Florence and the others present were stunned into silence as they took in Dustin's righteous speech. Their faces were etched with disbelief. How dare he humiliate the highly respected third matriarch of the Nicholsons in public!“You … insolent brat! You? Teach me a lesson? Do you know I can bring your family to ruins with just one word?" Gloria cradled her burning face as she screeched in anger, losing her previous dignified elegance. "You can try." Dustin showed no signs of fear. "Hah!" Gloria exclaimed in anger before dissolving into scornful laughter. "Oh, Florence, what a great family you have. I came all the way here to Swinton just to elevate your family to a higher status. And yet, you're not only ungrateful, but you dare rebel against me? I believe this letter of appointment would have better use for another person! Since you're not interested in assuming the role of Chairman at Cardinal Group, I'll have the family patriarch revoke the appointment." As Gloria pulled out

Dahlia frowned, for it wasn't a small amount. In the whole of Swinton, there were only a few individuals who had one billion in liquid assets to withdraw from. "Of course, if you're unable to secure the investment funds needed, please step aside and make way for someone more deserving. We don't want you hindering the company's development." Gloria sneered. In truth, she was the one who set the conditions for a one billion investment fund, not the family patriarch. She didn't wish for an outsider to hold that much authority. That was why she came up with the idea to make her step aside on her own accord. She would also be able to give a good explanation when questioned by the family patriarch. "Why are you silent? Don't tell me you can't even manage such a small matter?" She taunted on purpose."Hmph! If you can't do it. I'll take on the role of chairman instead." Dakota raised her head arrogantly. With her connections and Gloria's help, one billion wouldn't be hard to secure.

Dustin walked out of Nicholson Villa and was about to make a call when his phone rang. It was from Roderick Brooks.Dustin answered, "Hello, Mr. Brooks, I was just about to go look for you. It's such a coincidence that you called first.""Oh? Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Rhys?" Roderick was taken aback."I have a friend who got into some trouble and needs a sum of money. Would it be possible for me to borrow money from you?" Dustin asked."Phew, you scared me. I thought it was something serious. It turns out you just need money. Of course. I might not have much of anything else, but I definitely have money. How much does your friend need?" Roderick breathed a sigh of relief."One billion.""No problem. I'll send it to you tomorrow.""Thank you, Mr. Brooks.""No need to be so polite, Mr. Rhys. You were the one who treated my recurring illness!""Congratulations again. Right, is there a reason you called me?" Dustin changed the subject. "Mr. Rhys, didn't you have

"Don't believe me? Let's see what happens!" The woman in the baseball cap pursed her lips in disdain, while Dustin and Roderick only smiled back in response. As time went on, the auction neared its end, and the remaining highly prized items were brought up on stage. Among them, was the long-awaited thousand-year green lotus everyone coveted. "Ladies and gentlemen, our next item on auction is an extremely rare, precious herb that has thrived for a thousand years. This item is known as the thousand-year green lotus!"With a wave from the auctioneer, a wooden box was brought forward with great care. As the box opened, one translucent and gleaming green lotus was revealed. While its petals were colored green, its core shimmered gold. It appeared to be the epitome of perfection, resembling a delicate work of art as its beauty captivated everyone present. Under the illumination of lights, its colors shone brilliantly. It was truly a sight to behold. "It really is the thousand-year g

"Tyler Grant?!" The crowd erupted in an uproar with her reveal.Everyone in Southern Province knew of Tyler Grant. He was the rising new general of Dragonmarsh. A true prodigy, he had recorded numerous military achievements at a young age and was given the nickname General Lionheart, holding the third-highest rank in the military. Among the younger generation in the entire Southern province, he stood as the leader.Some influential figures even proclaimed that his achievements in the future would rival those of the God of War, Adam Spanner! The Grant family was already known for being part of the Tremendous Three, and now, with his status as the exceptional genius of the family, his name soared to even greater heights. For the past few years, he had been someone everyone did not dare cross.When Jayla revealed her identity, everyone present was stunned. The man from Stoneray Order especially looked upset, but he was unable to utter another word. Although Stoneray Order possessed sig

