An Understated Dominance (Chinese Version) Chapter 1221-1230

“An intruder?”

Ruth rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep. “Sis, are you sure you’re not dreaming? We have a dozen Shadowguards surrounding our house day and night. Who would dare break in?”

“Something’s happened to all our guards. It’s incredibly dangerous now. We need to get out of here!” Natasha’s face bore a grave expression.

“What?”

Ruth jolted awake at this news. “Sis, who’s trying to harm us? Shouldn’t we call your husband?”

“There’s no time for that; we must leave immediately.”

Natasha made a quick decision, opening the window. After confirming no one was in sight below, she grabbed her sister and led her out the window. “Ruth, I’ll count to three, and we’ll jump together.”

“Jump?”

Ruth’s voice quivered with fear. “Sis, it’s pretty high up here, and I’m scared.”

“It’s just the second floor, and there’s grass below. We won’t get hurt.” Natasha reassured her.

“Sis, is there no other way?” Ruth’s anxiety was palpable.

“We have no choice: it’s jump or face danger head-on.” Natasha’s resolve was unwavering.

“Ah?” Ruth hesitated.

“No more talking; it’s getting late. Three, two, one, jump!”

Without further delay, Natasha seized her sister’s hand, and together, they leaped from the second-floor window.

“Thud!”

They landed on the lawn with a heavy but thankfully safe landing.

“Let’s go!”

Natasha held Ruth’s hand, her gun at the ready, as they quietly moved toward the back door.

As they reached the corner of the house, Natasha cautiously scanned the area outside the door. Once she verified it was clear, they made a swift exit.

But just as the two were about to slip away, a mocking voice suddenly echoed from behind.

“Natasha, where do you think you’re running to?”

Natasha’s expression instantly shifted to alertness.

She didn’t hesitate. In one smooth motion, she turned with her gun raised, prepared to take control of the situation.

But before she could fully assess the situation, a shadowy figure swiftly passed her.

In an instant, a sharp pain surged in her neck, her vision dimmed, and she collapsed unconscious.

“Sis!”

Ruth cried out in shock, but before she could react, the enigmatic intruder approached her from behind and deftly subdued her with a swift strike, rendering her unconscious as well.

“Take them away!”

With a command, Natasha and Ruth were swiftly placed into sacks and loaded into a vehicle.

The vehicle sped away, and as the dawn broke, it finally came to a stop at the rear entrance of the Grant Mansion.

The two sacks were then silently carried into a concealed chamber.

“Sir Brayden, as you requested, we’ve brought them here, and it’s a two-for-one special.”

The leader of the shadowy group smiled.

“Hmm, excellent work. You can collect your reward now.”

Brayden nodded in approval, then waved his hand, signaling them to depart.

“Open the sacks and let’s have a look.”

Chapter 1222 Ruthless Kate

Kate’s impatience drove her to order someone to open the sacks without delay.

In no time, Natasha and Ruth, still unconscious, were released from their captivity.

“Excellent! We’ve got them both. Everything should go smoothly now,” Kate couldn’t help but wear a triumphant smile.

With these two helpless captives in their grasp, they no longer needed to worry about Hector keeping silent.

“Huh? It’s her!”

Upon seeing Natasha’s face, Brayden was momentarily taken aback and appeared somewhat startled.

“What’s the matter? Do you know her?” Kate raised an eyebrow, slightly concerned.

If there was any prior connection, things could get complicated.

“I’ve seen her once,” Brayden said with a wicked grin. “Yesterday, I had a run-in with someone at a restaurant, and a young guy had the audacity to give me a beating. This lady right here happens to be that young man’s lady.”

Ever since the altercation, he had dispatched his henchmen to investigate, but they had failed to locate Dustin.

Unexpectedly, they had managed to capture Dustin’s significant other, which was undoubtedly a stroke of luck.

“Brayden, was the guy who attacked you yesterday named Dustin?” Kate inquired swiftly.

“It appears that was his name,” Brayden confirmed.

“Then it’s settled!” Kate’s expression turned icy. “These two troublemakers (Dustin and Natasha) have been causing chaos and engaging in all sorts of outrageous activities. They’ve crossed the line and offended too many people!”

