Understated Dominance. "Don’t miss out this amazing novel, An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori."

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My wife is a CEO, she always hates me for being lazy and wants to divorce me. But she doesn't know that her success is bestowed by me.

"Dustin, here is the divorce agreement prepared by Ms. Nicholson, please sign it."

In the president's office of the Quine Group, Lyra Blaine, the secretary, placed a piece of paper on the table. A man sat opposite her, dressed in plain clothing.

"Divorce? What do you mean?"

"Your marriage with Ms. Nicholson is over. You're not even on the same level anymore. Your existence is nothing but a smear on our CEO's reputation!"

"A smear on her reputation?" Dustin frowned. "Is that what she thinks of me?"

Dahlia Nicholson and Dustin Rhys had been married for three years. After Dahlia's meteoric rise to success, she was about to abandon Dustin as a burden and filed for divorce. Unbeknownst to her, everything she had ever achieved was actually bestowed by him.

Back when they first got married, the Nicholson family was in ruinous debt. He was the one who helped them when they were at their rock bottom. Now that they became rich, Dahlia Nicholson was ready to kick him out.

With the sound of the door opening, a pair of enchanting high heels came into his view.

"You're finally here."

Dustin felt complicated when he saw the beautiful woman. They had been married for three years, during which they treated each other with care and respect. But this was how it ended. He still didn't know what he had done wrong.

"I'm sorry for being late, I was caught up with something else."

Dahlia Nicholson sat down. Her expression was as impassive as ever.

"You certainly are busy, if you need your secretary to help you deal with your divorce," Dustin said.

Hearing this, Dahlia frowned slightly. However, she did not explain herself. Instead, she said, "Since you're here, let's end it on a pleasant note. You can have the car, the house, and 8 million dollars as alimony. How does that sound?"

At that, she placed a card on the table.

"Do you really think our relationship can be measured by money?" Dustin asked.

"Too little? That's alright. Let me know what you want. I'll give you anything within my power," Dahlia said placidly.

"Are money and power that important to you?" Dustin was truly bewildered.

"Dustin, that's where you and I diverge in philosophy. You'll never understand what I really want." Dahlia shook her head in disappointment. 

"You're right." Dustin nodded without any emotion. "I heard that you've been close with the heir of the Nolan family. Is it because of him?"

Dahlia was about to deny it when she gave it a second thought. In the end, she nodded.

"You can say that."

"Okay. I hope you're happy with him." Dustin smiled and signed the divorce agreement without any more hesitation. All he felt now was disappointment. Ironically, today was also their wedding anniversary. There was cruel humor in divorcing him on the day they had gotten married.

"I don't want the money, I just want that crystal necklace back. My mother left it to me before she died so that I can give it to my wife."

"Okay."

Dahlia nodded and gave him the necklace.

"From today on, we will have nothing to do with each other!"

Dustin put on the necklace and left. He had no more gentleness in his expression, all that was left was distant aloofness.

"Did I do the right thing, Lyra?" Dahlia asked hesitantly.

"Of course you did!" Lyra nodded. " Dustin does not deserve you at all. You're destined to be the most powerful woman in Swinton!"

Dahlia did not answer her. As she watched Dustin leave, she felt as if she was losing something precious.

Transformation of Ebiraland by Prof Adam Ahmed Abere Provost National Defense College Abuja

Chapter 2

In the elevator, Dustin stared at the crystal necklace dejectedly. It was time to awaken from this prolonged daydream.

Suddenly, his phone rang, breaking him out of his trance. 

A familiar voice raised, "Mr. Rhys, I'm Hunter Anderson from the Swinton Group. I heard that today is your wedding anniversary with Ms. Nicholson, so I've prepared a gift for you. I'm just wondering if you have any time today?"

"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm afraid we won't need the gift any more," Dustin said. 

"Why?"

Hunter could sense something wrong.

"Is there anything else you'd like to talk about, Mr. Anderson?"

"Actually, yes." Hunter cleared his throat awkwardly. "I've got a friend who contracted a strange illness. He's seen a lot of doctors, but none of them could do anything about it. I was hoping that you could help."

"Mr. Anderson, you know my rules."

"Of course! I'm sincere in my request. My friend owns some canscora, which I remember you were looking for. I'm sure he'll be willing to part with it if you help him," Hunter said.

"Is it true?" Dustin asked seriously.

"Yes, it is!"

"Alright, then I'll be willing to take a look." Dustin immediately agreed.

He wasn't interested in money or jewels, but rather some rare plants, as he needed them to save lives.

"Thank you, Mr. Rhys! I'll send someone to pick you up immediately!" Hunter smiled in relief. 

As the CEO of the Swinton Group and one of the Mighty Three of Swinton, Hunter acted exceptionally timid in front of Dustin.

"Great, one more done, five to go. I should have enough time," Dustin muttered to himself. His mood was lifted a little by this news.

With a ding, the elevator doors opened. As soon as he stepped out of the building, he saw two familiar figures walking to him. It was Dahlia's mother and brother, Florence Franklin and James Nicholson.

"Mom, ..." Dustin greeted.

"Did you and Dahlia get divorced?" Florence did not waste any breath.

"Yes, we did." Dustin gave her a forced smile. "It's not Dahlia's fault, it's mine. Don't blame her."

However, hearing this, Florence snorted coldly.

"Of course it's your problem. I know my daughter well. If you hadn't done anything wrong, why would she divorce you?"

Dustin was stunned. What was this? Victim blaming?

