An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

“Gentlemen, I’ve done my part and had my tea already. I still have things to take care of, so I’ll leave now. Farewell!” Jovian said.

When no one responded, he didn’t say another word. He nodded respectfully, stood up, and exited the room.

When the door opened, Warrick’s face darkened, and his hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of his sword. But before he could act, Huxley gently touched his arm and shook his head.

Jovian noticed something was off and paused at the doorway before stepping out.

Boston, who was standing by the door, let out a quiet sigh of relief as he watched Jovian leave without a scratch. His relief was short-lived, though, when he saw the grim expressions on the faces of the three men inside.

It was clear that the meeting hadn’t gone well. Fortunately, nothing too serious had happened. Otherwise, Boston would have much explaining to do to both sides.

“Why did you stop me? That arrogant brat clearly doesn’t respect us. He’ll think we’re pushovers if we don’t teach him a lesson.” Warrick slammed his fist on the table.

The rosewood split apart under the impact, and food and wine flew everywhere. In the past, his temper would have led him to kill Jovian on the spot.

“If he were anyone else, you could do whatever you wanted,” Huxley said calmly.

“But Jovian isn’t just from the Ballard family. He’s also Lord Austin’s guest. If something happened to him here today, do you think His Highness would let us off the hook?”

“That’s right,” Percival added. “We can threaten and intimidate all we want, but harming him is out of the question. It’s not worth provoking Lord Austin over a petty dispute.”

hurting him would cause a lot of trouble. Even though they weren’t afraid of the

can’t insult or hit him. So we

word got out about this, his reputation would take a

invited him here. Lord Austin will hold us responsible if something goes wrong on

a moment, then seemed to get the

few skilled men, grab him, interrogate him, and make sure he vanishes without a trace.” Huxley made a slashing motion across his throat and lowered his voice. “As long as we keep it clean and leave no evidence, even if Lord Austin suspects something, he won’t have a reason

of that.” Warrick’s eyes lit

wasn’t anything new to him. If Jovian had been a local noble from West Lucozia,

stir things up here. With their reach, Warrick didn’t need to worry about the

make a scene, Warrick figured that Austin wouldn’t make a fuss over a dead

we should take lightly. Maybe we should think this

was one thing, but if it led to someone’s death, he felt it crossed a

me make

Mr. Prescott.” Percival laughed awkwardly. “Consider me absent today.

it, he would. After all these years in politics, he knew that sometimes, it was best to let things slide and tolerate a

remarking, “The older you get, the more timid you become. “He cast a sideways

dealing with Jovian was easy enough.

moving jeep, Jovian sat with his eyes closed in the back seat while

West Lucozia now. The sooner, the better.” Boston finally spoke up after

already made arrangements with Lord Austin. We’re supposed to head back to Oakvale tomorrow. If