“Hehe, what a small world. Not only did they lay a beating on me, but they’ve also earned your enmity, dear sister-in-law. They’ve become our common adversaries now. I intend to exact my revenge on them during this opportunity!” Brayden chuckled with malicious glee.

His covetous gaze roved all over Natasha, as he thought it would be a waste not to savor such exquisite beauty.

“Brayden, let’s focus on the immediate task. Once we extract the treasure map from them, you can deal with these two ladies as you wish,” Kate swiftly grasped Brayden’s desires.

“Hehe, thank you, sister-in-law!”

Brayden grinned and licked his lips in anticipation.

Having both of them in their grasp was a true banquet for him.

“Splash!”

A bucket of icy water was thrown onto Hector.

Hector, who had been unconscious, suddenly convulsed, and his awareness gradually returned.

“Uncle Hector, we meet again,” Kate stated calmly.

With time running out, she could no longer afford to conceal her identity.

“Is… is it you?” Hector struggled to open his eyes, gazing at the familiar face before him with inexplicable astonishment. “W-why?”

“Uncle Hector, let’s not beat around the bush. Hand over the treasure map, and I might spare your lives,” Kate got straight to the point.

“Kate, do you realize that we’re family? Must we resort to such ruthlessness?” Hector’s voice quivered.

He had never anticipated that the person behind his capture would be his own niece.

“Ruthless?”

Kate snorted. “Uncle Hector, you’ve pushed me into this situation. You’re no longer the clan leader, so why are you holding onto the treasure map? It rightfully belongs to my father!”

“Kate, don’t you understand? If Tyler gets hold of that treasure map, the Harmon family is doomed!” Hector spoke earnestly.

“You’re speaking nonsense!”

Kate slapped Hector hard across the face. “Uncle Hector, have you lost your senses? The Harmon family is teetering on the edge of ruin. If we want to reclaim our honor, we must cooperate with the Grant family. It’s our only way out!”

“Don’t you see? Tyler is merely using all of you. Once he obtains the treasure map, you will all be expendable, and it will spell doom for you!” Hector implored with deep sincerity.

“Shut up!”

Kate slapped Hector’s face again, this time more forcefully, and then she brandished a knife at Natasha’s throat.

The sharp blade drew blood, leaving a crimson mark.

Chapter 1223 More Than A Treasure Map

“Natasha?”

Hector gazed at her intensely and couldn’t contain his anger. “Kate! Don’t be reckless; she’s your cousin!”

“Cousin? She’s just a spiteful person!” Kate retorted.

Kate exclaimed with frustration, “Ever since we were kids, she’s been in constant competition with me, and it’s been the same as we grew up. Every good opportunity in the family has been handed to her, and I’m left with scraps. Why? What makes her better than me?”

“Kate, I’ve never shown favoritism to anyone. Natasha has achieved what she has through her own hard work. You all started from the same point,” Hector explained earnestly.

In truth, he had provided Kate with more resources than even his own daughter.

“Nonsense! Do you expect me to believe your nonsense? If it weren’t for your secret support and encouragement, how could Natasha be stronger than me?” Kate scoffed.

In her eyes, Hector had always used his position as the clan leader to favor Natasha, causing Kate to feel overshadowed throughout her life.

“Kate, you’re all my family. How could I play favorites?” Hector’s expression was filled with complexity.

“Hmph! Don’t pretend to be righteous in front of me!”

Kate declared coldly, “I don’t have time to waste with you now. I have one question: will you hand over the treasure map or not?”

With that, she raised the knife in her hand.

The bloodstain on Natasha’s neck deepened, and a trickle of fresh blood slowly descended down the blade.

Hector’s eyes narrowed, and he nervously implored, “Kate, please stop this. Don’t make more mistakes!”

“What? In your eyes, is your daughter’s life worth less than a treasure map?” Kate’s face darkened, and she again pressed the knife to Natasha’s neck. “If you think one life isn’t enough, then I’ll use two lives as the price. As long as you hand over the treasure map, I’ll release them both. Otherwise, I want you to watch them die!”