Even as the daughter of the Grant family, two billion dollars in cash was a stretch. Any more than that, and she would need to ask for money from the family."2.1 billion dollars." Roderick was calm.Jayla exclaimed with gritted teeth, "2.5 billion!" She had a murderous gaze. Even if she had to borrow money, she would regain her dignity today!With a smile still plastered on his face, Roderick raised the bid, "2.6 billion." His nickname, Big Buck Brooks, was not merely a nickname. The sum of money truly held no significance to him."Three billion!" Jayla was seeing red. She looked like a lioness about to tear into her prey."Three …" Roderick raised his paddle, about to continue bidding when Dustin pulled his hand down."Forget about it. Just let her have it.""What?" Roderick was surprised. "Mr. Rhys, isn't this item something you need? Why are you giving it up? If it's because of the price, there's no need to worry. I can deal with it.""It has nothing to do with money."

"That gem!" Dustin was full of excitement at the appearance of the red gemstone. He had resigned himself to leaving empty-handed today, but as luck would have it, he chanced upon another treasure. "Hmph, what a country bumpkin. What's so exciting about a red gemstone?" Taking in the excited look on Dustin's face, Jayla looked at him in contempt. "I've got plenty of those at home. Only a country bumpkin like you who hasn't seen the world will think it's special."Dustin ignored her and focused his gaze on the red gemstone on stage. Its surface was colored a blood-like deep crimson, and its shape was similar to a calabash. On the surface, it looked ordinary. However, its desirability lay in its size, and after some processing, it would undoubtedly turn out to be invaluable. In the eyes of a professional jeweler, this was definitely the finest red crimson. Roderick was confused. "Mr. Rhys, do you like it?" Dustin didn't seem like someone who would covet precious stones, especially wi

Roderick continued bidding."One billion." Jayla showed no signs of letting up. As she was deliberately targeting the gem, the price of the red gemstone hit the billion-dollar mark, which had far exceeded the valuation of the gemstone. It would be a great loss for the winning bidder. "It seems like they've come head-to-head with each other.""I have a bad feeling something is going to happen to Big Buck Brooks for offending Ms. Grant.""He's just wealthy. How does he have the guts to challenge such a prominent family?"The crowd pointed and gossiped fervently, clearly enjoying the farce. "1.5 billion dollars." Roderick raised his paddle again, boldly increasing the bid by 500 million dollars. "1.6 billion dollars." Jayla continued challenging him head-on. "Two billion dollars!" Roderick then told her in an impassive tone, "Ms. Grant, if you raise it again, I'll let you have it."Jayla was about to raise it when she froze. She wasn't interested in the red gemstone. It woul

Jayla finally realized she had been miserably deceived. However, she only had herself to blame for her mistake. Of course, with the power the Grant family held, she could demand a refund from the auctioneer. But if she did that, she would be badly criticized. She couldn't afford to be humiliated as such. For the sake of her reputation, she could only swallow her resentment. Roderick added insult to injury. "Ms. Grant, it seems like the item that cost you a fortune isn't that precious after all.""You can't say that. Even though it's lacking a few years, it's still considered a precious treasure." The man in the long-sleeved shirt attempted to diffuse the situation. "Did you hear that? Even if it's lacking, it's still precious!" Color returned to her expression.Dustin smiled. "I'd like to ask. What's the value of a 900-year green lotus?" He looked troubled and answered with difficulty, "Based on its effectiveness and age, it should be around three to four hundred million.""Wh

"That's right. Only people like you would foolishly spend two billion on a red gemstone like that." "I like to call them rich airheads."The crowd pointed and murmured, gossiping among themselves. It seemed to them that Dustin was a prime example of a stubborn man who couldn't accept defeat. It was clear that he had suffered a loss but was still trying to show off without merit. "Do you hear that? I'm not the only one who thinks you're an idiot. Everyone else thinks the same." Her lips curled up into a smirk. "Really?" Dustin smiled faintly. "It seems like no one has realized this is not an ordinary red gemstone. It's an extremely rare Crimson Gem.""What's a Crimson Gem? I've never heard of it." Jayla pursed her lips in disdain. "That's fine. Allow me to enlighten you today." As he said that, he smashed the gemstone with his palm. Everyone present heard two cracking noises as two visible crack lines formed on the surface. In the blink of an eye, the cracks spread across t