Dustin felt the softness in his arms and the familiar scent tingling his nose. He broke into a smile. He


    could tell from her uncontrolled crying that she cared greatly about him.


    “Okay, now. Stop crying. Your tears are wetting this new shirt I bought two days ago.” After some


    hugging, Dustin finally opened his mouth.


    “What’s the big deal? I’ll just pay for the shirt.” She let go of him and didn’t forget to give him a pinch in


    the waist, sending him grimacing in pain. “And what was that just now? Why didn’t you escape


    sooner?” she confronted him.


    “He’s a ticking time bomb–no pun intended. Of course, I had to subdue him before I left,” he answered


    matter–of–factly.


    “I know you’re great at fighting, but you have to care about your safety. He had bombs strapped on his


    body. What if he got you killed in an explosion?” she protested.


    He grinned and replied, “But I’m all well.”


    “It’s all because of your dumb luck. You’d better not push your luck the next time!” she warned him.


    “Okay. I’ll act like a loser and think of my safety first.” He nodded furiously.


    “That’s more like it!” She nodded with satisfaction. It was all great being a glorious hero, but that was


    also how people got themselves killed in a slip–up. She’d rather Dustin stay a loser.


    “Dustin Rhys, do you have nine lives? Why weren’t you dead from that huge explosion?” James and


    Florence cautiously made their way up to the rubble.


    “I need to thank my lucky stars for surviving the bombing,” Dustin dropped a casual remark.


    “Oh my god! My vi!” Florence suddenly started howling at the sight of the rubble when she realized


    the extent of the damage done. “Oh, Edwin Hummer, you asshole! I’m fine with him wanting to die.


    How could he ruin my vi while he was at it? This is unforgivable!”


    “Mom, this all happened because of Dustin. I think you can ask him forpensation.” James was


    thinking fast and came up with an idea.


    “That’s right!” Florence nodded and grabbed Dustin by the sleeve. “Dustin Rhys, it’s all your fault! You


    need to pay up for ruining my vi!”


    “Mom, a vi is nothingpared to a life. Dustin has saved us. Do you think it’s fair to ask him. for


    compensation?” Dahlia frowned at her mother.


    “Why is that unfair? He got us into this trouble. Don’t you ever think of leaving if you don’t pay up!”


    Florence started acting like a Karen.


    “Alright, then. How much?” Dustin did not want to quarrel with her.


    “Eight million… No! Ten!” Florence was thinking on her feet and inted the price at the veryst


    minute.


    “Mom! We bought this vi for five million. Aren’t you scamming Dustin by asking for ten million?


    “Dahlia grew increasingly annoyed.


    “That was in the past. Don’t you know that housing prices are climbing like crazy? I won’t let this slide if


    I don’t receive the ten million!” Florence put her hands on her waist.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    “You-” Dahlia was about to go off, but Dustin pressed a hand against hers.


    “Whatever. Ten million it is. I’ll transfer it to your ount tomorrow.”


    “Hmph! That’s more like it!” She gleefully let go of him.


    “Hey! Are you mad? Where are you going to get the money when you’re running a tiny medical


    center?” Dahlia red at him.


    “You shouldn’t underestimate me. I provided the Harmon family with my prescription, and I will receive


    50% of the sales of the pills they manufactured. Ten million is nothing.” Dustin appeared unbothered.


    Be it the profits from Hillview Hotel or his 50% ownership of the proceeds from Immortunol, he was


    guaranteed a huge amount of bonus monthly, which could add up to at least tens of millions per month.


    “At the end of the day, you’re still Natasha Harmon’s kept man.” Dahlia was dripping with jealousy.


    “Look at the way you put it. I am only her business partner. How could you call me a kept man?” Dustin


    objected.