“Kate! We’re all close family; why resort to this?” Hector’s anxiety grew.

“Don’t want to hand it over, huh? Fine! I’ll start by taking one life to make you see reason!”

Kate’s eyes hardened, and she suddenly swung the knife toward Natasha’s head.

“Stop! I’ll give in! I’ll give you the treasure map!” Hector’s face paled, and he desperately shouted.

“Buzz!”

The knife came to an abrupt halt, finally stopping at Natasha’s neck.

“Hmph! Should’ve agreed sooner; then none of this would have happened. You really had to go through some pain!” Kate smirked.

Even if someone was unafraid of death and had a strong will, they still had their vulnerabilities.

Once you identified those vulnerabilities, you could make them compromise.

“Hey, what are you waiting for? Speak up!” Brayden urged.

“To be honest, I don’t have the treasure map right now,” Hector shook his head.

“What? Playing tricks? Do you really think I won’t dare to kill?” Kate’s expression darkened.

“I’m not lying to you. To prevent it from being stolen, I’ve already given the treasure map to someone else,” Hector admitted with a troubled expression.

“Who did you give it to?” Kate inquired.

“Dustin,” Hector replied, not daring to hide the truth.

“Dustin?” Kate furrowed her brow. “Uncle, I didn’t expect you to favor an outsider over us. You’re truly selfish!”

“Kate, everything I do is for the greater good of the family,” Hector asserted sincerely.

“Shut up! You hypocrite!” Kate exclaimed. “I warn you, you better not deceive me, or I’ll make them accompany you to the grave!”

Chapter 1224 Enticing Video

Without further ado, Kate raised her hand and delivered a powerful blow to the back of Hector’s neck.

Hector’s head tilted, and he fell immediately into unconsciousness.

“Sister-in-law, now that the treasure map is in Dustin’s possession, we can settle both old and new scores by chasing him down” Brayden suggested with a malicious gleam in his eyes.

“No need for that kind of effort. Instead of chasing him down, let’s entice him to come willingly,” Kate said, narrowing her eyes.

“Oh? Do you have a plan, sister-in-law?” Brayden inquired, intrigued.

“Observe and learn.”

Kate didn’t elaborate further. She approached Natasha and tore her nightgown in half, revealing her fair skin and alluring lingerie beneath.

Her body’s flawless contours were provocatively visible beneath the tattered nightgown, prompting Brayden’s eyes to widen with desire, and he greedily swallowed his saliva.

This woman exuded irresistible sensuality.

“Brayden, hang her up; I want to record a video with her.”

Kate took out her phone and activated the recording feature. “Oh, and stand beside her for a video; it’ll be even more enticing.”

“Consider it done!”

Brayden grinned and instructed someone to suspend Natasha from a pillar.

He ran his fingers through her hair and pressed it against his own face, inhaling deeply, appearing utterly captivated.

“Not bad.”

Kate nodded in approval, recorded the video, and added a message before sending it out.

“It’s finished. I’ve given Dustin thirty minutes to arrive at the Grant residence, deliver the treasure map as an apology, or else I will defile and kill his woman!”

“Sister-in-law, do you think this plan will work? What if that kid is too frightened to come?” Brayden inquired.

“No, I know Dustin. He’s incredibly arrogant; he will undoubtedly come.”

Kate suddenly wore a wicked smile. “Besides, no ordinary man can endure the violation and death of his beloved.”

“That’s true.”

Brayden agreed and spoke with a cold grin, “If that kid dares to show up, I guarantee he won’t leave alive!”

“Sister-in-law, don’t underestimate him. Dustin is quite formidable. He single-handedly quashed all opposition within the Harmon family. He’s not an ordinary adversary.”

Kate cautioned her, recalling the events in the Harmon family where Dustin had stood against numerous influential figures.

“Hehe, rest assured, I’m not taking him lightly. The Grant family possesses numerous experts and a formidable army, not to mention a skilled martial arts master. Even if that kid possesses remarkable abilities, once he enters my domain, there’s only one outcome for him – death!” Brayden asserted confidently.

