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.

would drop by occasionally to secretly

stranger?” Dustin’s expression turned serious. He’d always thought Brooke saved Cinna, but it seemed there was more to the

don’t know,” Harper

never seen the stranger’s face directly. Whenever he visited, my grandpa told me to go somewhere else. I was just curious

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

secret or hadn’t completely

Brooke for treatment, and was taking serious precautions. Dustin had a gut feeling that finding this mysterious person would uncover the

asked again. “Oh, yeah! I remember my grandpa referring

“Mr. Judd?”

was neither a prominent Judd family in Oakvale nor any high- ranking officials with the Judd surname. So, who was this, Mr.

know this much, nothing more,” Harper said nervously. Dustin stared at Harper for a few seconds, making

in the future, you both better behave. If you try any more sneaky stuff, don’t blame me for