Outside Dash Corporation building, a luxury sedan sat parked at the curb. The driver saw Gilbert stumble out, clutching his broken wrist, his face pale with agony. He quickly got out of the vehicle. “Mr. Chandler, what happened to you?”
“Shut the hell up!” Gilbert shouted. “Don’t ask stupid questions. Just get me to a hospital. It hurts like hell.”
He kicked the driver and climbed into the back seat. The driver didn’t dare say another word. He started the engine and sped toward the nearest hospital.
Gilbert winced and grimaced from the pain. He stared at his broken wrist while rage bubbled inside him. He pulled out his phone and fumbled with his working fingers to dial a number.
The call was quickly answered, and a calm but slightly annoyed male voice came from the other end.
“Gil? What is it? I’m in a meeting.”
“Frederick, someone hit me. My… My wrist is broken,” Gilbert cried, his voice cracked with pain and rage.
“What?” His elder brother, Frederick Chandler, raised his voice. “Someone dared to touch a member of our family on our turf? Who was it?”
“It was that bitch Natasha’s little boy toy. He’s at Dash Corporation right now,” Gilbert’s face contorted with rage as he ranted. “You have to help me get revenge, Frederick. I want him dead. No, I want him to suffer worse than death. And that bitch, too, I’ll make her-”
“That’s enough!” Frederick cut him off sharply. “Go to the hospital to treat your injuries first. I heard you, so leave it to me. Natasha… hmph, looks like her family thinks they can disrespect us. Don’t worry. I’ll handle this for you.”
The assurance eased some of Gilbert’s panic, but the hatred burning in his eyes remained.
The security team had already cleaned up the scene inside the CEO’s office, removing the bloodstains and the scattered roses.
Natasha dismissed the secretary and guards with a wave, then told them to close the door. She walked over to Dustin and asked, “Are you okay?”
Dustin smiled and shook his head. “He’s just a pest. Don’t worry about it.”
“Gilbert belongs to the Chandler family, one of the ancient houses in Oakvale,” Natasha said. “He’s only a wastrel, a distant relative, but the Chandlers have a reputation for defending their own kind.
She added, “His elder brother, Frederick, has made a name for himself in their generation. He’s ruthless, and I doubt he’ll overlook what happened today.”
“The Chandler family?” Dustin raised an eyebrow before shrugging it off with a smile. “We’ll deal with whatever comes our way. But what about you? Has that pest been bothering you this whole time?”
Seeing that he wasn’t the least bit worried about the Chandler family, Natasha relaxed. Of course, Dustin was capable and fearless. Why would an unimportant member of an ancient family worry him?
“You’re right. He’s so annoying. If it weren’t for my grandfather’s connection to their family, I would’ve had him thrown out ages ago,” she said with a pout.
“If he dares to come again, I’ll beat him every time I see him,” Dustin said calmly, but the message was clear.
Natasha was touched by his words and linked her arm through his. “Okay. Let’s not talk about these annoying things. You just got back, so today you’re going to keep me company while I shop.”
She used the direct line and told her secretary to cancel everything on her schedule for the day. Then she pulled him along eagerly for their long-overdue date.
Their first stop was the most exclusive shopping center downtown.
Natasha looked at Dustin’s slightly worn casual outfit. He still looked good in them, but it bothered her to see him dressed like that.
“Come on. Let’s get you some new clothes. You deserve to wear only the best.”
Before he could object, she dragged him into an upscale men’s clothing store. The staff sized up Natasha in seconds. Her elegant demeanor and expensive designer wardrobe told them everything they needed to know, and they greeted her with eager attention.
Natasha personally selected items for Dustin-dress shirts, suits, slacks, and overcoats. She had him try nearly every piece from the current season’s collection.
He had never cared much about fashion, but he let her have her way. When he emerged from the fitting room in a well-tailored dark suit, it was like watching someone transform. The suit highlighted his tall frame, broad shoulders tapering to a lean waist, and long legs.
Although his cultivation was restrained, there was something calm and aloof about him, born of weathering life’s hardships and seeing through its complexities. It merged unexpectedly well with the sophisticated polish the suit gave him, creating an unusual appeal.
“Sir, you look handsome in this outfit.” Even the sales assistant, who saw handsome men daily, couldn’t help but stare admiringly.
Natasha gazed at the transformed Dustin with undisguised delight, pride, and satisfaction written across her face. She stepped close to adjust his collar, examining him from different angles before nodding in approval.
“See? I really do have the best eye for these things.”
The sales assistants glanced between the strikingly beautiful Natasha and Dustin, and whatever fleeting thoughts they’d entertained quickly vanished. They felt that only someone as beautiful as Natasha could match a handsome man like him.