“Very well, with your assurance, I can be at ease,” Kate said, exhaling a sigh of relief.

Regardless of Dustin’s skills, he was only one person.

Faced with the overwhelming might of the Grant family, he couldn’t make much of an impact.

“Sister-in-law, what shall we do with these two beautiful women?” Brayden stroked his chin, his gaze filled with greed as he looked at Natasha.

“Once we’ve dealt with Dustin and reclaimed the treasure map, they will be yours to do with as you please. You can indulge yourself to your heart’s content,” Kate said with a suggestive smile.

“Hehe… Thank you, sister-in-law!”

Upon hearing this, Brayden’s excitement surged.

He couldn’t wait to have his way with these two gorgeous sisters in bed.

Chapter 1225 Awakening News

The sky gradually brightened.

Early in the morning, the Zypher Lodge came to life.

Today was Dustin’s birthday, and the Kirin Gang attached great importance to it. They had sent out invitations to guests two days in advance, preparing for a grand birthday banquet.

The Kirin Gang had long dominated the underground world of the Millsburg, and Dustin was crowned with the title of the Underground Emperor.

Various forces wanted to show some face.

Even if they didn’t receive invitations, they still had to send gifts.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

At this moment, in the main room of the villa.

Dustin, who had been meditating with closed eyes, was awakened by a series of knocks on the door.

“What’s going on?”

Dustin opened the door and saw that it was Cornelius standing outside.

“Sir Dustin, something has happened!”

Cornelius’s face was grave. “Early this morning, at dawn, a group of mysterious experts broke into Natasha’s villa, where we had sent our brothers to protect her. All our men were killed, and Natasha is missing. She’s probably been kidnapped!”

“What?” Dustin’s face changed. “How could this happen? Who did it?”

“We’re not sure yet. I’ve already sent someone to investigate, and I believe we’ll have results soon,” Cornelius replied with his head down.

“Send out all the brothers from the gang. We must find the culprits as soon as possible!” Dustin said in a deep voice.

Killing members of the Kirin Gang and kidnapping Natasha had crossed his bottom line. Whoever was responsible would pay a heavy price.

“Buzz…”

At this moment, Dustin’s phone suddenly vibrated, and someone sent him an anonymous video.

Dustin watched the video, and instantly, his face turned furious.

In the video, Natasha was hanging on a pillar, her clothes torn and tattered.

A creepy man was holding her hair, greedily breathing, with an evil smile on his face.

His face was full of desire, impossible to hide.

And the most critical part was that Dustin had seen this creepy man before; it was none other than Brayden!

“Dustin, you have half an hour to deliver the treasure map to the Grant family, or I will let thousands of men violate your woman!”

After the video, there was a threatening message.

Boom!

In an instant, it felt as if Dustin’s chest had exploded, and he was filled with rage.

“Spread the word! Everyone in the gang should be fully armed and prepared to go to war with the Grant family!” Dustin said in a low voice.

Killing Kirin Gang disciples and kidnapping Natasha had infuriated him. Regardless of who was behind it, he would make them pay dearly.

“Cornelius, gather all our forces and head to the Grant family’s location immediately. We’re going to rescue Natasha!” Dustin ordered.

At the same time, he had to deal with Brayden and his threats.

…

At this moment, inside the Grant family’s mansion, there was also a grand celebration with lights and decorations.

It was even more magnificent than the Zypher Lodge.

This was because today was the day of the formal engagement between the Grant and Harmon families.

The Grant family was one of the top three noble families, and the Harmon family was also a prominent household.

Now that the two families were joining together in matrimony, it caused a sensation throughout the Millsburg.

All sorts of forces flocked to the event.

Their presence made the celebration even more extravagant.

Of course, the main reason for the grandeur was Tyler.

Tyler not only came from a noble background with astounding connections but also possessed extraordinary talent and remarkable achievements. At a young age, he had become a prominent general in the Dragon Nation’s military, making him highly respected.

Chapter 1226 Trent’s Deadline

Looking across the entire Balermo Region, among the younger generation, there was no one who could compare to him.

Everyone believed that under Tyler’s leadership, the Grant family would become even more illustrious and eventually dominate the entire Balermo Region.

