Dustin drove over to the Nicholsons’ home at noon. The villa was in a secluded neighborhood, with flowers and hedges decorating the front yard.Dahlia was right outside. Dustin tried to avoid her but was still spotted.“Stop right there! I need to talk to you!”“What is it?” Dustin asked. Their backs were to each other as they spoke.“I haven’t told Granddad about our divorce because of his condition.”“Do you think we can keep him from finding out?”“I’ll find a chance to tell him after, just not today.”“Alright. Anything else?”“Nope.” Dahlia turned and went inside the house without another word.They never once looked at each other, acting like complete strangers.Dustin took a deep breath and went in as well, wine in hand. The living room was filled with people, including most of the Nicholsons.Only John, Dahlia’s father, was absent, still outside on his trip.Yet someone was sitting in his usual seat this time, an outsider too—Chris Nolan.“How rude to have us elder

The wines were quickly unboxed for everyone’s viewing pleasure.“Tch, and here I thought they were decent quality. Looks like these are just craft brews, worth no more than two thousand dollars, I bet.” James had a look of disdain on his face. “How could these compare to Grand Crus?”“Craft brews have long lost their value on the market. We don’t even give our servants these!” someone exclaimed.Craft brews weren’t actually that terrible in terms of quality, but they were nothing compared to Grand Crus.“What a cheapskate!” Florence scoffed.“How are craft brews cheap when they’ve been on the rise in the country? Is your taste in fine wine only limited to those brewed overseas?” Dustin casually responded.“How is it not cheap when they cost only a couple thousand? Chris’ wines cost more than 100 thousand dollars.” James rolled his eyes.“Wines don’t have to be expensive to be good. Plus, you don’t know how much exactly my wines cost.”“Are you still trying to make a comeback?”

“You must be kidding, right, Dad? This can’t be aged wine!” James’ eyes were wide as dinner plates.“Look at how yellowish it looks, though. It must be fake!” Florence accused.“You guys must not have seen brews like this before. Aged craft brews get this color, and it only darkens the longer it’s been aging. Every wine connoisseur knows this.”The looks on everyone's faces quickly changed. Their accusations had just been dampened significantly, not by just anyone but by John Nicholson himself, a well-known wine enthusiast. His judgment couldn’t be wrong.“I was blessed to be able to try such a fine wine years ago with a government official, but this brew right here must be finer than the one I had—that body and finish tell me it must’ve been aged for at least 50 years!” John smacked his lips, still enjoying the brew’s aftertaste.“How much would it cost on the market?” James asked curiously.“It’s priceless. You couldn’t find a willing seller even if you offered a city’s worth.

Chris rapped on the table, calling for everyone’s attention.“Everyone, I would like to share some good news with you all. Nolan Pharmaceuticals has been looking to increase its share pool, so we are currently welcoming new investors. Is anyone here interested?”“New investors?” Everyone’s attention was immediately captured.Nolan Pharmaceuticals was an industry-leading corporation with very limited shares available. That was why Chris’ announcement came as a shock to everyone at the table.“Hasn’t the company been doing alright, Mr. Nolan? Why the sudden invitation?” Dahlia asked curiously.“Of course, it has been. We’ve just been planning to list our company publicly, that’s why. As everyone knows, our company is not short on talent or the capability to overcome competition. This share listing is just so we have some funds to give our employees a good bonus this season.” Chris smiled. “We haven’t officially announced this to the public yet, and the spots are limited. If anyone

“What did you say?”Chris froze, thinking he had misheard him.“I said I’m not interested in a business that’s about to go bankrupt,” Dustin repeated.“Bankrupt?”Everyone was too stunned to react to his words. “How dare you! That’s nonsense!” Chris was shocked, but he quickly denied it. “Nolan Pharmaceuticals is raking in profits every day and is at its prime. How could we go bankrupt? Stop fear-mongering!” “Only you know whether this is fear-mongering or not. Anyways, I’ve received news that Nolan Pharmaceuticals will be investigated due to the sale of counterfeit illicit drugs. It’s just a matter of time before they go bankrupt.” Dustin’s words were very shocking. “Counterfeit drugs? Investigated?” Now, everyone was even more puzzled.Their gaze turned to Chris. “Nonsense! All of it is nonsense!”“Dustin, stop spreading these rumors. Nolan Pharmaceuticals is a law-abiding company. How could it go under investigation? I can sue you for defamation!” Chris threatened.

