“What, are you gonna resort to physical violence?” A cold smile curved Dustin’s lips at the sight of the
security guards surrounding him. He’d always been the type who was open to persuasion, not
coercion. Perhaps he would’ve given in to them if they’d talked to him nicely, but if they wanted to opt
for physical violence he didn’t mind teaching them a lesson or two,
well,
“So what if I am? Don’t think too highly of yourself, you brat!” Quentin snarled. He’d always harbored a
grudge against Dustin for humiliating him at their first meeting. If not for Natasha keeping him in check,
he would’ve exacted revenge on Dustin ages ago. Now that Natasha wasn’t around, it was his chance
to get payback!
“Quentin, don’t take things too far!” Ruth couldn’t stand it anymore. “It’s up to Dustin whether he wants
to sell the shares. If you dare do anything to harm him, I won’t let you off the hook!”
“Ruth, this has nothing to do with you. Keep your nose out of this! Quentin didn’t back down.
“Why, you- “Ruth was about to say something else when Jessica stopped her.
“Dustin, a wise man knows how to adapt to the situation. You can’t hoard all those shares for yourself,
so cough them up when we’re asking nicely, Jessica said. “Many people have gotten into trouble not
because of things they’ve done but because they possess things that shouldn’t belong to them. With
your identity and ability, you’ll only get yourself into more trouble if you keep these shares.”
“Is that a threat, Mrs. Harmon?” Dustin cidn’t bat an eye.
“It’s a piece of advice. One should know their limits–do you think you would’ve achieved what you have
if not for my daughter protecting you?” Jessica looked at him contemptuously.
“I won’t deny that Ms. Harmon has given me plenty of help, but I didn’t rely on anyone to get to where I
am now,
Dustin said coldly. “As for Immortunol, I think there’s something you need to get straight–I provided the
form and was the first to develop it sessfully. I don’t care about the shares, but that doesn’t mean
I’ll
allow you to push me around like this!”
“How dare you!” Jessica mmed a hand on the table and shot to her feet. “Dustin, I’ve tried to y
nice with
you. Don’t push me!”
“Who’s pushing who?” Dustin retorted. “When the Hummer family sessfully developed and
marketed
Eternumax, the Harmon family had nothing and no way topete with them. I was the one who
helped you
make it past that crisis, yet here you are, burning bridges as soon as you get the chance. Is this how
ungrateful the Harmon family–or certain family members, at least–is?
“Why, you- Jessica fumed. She didn’t expect a brat who relied on the Harmon family’s protection to
rebuke
her like this.
“Aunt Jessica, don’t waste your breath on this brat. All we need to do is capture him; I have plenty of
ways to make him give in!” Quentin fanned the mes.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.
“Mom, don’t do anything rash. If youy a hand on Dustin, Natasha won’t ever forgive you!” Ruth
warned.
Jessica stiffened. Ruth’s words made her stop to think for a while. Her rtionship with Natasha was
already strained; if she were to go ahead with this, Natasha would probably sever ties with her.
At this moment, the man who’d been sitting opposite Jessica and the others spoke. “Mrs. Harmon, I
thought it would be easy for you to retrieve the shares, but it seems I was wrong.”
“And who are you?” Dustin gave him a cold look. He’d noticed this man as soon as he’d stepped into
the conference room. He supposed this guy was the cause of Jessica’s sudden interference.
“The name’s Williams, Brody Williams. I’m from Boulderthorn Guild; my father’s the second–in–
command,” the
man said coolly.
“Mr. Williams is your father, huh?” Dustin raised an eyebrow in surprise. He’d met Oliver Williams
earlier, it
seemed Brody was his brother.
“I’m sure you know how powerful the Boulderthorn Guild is.” Brody lit a cigarette and took a drag. Then,
he waved a hand around and said arrogantly. “So, you’re left with two options–either you hand over the
shares and take the 50 million or make an enemy out of me.”
“I won’t give the shares up unless Ms. Harmon personally asks me to.” Dustin said coolly.
“Excuse me?” Brody’s expression became frosty. “Do you know what you’re talking about, you brat?
Have you thought about the consequences you’d bear if you make an enemy out of the Boulderthorn
Guild?”
“Firstly, you don’t represent the Boulderthom Guild. Secondly, so what if I make an enemy out of you?
Do you
think the Boulderthorn Guild runs the world?” Dustin didn’t bat an eye.
“I admire your audacity, brat. It’s been a while since someone had the nerve to speak to me like that.
Still you’ll have to pay for your arrogance! As for the rest of you.” Brody grinned menacingly as he
turned to Jessica and the others. “If you don’t want to make an enemy out of the Boulderthorn Guild,
you’d better show me some of your sincerity in forming an alliance. If this brat refuses to give us
ownership of his shares, you’re the ones who’ll have to cough it up. Either way, we’re definitely getting
our hands on 50 percent of
Immortuncl’s shares!”
Jessica’s expression changed at his words, as did the others. Il Dustin refused to hand over his shares,
he’d drag the rest of them down with him. Boulderthorn Guild was backing them into a corner.
“I’ve already said everything there is to say: I’ll leave the final decision in your hands. See you around.”
Brody
snorted and stood up.
“Hold it!” Dustin said.
“What, changed your mind already?” Brody sneered. “I thought you were a tough cookie, but it seems
you’re a bigger pushover than you look.” Then again, it made sense. How many people in Balerno
dared to stand up
against the Boulderthorn Guild?
“At least you haven’t lost all sense of rationality. Dustin. We could’ve avoided all this hassle if you’d
just. agreed to it earlier.” Jessica heaved a sigh of relief. Not even the Harmon family wanted to get on
the
Boulderthorn Guild’s bad side.
Quentin scolled. “So you were just pretending to be a tough guy. You had to give in to the Boulderthorn
Guild in the end anyway, didn’t you? Stop acting like you’re such a big shol.” The way he saw it, Brody
only had to threaten Custin a little to make him pee his pants.
“Brody Williams from the Boulderthorn Guild, right?” Dustin slowly got to his feet. “Do you think you
own this
Chanter 228
ce,ing and going as you like? Did you bother asking me for permission?”
“What?” Brody raised an eyebrow, “What’s that supposed to mean, brat?”
“Do you think you can march in here, act all high and mighty, then leave whenever you want? What
made you think you could do that?” Dustin gave him the stink–eye.
Brody snorted and pointed at his face. “What, do you wanna start a light or something? Go on, then. I
dare you
toy a punch on me, you-”
Before he finished his sentence, he was sent flying by a crisp p to the face. He spun a few times
midair beforending headfirst in a gigantic vase in the corner. It wasrge enough for his whole body
to fit inside. leaving his feet sticking out of the mouth,
Jessica and the others were stunned to see that. Their jaws dropped, and silence descended upon the
room.