Therefore, when news of Tyler’s engagement was announced, not only Millsburg but also the prominent figures, wealthy merchants, and officials from major cities in Balermo came to pay their respects.

Early in the morning, the Grant family was already bustling with guests, and the scene was grand.

At this moment, in the meeting hall.

Tyler sat in the center with an indifferent expression, unmoved by the external extravagance.

On his left and right sides, various important members of the Grant family sat, including uncles, aunts, cousins, and more distant relatives. They all sat submissively, not daring to breathe heavily.

Ever since he had been promoted to the position of Dark Panther Cavalry General, Tyler had taken over the position of family head from his grandfather.

At first, some of the older generations expressed dissatisfaction, believing that Tyler’s generation lacked seniority and qualifications.

The result was that within three days, those opposing elders either died or were seriously injured, with none having a good ending.

Under such ruthless methods, in less than half a month, Tyler had completely taken control of the entire family.

This perfectly illustrated the saying, “Those who follow me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish.”

Over the past few years, Tyler’s authority had even surpassed that of his grandfather, becoming a figure to be feared and respected by all.

“Trent, the time is up. Where is what I want?” After a long pause, Tyler finally spoke.

In an instant, everyone’s gaze focused on the end of the seats.

Sitting there were members of the Harmon family.

“Well…,” Trent’s face stiffened, unsure of how to respond.

They had promised to deliver the treasure map before daybreak, and now they couldn’t produce the treasure, which was quite embarrassing.

“What’s the matter? Did you all take my words as if they were just blowing in the wind?” Tyler’s expression gradually turned cold.

“We dare not, we dare not!” Trent waved his hands repeatedly and said with a forced smile, “Young Lord Tyler, please give us a little more time. We will definitely deliver the treasure before nightfall today!”

“I don’t like to haggle. If you don’t have the treasure map, then today’s engagement banquet doesn’t need to take place. I will publicly announce your cancelled engagement, and you will have to bear the consequences!” Tyler’s tone became more severe.

His words were now tinged with a threat.

“What?”

Trent was so scared that he shivered, and cold sweat broke out all over his body.

He knew very well about Tyler’s ruthless methods. If they couldn’t produce the treasure map, the entire Harmon family would be in trouble!

“Dad…”

At this moment, Kate, dressed in a red bridal gown, hurriedly entered the meeting hall.

“Kate, do we have any news?” Trent’s eyes lit up as if he had seen a savior.

“Yes.”

Kate nodded and looked at Tyler with a smile, “Tyler, please be patient. The treasure map is already on its way. It will definitely be in your hands within half an hour!”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Tyler raised an eyebrow, and his cold expression finally eased slightly. “That’s the best. Otherwise, I’ll be very angry.”

“Tyler, the treasure map should be fine, but there might be a little trouble later. I hope you won’t mind,” Kate gave a preemptive warning.

Although she had a hostage in her hands, she couldn’t guarantee that Dustin wouldn’t cause trouble.

“As long as there’s a treasure map, even if the sky falls, I’ll bear it for you,” Tyler said calmly, his words full of dominance.

“That’s not a problem then,” Kate breathed a sigh of relief.

As they were talking, a thunderous voice suddenly rang out in the sky, deafening.

“Tyler! Get the hell out here!!”

Chapter 1227 Tyler! Get Out!

“Tyler! Get the hell out here!!”

The sudden shout echoed throughout the Grants’ Mansion.

Its imposing momentum was like thunder roaring and soaring into the sky.

Filled with terrifying killing intent and boundless anger, it lingered for a long time.

“Outrageous! Who dares to shout so loudly here?”

“Such audacity! Who does this insolent thing think they are? Catch him immediately!”

“Daring and arrogant! Truly daring and arrogant!”

After a brief silence, the entire conference hall erupted into chaos.

Everyone in the Grant family stood up, filled with righteous indignation.

No one had ever dared to act so arrogantly in the Grant family, especially openly calling out Tyler’s name and speaking so disrespectfully. This was an unpardonable offense.

“This damned Dustin is truly lawless!” Kate’s face turned cold.