Chris’ words made everyone nervous.How could they let this opportunity to make a fortune slip away so easily?“Chris, ignore this fellow. He’s obviously jealous of you. But we’re not, we all believe you!” Florence immediately took a stand. “That’s right! Chris, you promised us about the stocks. You can’t just forget about it.”Everyone agreed right away. As they spoke, they turned and glared at Dustin.“Dustin Rhys, don’t stop us from making a fortune! Otherwise, I won’t let you off so easily!”“Yeah! Get lost if you wish to continue on with this nonsense!”The crowd chattered and chimed in one after another. From their perspective, Dustin was slandering Chris and preventing them from making money. He had such malicious intentions!“Do all of you really trust Chris? Hasn’t anyone ever doubted if he was lying?” Dustin asked with a frown.“That’s none of your business! We’ll do what we want!” James glared at him. “That’s right! Even if we were cheated, it would be on our own

Edwin, the richest man in Swinton, was drinking tea leisurely with an old man at Hummer Villa the next morning.“Mr. Lawson, it’s too bad that the lady was so cautious and left before the drug could take effect. Otherwise, I will definitely have subdued her!” Edwin lamented.“Don’t worry, Mr. Hummer. She doesn't have the antidote for the drug I gave her. She will definitely come begging if she doesn’t want to die. You can have your way with her then,” Fletcher joked. “Is that so? That’s perfect!” Edwin’s eyes lit up. He had been longing for a thorny rose like Natasha for a long time. The thought of toying with such an exquisite woman in bed made his heart race. “Sir Hummer…”Suddenly, a bodyguard came and whispered something in Edwin’s ear. “What? Trevor is dead?”Edwin’s face darkened and he demanded, “Who did it? Who dared touch my men?” Trevor was his right-hand man and did his dirty deeds. His sudden death was quite a loss to Edwin. “It was rumored to be his adopted s

“Edwin Hummer, the richest man in Swinton!” Dahlia answered. “What? Sir Hummer?”Lyra’s eyes widened in shock as if she had seen a ghost. Everyone knew that anything Sir Hummer said was obeyed without question in Swinton.Trevor was big in East City, but Sir Hummer was the true master of Swinton. He was so powerful that he could just demand anything with the snap of his fingers. He was also very influential in business, politics, and the military.Anyone who wronged Sir Hummer would face a fate worse than death.“Ms. Nicholson, don’t tell me this matter really involves Sir Hummer?” Lyra gulped. “It’s hard to say. Trevor was one of Sir Hummer’s men. Now that he was suddenly killed, Sir Hummer will definitely investigate this matter. It would be troublesome if Dustin was involved.” Dahlia’s expression darkened. “Even if that were the case, it would be Dustin’s fault. It has nothing to do with us, right?” Lyra asked tentatively. “This depends on how Sir Hummer sees this matter

Before the matter of Trevor’s death could come to a rest, there was a surprising announcement the next day. The Harmon family had decided on a partner, and today would be the opening ceremony of the new company. Once the news was released, everyone came forward to offer their congratulations.At 8.00 am, luxurious cars were already gathered at the entrance of the Emerald Building. However, Natasha, one of the important attendees, was not present. Instead, she was drinking coffee leisurely at some coffee shop.“Over here, Mr. Rhys.” As soon as she saw Dustin enter, she jumped to her feet and waved.“Isn’t today the opening ceremony of your new company? Why did you want to meet here?”Dustin sat across from her.Natasha was wearing a white blouse and a skirt today. Her dark hair was tied in a bun, making her look even more mature. Her top wrapped tightly around her chest, looking as if it were about to pop. “It’s only the opening ceremony. A date with you is much more important.” N

“I don’t recall Dahlia inviting you. Are you really so shameless?” Chris sneered.“I invited Dustin. Do you have a problem with that?”Natasha took a few steps forward. Her domineering stance made Chris take a few steps back. “Hmph! You’re a man that needs a woman to stand up for you? What a useless man!” Chris grimaced disdainfully. He added, “And you! You'll regret it sooner or later, staying with this trash!”“What does that have to do with you? Stay away from me!” Natasha snorted coldly. She put her arms around Dustin and walked into the hall without a care.“Stupid bitch! You’re so full of yourself! I’ll get you in bed one day!” Chris gritted his teeth as he watched them walk away. He couldn’t understand why someone as useless as Dustin was so good with women. “Chris, you’re here to join the fun too?”A fashionably dressed man exited a Maybach. “Hey! Isn’t that Jeff Anderson? You’re here too?”Chris’s eyes lit up. It was none other than Hunter Anderson’s son, Jeff An