Chapter 1367 by Marina Vittori
An Understated Dominance
Harper and Cody exchanged bewildered glances, completely thrown off by Ethanâs strange behavior. They silently questioned, âIs it really wise to respond to hostility with kindness? Are those high-society types really willing to risk their honor?â
Dustin smiled faintly. âIâve patched things up with the Langford family. Letâs put our issues on the table.â
Harper and Cody couldnât help but notice that Dustinâs smile seemed rather insincere. Cody tried to lighten the mood. â Dustin, this mess isnât my doing. Iâm a victim here, too. Iâve been waiting by the door, worried about your safety.â
But deep down, he couldnât help but think, âThis guyâs nuts! He even dared to face off with Hugo. Iâd be in for trouble if I crossed him.â
Dustin added, âWe can deal with our stuff later. Right now, I need to talk to her.â
He pointed toward Harper through the car window. Growing anxious, Harper urged, âCody, letâs get out of here, now!â
âYou want to run?â Maximus snorted. He punched through the car window. Then, he forcefully yanked the steering wheel and sent it flying and crashing into the Langford residence wall. Cody stared at his now-wheel-less car, nearly in tears. He muttered, âMy brand -new car!â
Harper was equally stunned and struggled for words. She wonders if anyone could really tear off a steering wheel like that.
With a stern expression, Dustin turned to Harper. âHarper, I rarely resort to violence against women, but your actions tonight have been infuriating.
âYou lured me out with a phone call, only to spring a trap with Cody. I might be dead now if it werenât for my luck.â
Harper, not one to back down, retorted, âWhy blame me? I have done nothing wrong. Itâs your fault!â Dustin sneered in response. âMy fault? Someone like you defies reason, and Iâm not here to argue.
âI just want to know one thing: Whatâs the story behind Mr. Shaffer? If you tell me the truth, I can pretend nothing happened.â
Harper, trying to be difficult, turned her head away and challenged, âWhy should I tell you?â
Dustin replied with a cool smile, âIf you donât, Iâll make you disappear from the face of the Earth.â
Harper threatened, âYou-How dare you! Iâm not someone to mess with. Lay a finger on me, and youâll regret it!â Dustin turned to Maximus and calmly instructed, âShow her what weâre capable of.â
âSure thing.â Maximus grinned widely, reaching inside to grab Harperâs hair and forcefully drag her out of the car.
âAh! Let go! Let go!â Harper struggled and screamed but couldnât escape Maximusâ firm grip.
With a sinister smile, Dustin took out a green bottle. He held it in front of Harper and said, â Iâve got a bottle of poison that can make your skin ulcerate, your muscles rot, and ensure they never recover.
Think about the consequences if it spills on your face.â
Panicking, Harper exclaimed, âRhys, donât do anything rash! Iâm Dr. Buschâs granddaughter!â
Seeing Dustinâs lack of response, she immediately turned to Cody for help. â Cody! Help me, please!â
âDust-â Cody wanted to say something but, with one stern, silent glance from Dustin, held his tongue.
He couldnât help but think, âDustin is too ruthless.â