She knew that Dustin would come, but she didn’t expect him to be so audacious, shouting even before entering the premises.

“Tyler, to be honest, the treasure map is in Dustin’s hands. As long as we capture him, everything will be fine!” Kate smiled and said.

“You’re quite audacious, using me as a pawn?” Tyler glanced coldly at her.

“Tyler, I have no such intention!”

Kate panicked and hurriedly explained, “The main reason is that Hector betrayed us and gave the treasure map to Dustin. Moreover, the time was too rushed, and I didn’t have time to make other arrangements. I could only lead him here as bait to capture him!”

“You’re a bit clever. You used your brain. In consideration of your loyalty, I will kill Dustin for you today to eliminate future troubles.”

Tyler stood up, shook his sleeves, and then walked out of the conference hall with his head held high.

The others followed him quickly.

At this moment, at the entrance of the Grant Mansion.

“Ah!”

With the final scream, more than a dozen Grant family guards had all been knocked to the ground by Dustin.

Every one of them had broken hands and feet, wailing in pain.

They were completely powerless to resist.

“Damn! Who is this guy? How dare he challenge the Grant family? Doesn’t he value his life?”

“He’s openly causing trouble on the day of General Tyler’s engagement. This guy is simply courting death!”

“He really doesn’t know the seriousness of the situation. He’s like a young calf that’s not afraid of the tiger.”

The guests passing by were all pointing and talking, looking at Dustin as if he were a fool.

The Grant family was one of the top three families in the region, with power, influence, connections, and even an army.

A young man who dared to act so arrogantly here, what was the difference between that and seeking death?

“Tyler! Get out here!”

While shouting, Dustin charged forward.

As he passed, the crowd scattered in all directions, afraid to provoke this reckless young man.

“Hey, young man! You’ve finally come? I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!”

At this moment, Brayden suddenly blocked Dustin’s path.

Behind him was a group of martial experts, all of them eager and vigilant.

“Brayden?”

Dustin’s face darkened, his eyes filled with killing intent. “I warn you, release the hostage immediately, or I will turn the Grant family into a river of blood!”

“A river of blood?”

Upon hearing this, Brayden burst into laughter. “Kid! Who do you think you are? Open your dog eyes wide and take a look. This is the Grant family, my territory! I can decide whether you live or die. Why do you have the audacity to threaten me?”

“I’ll say it one more time, release the hostage immediately!” Dustin gritted his teeth.

“If you want me to release her, you must hand over the treasure map first. Then, kneel down and learn to bark like a dog. When I’m satisfied, I’ll consider letting her go.”

Brayden crossed his arms, a mocking smile on his face.

“Hahahaha… Did you hear that? Kneel down and bark like a dog!”

A group of martial experts behind him burst into laughter.

“Who is this person? Does he really not care about his life? He’s openly defying the Grant family on the day of General Tyler’s engagement.”

“Tyler! Get out here!”

Dustin shouted again, his voice filled with determination.

“Beat him to death!”

Brayden commanded, and the martial experts behind him immediately attacked Dustin together.

Chapter 1228 Crazy Bull Fist

Brayden’s expression turned cold, and he suddenly waved his hand to give an order.

“Get out of the way! Let me handle this!”

At this moment, a burly man suddenly jumped out and charged toward Dustin.

He was fast, powerful, and ran like a wild buffalo, unstoppable.

Halfway through, the burly man suddenly clenched his fist and gathered his strength. One of his arms instantly swelled, veins popping out, looking like Popeye.

“Crazy Bull Fist!”

The burly man shouted loudly, and his punch, filled with tremendous force, slammed directly into Dustin’s face.

“Maddox is quite ruthless, starting with a killer move.”

“This punch is something I can’t even block. What about that skinny guy?”

“Heh heh… If he dies in Maddox’s Crazy Bull Fist, this kid won’t have died in vain.”

The martial artists around them laughed and joked, watching the scene like they were watching a show.

Among this group of people, although Maddox was not the strongest, he was still a formidable martial expert.

If it were an ordinary martial artist, one punch would be fatal.

“Get lost!”

