"What?" Dustin touched his burning cheek. He looked at Dahlia in disbelief. He never imagined she would slap him in public for the sake of someone she had just met. It felt like a stab to his heart.

"I …" Dahlia was at a loss for words as she looked at her hand. Regret had filled her immediately after the act.

The situation was urgent, and she had acted on impulse. Gavin was a powerful general in the army, and Dustin would have faced dire consequences if he had hurt him.

"You actually hit me?" Dustin furrowed his brow. "You hit me for a stranger?"

"Dustin, calm down. I did it for your own good," Dahlia tried to explain.

"Calm down?" Dustin's lips formed into a wry smile. His disappointment was evident in his eyes.

"Dahlia Nicholson, how am I supposed to calm down? I made myself very clear. Gavin set me up and is playing the good guy in front of you. Can you please open up your eyes and look clearly?"

Dahlia's frown deepened. "Enough! Mr. Killian is a righteous person. He cou