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.

more, this stranger would drop by occasionally to

always thought Brooke saved Cinna, but it seemed there was more to

know,” Harper shook her

visited, my grandpa told me to go somewhere else.

“I overheard this stranger telling my grandpa that Cinna’s identity had to be protected at all costs. If anyone comes looking for Cinna, my grandpa should inform this stranger

upon hearing this. It was clear that Brooke was keeping a secret or hadn’t completely trusted Dustin yet. The pressing question

and was taking serious precautions. Dustin had a gut feeling that finding this mysterious person would uncover the truth about the events from years

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

“Mr. Judd?”

in Oakvale nor any high- ranking officials with the Judd surname.

this much, nothing more,” Harper said nervously. Dustin stared at Harper for a few seconds, making sure she wasn’t lying. “Okay, based on the information you’ve given, I

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