Dustin completely ignored the burly man’s attack, and with a raised hand, he delivered a punch before the opponent could strike.

“Boom!”

With a loud explosion, the burly man’s body exploded like a watermelon hit by a cannonball.

It turned into a cloud of blood mist, floating down.

“Ah?”

Seeing this scene, the martial artists were dumbfounded.

They were all dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief.

Maddox was a martial expert at the Innate level, and he had quite a reputation in the martial world.

Such a powerhouse had been shattered with a single punch.

How was this possible?!

“Damn! Did he just die like that?”

Brayden was also shocked.

He knew that Dustin was powerful, but he didn’t expect him to be this formidable, killing Maddox with just one punch.

It was truly terrifying.

“Damn it! Looks like we’ve encountered a tough opponent. Everyone, prepare to attack together!”

After the brief shock, the martial artists became serious and started to prepare for a group attack.

“Kill him!”

Brayden couldn’t help but shout as he saw Dustin approaching.

“Kill!”

The martial artists exchanged glances and rushed forward together.

“For anyone who blocks my way, death awaits!”

Dustin’s eyes were filled with a murderous intent. He did not hold back at all and charged into the group of martial artists.

As he moved, the crowd scattered in all directions, afraid to provoke this reckless young man.

Chapter 1229 A Slap For Kate

As Dustin’s piercing gaze swept over the scene, Brayden couldn’t help but shudder, feeling an indescribable fear surging within him. He had believed his plan was foolproof, but his opponent had shattered all his calculations with sheer force.

“Release the hostage immediately, or… face the consequences!” Dustin continued to advance, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

“I won’t release her!” Brayden bellowed in anger and swiftly drew a concealed gun, rapidly firing it at Dustin.

As the bullets were unleashed from the gun’s barrel, Dustin’s figure suddenly vanished from his original position, only to reappear right in front of Brayden.

“You…” Brayden was taken aback, and as he attempted to step back, Dustin seized his wrist and brutally snapped it, causing Brayden to cry out in agony as he dropped the gun.

Following that, Brayden felt his breath constricting as a powerful hand clamped around his throat. His cries were abruptly silenced, and his face turned a deep shade of crimson from the lack of oxygen. Then, he watched in sheer horror as his feet slowly left the ground.

“Where is Natasha?” Dustin’s expression was fierce, his presence overwhelming.

“Let… let me go… or you’ll regret it!” Brayden struggled frantically, issuing a flurry of desperate threats.
“I’m asking you, where is Natasha?!” Dustin slowly tightened his grip on Brayden’s throat, making it difficult for him to breathe. Brayden’s face turned purple, and he desperately kicked his feet.

“Stop!”

At that moment, a group of key members of the Grant family, accompanied by a substantial contingent of armed soldiers, advanced with a commanding and intimidating presence.

Leading them was none other than Tyler himself.

“Dustin! You certainly have some audacity! Release Brayden immediately, or prepare to meet your doom a hundredfold!” Kate shouted loudly.

She had believed that Brayden’s men would be capable of capturing Dustin, but she hadn’t anticipated their utter defeat.

“Brother… help… help me!” Brayden turned his head with difficulty, his voice strained.

“Release Natasha!” Dustin’s voice carried a deep, resolute tone, “I’ll spare your younger brother’s wretched life.”

“Natasha?” Tyler furrowed his brows slightly, and his gaze shifted to Kate standing beside him, with a hint of suspicion in his eyes. “What on earth is happening?”

“Lord Tyler, I apprehended Hector and intended to interrogate him about the treasure map’s whereabouts, but he refused to cooperate. So, I kidnapped Natasha to use as leverage,” Kate explained in a hushed voice.

“Is she harmed?” Tyler inquired.

“No, she’s unharmed,” Kate quickly nodded.

“You’ve really dug yourself into a hole! Damn it!” Tyler slapped her across the face.

“I apologize, I’ll exercise greater caution moving forward,” Kate said, forcing a smile.

Receiving an unexpected slap in front of such a crowd was undeniably humiliating, but she had no choice but to maintain her composure.
In front of so many people, being inexplicably slapped in the face was quite embarrassing, but she could only maintain a smile.

