Chapter 63.

"No! That's impossible!" Dahlia thought. She denied the

notion as soon as it emerged. Apart from his good looks, Dustin was just

an average man. There was nothing special about him. Mason, on the other

hand, had not only taken over Sir Spanner's position and had authority

over the Drey Group, but he also had hundreds of henchmen at his beck and

call. Why would he be intimidated by a small fry like Dustin? She must be

delusional. Mason's kicks and punches rained down on Mr. Chansey

unceasingly, causing him to spit blood. He saw no other way to it than to

give Mr. Chansey1 a good beating for fear that Dustin would do him in out

of wrath. "I'm sorry, Sir Zims, I was wrong! Please stop, I'm begging

you, please stop!" Mr. Chansey cried out between wails. Mason only

stopped after he sneaked a glance at Dustin and saw that his countenance

was much calmer than before. He counted himself lucky that there was a

scapegoat. He would have been in a bad spot otherwise. "A fat lot of use

apologizing to me! If Ms. Nicholson does not forgive you, you will not

see tomorrow!" Mason scolded harshly. "I'm terribly sorry, Ms. Nicholson!

I was wrong, it was all my fault. This will never happen again. Please

forgive me!" Mr. Chansey was on his knees as he begged for forgiveness.

Long gone was his unbridled arrogance. "That's enough. Don't ever let me

see you again!" Dahlia uttered frostily. "Yes, I'll get lost right this

instant!" He nodded incessantly and dashed for the exit. He did not even

stop to retrieve his shoe that fell off on his way out. "My apologies,

Ms. Nicholson. The blame is on me. He offended you because I have not

disciplined him well. I will reflect on my mistakes." Mason smiled

apologetically. He was a smart cookie. Knowing that Dustin always

maintained a low profile, he did not blow his cover. "How fair and just

you are, Sir Zims. I'm impressed." Dahlia gave a slight smile. "Oh no,

I'm only doing what's right," Mason replied with a guilty conscience.

"Hmph, at least you know where you stand!" Matt announced haughtily. "Had

Dahlia been harmed in the slightest today, I would not have let you off

the hook!" "No, I wouldn't dare," Mason continued with the same

apologetic smile. He had no idea who Matt was, but seeing that he was

with Mr. Rhys, Mason was sure he wasn't someone to be trifled with. "Take

your men with you and scram. Such eyesores!" Matt said condescendingly.

Mason dared not retort. He peeked at Dustin for a brief moment before

taking his leave. In no time, all his lackeys dispersed.

"Once again, Matt saves the day!" Florence's eyes lit up as she smiled

excitedly. "Dahlia, did you see that? Wasn't Sir Zims cocky earlier on?

But once he saw Matt, he got so scared that he was just short of peeing

his pants! And that's how powerful the Laneys are!" As soon as she said

that, the realization dawned on the crowd. "No wonder Sir Zims was

terrified. We have a big shot here!" "I wonder who that attractive man

is. It's amazing how he scared SirZims off like that!" "He's handsome and

he's powerful. How does one even resist a man like that?" A few ladies in

the crowd fawned over how charming Matt was. "The Laneys are, after all,

a powerful family of the nobility. I think we have a say on what goes on

around here. Dealing with a mere thug is no big deal." Matt smiled,

feigning modesty. "It's no big deal to you, but it would definitely not

be an easy feat for some people." Florence then looked at Dustin out of

the corner of her eye and said cynically. "Hey Rhys, Matt here just saved

your life. Are you not going to thank him?" "Why should I thank him?"

Dustin could not seem to fathom it. "Why? Well, had Matt not dealt with

Sir Zims, do you think you could get out of this unscathed?" Florence

asked as she crossed her arms. "First things first, I did not need his

help. Secondly, he had nothing to do with me getting away," Dustin said.

"Hmph! How stubborn!" Florence then continued, full of disdain, "Matt

just saved you, and not only are you unappreciative, but you're also

boasting so shamelessly. Have you no conscience?" "Precisely! What's

wrong with him? That is so rude of him!" "He's not even thanking the

person who saved him! Should have left him to fend for himself!" A few

girls crowded around were outraged by the injustice toward Matt. From the

way they saw it, Dustin was plain ungrateful. "Forget it, it's just a

small matter. Let's not make a fuss." Matt said with a wave of his hand,

trying to look magnanimous. "Oh, Matt, you're just too kind! Ungrateful

bastards like this one here deserve to suffer!" Florence was indignant.

"I simply saved him for Dahlia's sake," Matt smiled slightly and turned

to look at Dustin. "Speaking of which, I should be the one thanking you.

Thank you for taking care of Dahlia in my stead for the past three

years." Matt appeared to be thanking Dustin, but his words seemed to

carry a different meaning. From what he said, he had staked his claim on

Dahlia, making her his. "Well, if you're thanking me, why don't you kneel

before me? That's not too much to ask for, is it?" Dustin challenged. Matt was at a loss for words. His eyes narrowed ever so

slightly. "I was just playing nice. Does he really think I'm easy?" he

thought to himself. "Hey Rhys, I'm warning you, you better watch your

mouth!" Florence was furious. Dahlia remained silent, but her brows

furrowed too. She thought that Dustin had crossed the line too. After

all, Matt had helped him out of a dire situation. Even if he wasn't

grateful, he should at least be polite. "Dustin, you were able to win her

hand back then because I went abroad. But now that I'm back, you will not

have the chance anymore." Matt lowered his voice as he approached Dustin.

"Is that so? I beg to differ." Dustin shrugged. "You should know where

you stand. You and I, we're in totally different leagues." Matt

straightened out his suit and looked down his nose at Dustin with scorn.

"Can you even begin to comprehend how vastly different we are in social

standing? Everything that you dare not even dream of having is within my

grasp. And that is the difference between us!" He spoke in such low tones

that his words were only audible to the both of them. "I do not know

where you got your inflated ego from, but if there's one thing you should

know, it's that you do not mess with me." There was no trace of emotion

on Dustin's face. Matt sniggered meanly. "Very well, we shall see then."

He reached out to pat Dustin on the shoulder when he paused midway,

reconsidering his decision and retracting his hand slowly as though the

act would soil his hand. The simple gesture itself was packed with a ton

of humiliation. "Alright, alright. Let's not waste time conversing with

the likes of him. How about I treat you to a good meal at Hillview Hotel

to celebrate your return?" Florence suggested with a smile. "I would be

honored." Matt turned around and his innocent facade was back in place

again, a smile plastered on his face. "Come on, let's go then." Without

another word, Florence led Dahlia away. Dahlia turned to speak to Dustin

but failed to find the right words to say.