her immediately after the act. The situation was urgent, and she had acted on impulse. Gavin was a powerful general in the army, and Dustin would have faced dire consequences if he had hurt him.
“You actually hit me?” Dustin furrowed his brow. “You hit me for a stranger?” “Dustin, calm down. I did it for your own good,” Dahlia tried to explain. “Calm down?” Dustin’s lips formed into a wry smile. His disappointment was evident in his eyes.
“Dahlia Nicholson, how am I supposed to calm down? I made myself very clear. Gavin set me up and is playing the good guy in front of you. Can you please open up your eyes and look clearly?” Dahlia’s frown deepened. “Enough! Mr. Killian is a righteous person. He couldn’t possibly do such a thing!”
Gavin saved her when she was ambushed this morning. He also gifted her a precious Panax root when he found out Regulus was sick. He even ordered his men to get Dustin released after he was sent to Azkaban.
With such a warm and caring nature, how could he possibly be a bad person?
“So, you still don’t believe me.” Dustin chuckled. “It has always been like this. You’ve never fully trusted me. I thought you changed, but I realize now that I was too naive.”
“Dustin, we’ll discuss this when we get back. But don’t do anything foolish today!” Dahlia’s expression was solemn.
“We aren’t going back.” Dustin shook his head, and his gaze grew frosty. “Dahlia, I don’t think we are meant for each other. You’ve climbed up the social ladder anyway, and you don’t need to bother with someone like me anymore. Let’s part ways amicably. I wish you happiness.”
With that, he turned around and left. His heart had been torn apart too many times now.
Gavin’s lips curled up into an amusing smile. He didn’t retaliate earlier just to watch the unfolding drama. It was far more entertaining than getting into a fight with Dustin.
“Dustin, let me explain… ” Dahlia panicked after she returned to her senses. She was about to go after him when Julie held her back.
“Dahlia, why bother with him? He’s clearly an ungrateful brat. He even resorted to violence. We shouldn’t indulge him!”
“But…” Dahlia hesitated, feeling distressed and confused. She was at a loss for a moment.
She never expected things to escalate to this point. Dustin’s gaze as he left sent a chill down her spine. It was as if the distance between them was growing wider.
1/2
“Stop right there! Do you think you can just walk away after hitting someone?” Just before Dustin stepped out the door, a few security guards blocked his way. They glared at him fiercely.
Naturally, they couldn’t ignore the situation after they witnessed Gavin being attacked.
“Get lost,” Dustin spat out.
“How dare you!”
“Take him down!” The security guards got angry and brandished their batons, ready to strike. “I said, get lost!” Dustin raised a palm and delivered a series of slaps, sending the security personnel sprawling on the ground. They bled from their mouths and noses, unable to get up. “Just look at that, Dahlia! This guy is a violent maniac, resorting to violence without a second thought. He’s gone too far!” Julie added fuel to the fire.
“Hmph! He’s nothing but a mad dog that bites anyone he sees.” Julian sneered.
Dahlia furrowed her brows deeply, her heart in turmoil.
“You insolent bastard!”
“Arrest him!”
