An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Don’t pick a fight you can’t handle.

“Think fast. If you don’t spill the beans, I’m going to use this poison for your extreme makeover.” As he spoke, Dustin unscrewed the bottle. He held it threateningly over Harper’s head.

“No, please! Don’t mess up my face!” Harper’s legs turned to jelly as tears streamed down his face. She pleaded, “Okay, okay, I’ll talk. Just put that thing away!”

“It would’ve been easier if you’d started with that,” Dustin said, putting the bottle away. After all, someone like Harper never changed unless she was backed against the wall. Harper gasped for air and composed herself. In a shaky voice, she began.

The story about Cinna goes back a few years. “One day, a stranger suddenly showed up at our door and chatted with my grandpa. I overheard a bit through the door.

“It turns out this stranger is the one who saved Cinna ten years ago.”

“Wait! Wasn’t it Dr. Busch who saved Mr. Shaffer?” Dustin interjected. “This stranger brought the critically injured Cinna to Harmony Healers. So, my grandpa treated him.

stranger would drop by occasionally

stranger?” Dustin’s expression turned serious. He’d always thought Brooke saved

Harper

told me to go somewhere else. I was just curious that day, so

to be protected at all costs. If anyone comes looking for Cinna, my grandpa should inform this stranger immediately to avoid any unexpected trouble,”

keeping a secret or hadn’t completely

a gut feeling that

more information?” Dustin asked again. “Oh, yeah! I remember my grandpa referring to this

“Mr. Judd?”

pondered. As far as he knew, there was neither a prominent Judd family in Oakvale nor any high- ranking officials with the Judd

Harper for a few seconds, making sure she wasn’t lying. “Okay, based on the information you’ve given, I

you try any more sneaky