"Mom, stop wasting time." Suddenly, James stepped forward. "Listen, Rhys. I don't care whether you divorce my sister or not, but you're giving me all the money you got from her."

"Money? What money?" Dustin was flabbergasted.

"Stop feigning ignorance! My sister gave you 8 million dollars as alimony!" James said coldly.

"That's my daughter's money! Give it back!" Florence stretched out her hand in demand.

"I didn't take any money from her," Dustin denied. 

"Do you take us as idiots?" James did not believe him.

"Rhys, you'd better be tactful. Don't make me angry!" Florence warned.

"You can ask Dahlia if you don't believe me." Dustin did not want to explain himself any further.

James dove straight into Dustin's pockets.

Florence followed suit.

"Mom, do you have to do this?" Dustin frowned.

Florence spat on the ground in disgust.

"Who are you calling Mom? Who do you think you are?" As she spoke, she continued searching Dustin's pockets.

After some time, they didn't find what they wanted.

"Did he really not take it?" James said, displeased.

Suddenly, he spied Dustin's crystal necklace and pulled it off roughly.

"Isn't this my sister's necklace? Why is it here? You steal it?" James demanded.

"This is the Rhys family heirloom. Give it back!" Dustin said, expression darkened.

"A family heirloom? Does this mean that this is valuable?" James'eyes lit up. 

"Then it can be your repayment for these three years that you've been living with us. Let's go!" Florence gave her son a look and prepared to leave.

"Stop!" Dustin grabbed James'wrist. "Give me back the necklace!"

Seeing that he had no chance of freeing himself from Dustin, James threw the necklace onto the ground. With a crisp clink, the crystal necklace broke into pieces. Dustin blanched. This was the only thing he had to remember his mother by.

"How dare you lay your hands on me! I'd rather break it than give it back to you!" James said as he rubbed his sore wrist.

Dustin clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles popped. His eyes were red with anger.

"Screw you!" Outburst, Dustin punched James in the face.

James was punched so hard that he spun back uncontrollably before falling to the ground. He was so dizzy that couldn't stand up.

"Let me teach you manners!" Dustin grabbed him by hair and lifted him. Then, he punched him several times.

James' face soon turned bloody from the punches.

"How dare you hit my son!" Florence screamed as she tried to help her son.

"Get off!" Dustin turned and glared at her. The glare was so intense that Florence froze in her tracks.

Chapter 3

"Get off!"

Those two words were enough to scare Florence motionless. 

When she finally got her wits back, Florence began screaming, "Help! He's murdering my son!" 

Soon, the Quine Group's security guards gathered around them.

"What happened, Mrs. Nicholson?" The head of the security guards recognized Florence and stood at her side immediately.

"Tom! Lock this guy up at once!" Florence yelled.

Just as they were about to act, a voice sounded.

"What do you think you're doing?"

A curvaceous woman in a silver dress barged into the crowd with her bodyguards. With her lips painted a fiery red, she was stunningly beautiful. Every move she made was alluring.

"She's gorgeous!"

The security guards stared at her dumbly. 

"Mr. Rhys, are you okay?"

The woman ignored the looks and headed straight toward Dustin.

"Who are you?"

Dustin narrowed his eyes at her, his anger dissipating.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Natasha Harmon. Mr. Anderson sent me here," the woman said with a smile. 

"Natasha Harmon? Is she the heiress of the Harmon family?"

"Oh, my God! Why is she here?"

Natasha Harmon was a well-known name around the city. She was pretty, influential, and smart. At 22 years old, she had already gained control of the Harmon Group and built her own business empire within five years. 

"Ah, it's you."

Dustin nodded.

He had heard of Natasha before, but he hadn't expected her to be involved with Hunter.

"Mr. Rhys, please wait in the car. I'll deal with this." 

Natasha snapped her fingers. Behind her, her four bodyguards whipped out their batons and advanced toward the crowd. The security guards back off.

"After you, Mr. Rhys."

Seeing that no one else dared to move, Natasha smiled and held out a hand to lead Dustin to the car. Without a word, Dustin picked up the pieces of his necklace and left with Natasha. No one dared to stop him.

"What's wrong? Why did you just let them go?" Florence yelled when she realized what was happening.

None of them dared to lay a finger on Natasha.

The security guards looked at each other, not daring to speak. 

"What happened?"

Dahlia and Lyra came out to see what the commotion was.

"Dahlia! You're here! Look at how badly your brother's been beaten up!"

As soon as Florence saw her, she began to cry, as if she was the one who had been beaten up.

"What happened? Who did this?"

Seeing her brother's wounds, Dahlia's expression became chilly.

"It's that Dustin!" Florence cried. "We met him just now. James picked up a crystal necklace that he dropped and tried to give it back to him, but he tried to turn it around and said that your brother stole it from him. After some argument, he beat up James! My poor James, he just did what he thought was right. What has he done to deserve this?"

She began crying harder.

"Dustin?" Dahlia frowned.

After three years of marriage, she knew Dustin's personality well. He was normally calm and collected and rarely lost his temper. He wouldn't just beat someone up for no reason.

"Look at your brother! Is the truth not clear enough? If you don't believe me, ask the security guards. They saw everything!" Saying this, Florence gave the security guards a look.

"Ms. Nicholson, your mother is right."

The head of security understood his assignment perfectly.

"You hear that? I'm not wronging that person!" He even has a new woman now!"

Hearing this, Dahlia frowned. Could Dustin really do such a thing? Maybe he was furious about the divorce and wanted to exact revenge on her through her brother. If so, then she had to admit that she had misjudged him!