“Dustin…”

Tyler’s gaze shifted, and he said coldly, “You don’t have the right to negotiate with me. Release my brother immediately, or… die!”

With that, he made a hand signal.

Whoosh!

A group of armed soldiers immediately swarmed in, surrounding Dustin.

Rows of black muzzles were all aimed at various vital points on his body.

As long as Tyler gave the order, countless bullets would pour out.

“A young man who doesn’t know the boundaries, daring to cause trouble in the Grant family. Now you’re done for, aren’t you?”

“In the end, he’s just a martial artist. No matter how powerful he is, what kind of storm can he create?”

“Now, releasing my brother might be your only chance. If you resist, there’s only a dead end!”

The onlookers at the scene couldn’t help but discuss the situation.

Chapter 1230 One Life For One Life

They had never seen someone so audacious before, breaking into the Grant family in broad daylight, single-handedly holding Brayden hostage. It was like striking a rock with an egg, courting death.

“Kid, do you see this? You’re surrounded now, and all around you are soldiers of the Grant family. What makes you think you can fight against me?” Brayden sneered. “If you don’t want to die, immediately release me and then sever your own meridians, kneel down and beg for mercy. Maybe then, I might spare your life!”

“Do you believe I lack the resolve to end you? Or do you presume you can dictate my actions?” Dustin’s voice remained cold and resolute.

“Hehe… do you have the audacity? Take a look around! You’re ensnared like a rat, with no way out. Your only recourse is to kneel and surrender!” Brayden retorted with arrogance.

“Dustin! Release Brayden at once and surrender the treasure, or both you and the Harmon family will face obliteration!” Kate’s threat reverberated loudly.

“You hold hostages, and so do I. One life for one life,” Dustin attempted to temper his simmering anger.

“An eye for an eye?” Kate appeared to be contemplating her next move, casting a glance toward Tyler as if seeking his counsel.

Tyler remained silent but signaled his agreement with a nod.

In the public eye, as the head of the Grant family, he needed to uphold a certain degree of fraternity. Moreover, Dustin’s fate seemed sealed, making it a calculated risk.

“Both of you, bring that gravely injured man forward,” Kate instructed her subordinates in a hushed tone.

After a brief delay, two guards dragged the heavily wounded Hector to the forefront. Their path left a gruesome trail of bloodstains on the ground, painting a harrowing tableau.

“Hector?” Dustin’s expression changed when he saw him.

Hector, in this dire moment, was on the brink of death, his body bearing countless wounds that had turned his flesh into a gruesome tapestry of mangled skin. His condition was utterly horrifying.

“You… you should not have come…” Hector weakly lifted his head and spoke with great effort. He was in a dire predicament, and with the formidable might of the Grant family arrayed against him, Dustin seemed to have chosen a path leading to his own demise.

“Kate! You’re a savage! You won’t even spare your own uncle!” Dustin’s anger erupted uncontrollably.

Initially, he had believed that only Natasha had been captured, but he had not foreseen Hector’s suffering.

It appeared that the elder had endured severe torture.

“Enough with the chatter! Release the hostages immediately!” Kate ordered.

“Release Natasha too!” Dustin ground his teeth.

“Impossible! You just declared one life for one life. If you wish to free Natasha, you must surrender the treasure map!” Kate fired back.

“Very well, let’s start with one.”

Dustin was eager to avoid any further delay. He promptly consented. At this critical juncture, Hector’s life hung by a thread, and without immediate medical attention, his demise loomed.

“Carry this elderly man over there.”

Kate gestured, instructing two guards to transport Hector.

Observing this, Dustin gradually released his grip on Brayden, allowing him to depart.

“Cursed luck!”

Massaging his swollen neck, Brayden shot Dustin a malevolent glare before turning to make his way toward the contingent from the Grant family.

In this manner, both sides exchanged hostages.

However, as he passed by Hector, Brayden’s face suddenly turned ferocious.

“Die!”

Without any warning, Brayden suddenly drew a knife and stabbed it into Hector’s back.

A chilling blow was delivered.

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