An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Brian’s face displayed confusion and embarrassment as Alicia stirred awake. Although her regaining consciousness surprised him, the bruise on his ego stung him even more.

The way Dustin and Grace eyed him only made him feel more like a fool. Now that Alicia was awake, everything he had done before seemed like a farce, and he had never felt so humiliated.

At that moment, his hatred toward Dustin and Grace reached its peak.

“Alicia, how are you feeling? Do you feel any discomfort?” Aurora asked, leaning in with concern.

“My head’s throbbing…” Alicia grimaced and massaged her temples. Then, she asked, “Why am I here? What happened?”

She felt disoriented. Her mind was shrouded in fog, and she had no memory of what had happened, which left her utterly bewildered.

“You were poisoned and in critical condition. Faith and Dr. Rhys came to your aid just in time, or you might not have made it,” Aurora recounted the harrowing experience.

Upon hearing that, Alicia’s gaze shifted to Grace, and she was surprised to see her. “Faith, what brings you here?”

“I heard about your illness and brought a skilled doctor with me. Luckily, we arrived just in time. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened.” Grace smiled faintly.

before turning her attention to Dustin. “So, you’re Dr. Rhys? Thank you for saving my life. If

need to thank me. I acted at Faith’s behest,” Dustin replied

more going on between Dr. Rhys and Faith,” Alicia teased

you’re cracking jokes? Just lie down and get some

apart. I need to get up and move around,” Alicia insisted with a faint smile

and her whole body

said as she supported

okay,” Alicia dismissed Aurora’s concern, closing her eyes briefly and

with a smile.

be honest with you. The poison affecting you isn’t

this is a highly skilled mystic artist. While I might be able to save you once, doing it again could be dangerous. To protect yourself, we must locate this person and either make

had any past conflicts with someone?” Grace

and pondered

added, “I don’t usually go out much. But I heard about the Combat Tournament at Sacred Wrym Summit, so I decided to join in for

strange,” Grace remarked. She turned to Dustin, who nodded in

were exchanged, they both understood each other’s thoughts. If it wasn’t revenge, it was likely a scheme from

Order and the

suddenly exclaimed as

me and

at the time. But shortly after, I passed out. Could it