Dustin stood in the middle of the boutique, looking as calm as a still lake. He didn't fret. He didn't shake. He just stood there with his hands in his pockets."Dustin, please," Serena whispered, her voice trembling. "Just apologize. You don't know what you’re doing."Lizzy nodded quickly, her face pale. "She’s right, Dustin. Just say you’re sorry. Henry’s family can destroy you in a second!"Henry, still rubbing his wrist on the floor, looked up with a cruel smile. "Hear that, village boy? My father is coming, and you’ll regret you miserable life today if you still refuse to be stubborn. If you kneel right now and plead for your life, I might let you crawl away. If not, I’ll make sure you never walk again I promise you."Dustin looked down at him and smiled hard, he didn’t even flinch, he stayed composed and relaxed as if he knows it all. “How dare you smile?” Henry said in disbelief and surprised."Is he mentally ill?" Rachel mocked."He thinks he’s a king in those ten-dollar sh

Henry looked at his father. Mr. Wilson looked very angy. He then looked at Dustin and saw a mountain that would not move. He had no choice. His legs felt like lead as he knelt to the floor. "I... I am sorry," Henry muttered."Louder!" Mr. Wilson shouted. "And you, girl! Get down there too!"Rachel’s face turned red. She was very embarrassed, she has never been this embarrassed in her life.She knelt down next to Henry. Both of them bowed to Dustin who had been been mocking a "village boy" were now bowing at his feet.“We are sorry for what we did,” they said together. "Now get out," Mr. Wilson hissed. "Get out before I decide to take away your credit cards too."Henry scrambled to his feet, his face twisted in rage. He didn't look back. He grabbed Rachel’s arm “Let’s go!” He said in a little grief expression and stormed out of the boutique.Once the doors closed, Mr. Wilson turned back to Dustin. He was sweating. He was terrified that his son’s disrespect would bring the wrath of th

Serena fought with every bit of strength she had left. She kicked and scratched, but the two guards held her down like stone statues. Mr. Roland walked over, his face twisted into a sick smile. He pulled a small glass vial from his pocket."Open up," he hissed with a lot of tension on his face.He grabbed her chin and forced her mouth open. He poured the liquid down her throat. Serena coughed and tried to spit it out, but he held her jaw shut until she swallowed.Within seconds, the fire in her muscles died out, replaced by a heavy, floating feeling of alcohol. Her arms felt so weak and tired, it was like a poison to her. The guards let her go, and she slumped to the floor. She tried to lift a hand, but she couldn't even wiggle her fingers."Stay outside," Mr. Roland told his men. "Do not let anyone in. Not even if the building is on fire."The guards walked out and locked the heavy door. Mr. Roland looked down at Serena and smirked. "You are finally mine," he whispered. He p

The air outside the assemblyman’s villa was heavy with the smell of blood and war. When Mrs. Earnshaw, Mrs. Morgan, and Ferdinand pulled up in a panic, there eyes never believed what they were seeing.Dustin was standing by the shattered entrance, his hands tucked into his pockets, looking as calm as a man waiting for a bus, he wasn’t too bothered by there appearance."You!" Mrs. Earnshaw screamed, stumbling out of the car. She rushed at him, her face twisted in a mask of terror and rage. "What are you doing here, you useless boy? Where is my daughter? Where is Serena?"Mrs. Morgan followed close behind, but she stopped dead when she looked at the pavement. "Blood..." she whispered, pointing at the dark, wet stains splattered across the marble steps. "Oh God, there’s blood everywhere! Dustin, what did you do? Where is she?" She panicked.Dustin didn't move. His voice was flat, devoid of the panic they were feeling. "Serena is safe. The Red Eagle squad arrived just in time. They h

The room was a chaos of shouting and finger-pointing. Serena groaned, pressing her palms against her temples. The bright hospital lights made her vision swim."Enough!" Serena’s voice was weak, but it cut through the noise. "I have a massive headache. Can you all just keep it quiet for one minute?"The room fell silent. Mrs. Morgan rushed to the bedside, smoothing Serena’s hair. "Of course, darling. We’re just trying to make sure this... this peasant doesn't take credit for Ferdinand’s hard work."Serena looked at Dustin, then at Ferdinand. Her memory was hazy, like looking through a foggy window. "Dustin... I remember him coming into the room. I remember his voice. If Ferdinand called his father for backup too, then I’m grateful to both of you."She stopped there. She didn't mention the cold shiver that ran down her spine when she looked at Ferdinand. She hadn't forgotten the night at the party months ago when Ferdinand had trapped her in the hallway, his breath smelling of whiskey,