An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2466

Chapter 2466

At this moment, the Grand Secretary of Dragon Pavilion was in full panic.

Earlier, he had only been afraid of being implicated, but now a heavy accusation had been placed directly on his head, catching him completely off guard.

“Hmph! The evidence is undeniable, yet you still dare to argue? Do you need me to punish you severely?!” Austin roared.

“My Lord! I swear I am innocent!”

The Grand Secretary of Dragon Pavilion was so terrified that he nearly broke down. Holding up three fingers, he swore, “If I had any part in Tobias’s murder, may I be struck by lightning with no chance of redemption!”

Austin’s expression remained icy. “If swearing could prove innocence, what would be the point of the law enforcement team?” He scoffed. “Since you are a senior minister of West Lucozia, I will give you a chance to confess and receive leniency. Tell the truth now—otherwise, don’t blame me for sending you straight to the Black Prison!”

The moment he heard “Black Prison,” the Grand Secretary trembled from head to toe. Crying uncontrollably, he pleaded, “Young Prince! I truly did nothing! Who is slandering me? I demand to confront them in court!”

“You want to know the informant’s name? So you can silence him?” Austin shot back, his eyes sharp.

“I wouldn’t dare! I have been wronged! Young Prince, you are wise—you must not fall for the lies of traitors!” The Grand Secretary wept.

“The informant is a highly respected figure of noble status. I have no reason to doubt him,” Austin declared, his tone commanding.

At these words, something seemed to click in the Grand Secretary’s mind. He suddenly lifted his head, his expression urgent. “Young Prince! Was it General Cardinal Dragon Marshal who accused me? That bastard must have framed me!”

“The general is a man of integrity. He wouldn’t make an accusation without solid proof,” Austin responded coldly.

“Ha! So it was that bastard after all!” The Grand Secretary’s face twisted with anger and despair.

He had grown suspicious earlier when he saw General Cardinal Dragon Marshal casually chatting with Manuel from the law enforcement team. Later, when the palace guards mentioned that the Young Prince was hosting a banquet in the general’s honor, his doubts deepened.

At first, he didn’t want to believe the worst. But now, he understood—General Cardinal Dragon Marshal was shifting the blame, pinning Tobias’s murder on him to save himself.

“You bastard! If you are so ruthless, don’t blame me for fighting back!”

Grinding his teeth, the Grand Secretary threw caution to the wind. He raised his voice and exposed the truth on the spot.

“Young Prince, I know exactly what happened to Tobias! General Cardinal Dragon Marshal is lying! The real murderers are him and the City Guard Commander! The two of them worked together to extract certain secrets from Tobias—when he wouldn’t cooperate, they killed him. If you want justice, start with those two traitors!”

Austin narrowed his eyes. “Are you trying to deflect blame by accusing them?”

“I swear on my life and everything I own—what I just said is the absolute truth! If I am lying, I will accept execution without complaint!” The Grand Secretary declared firmly.

“The general claims you are the murderer, and now you claim he is. Who am I supposed to believe?” Austin mused, appearing undecided.

“If you don’t believe me, bring that bastard here! I will confront him face-to-face in court!” The Grand Secretary’s gaze was unwavering.

“What’s the point of a confrontation? Each of you has your own story—the dispute would never end. What matters is evidence,” Austin said seriously. “You accuse the general and the City Guard Commander of killing Tobias. Do you have proof? Witnesses, perhaps?”

“Proof?” The Grand Secretary hesitated for a moment, then his eyes lit up. “Young Prince! I know their secret bases and hidden operations. If we investigate these locations, we will definitely uncover evidence!”

“And if we don’t?” Austin raised an eyebrow.

“Then I will accept any punishment!” The Grand Secretary declared without hesitation. Since General Cardinal Dragon Marshal and the City Guard Commander had betrayed him, he had no reason to hold back. If he was going down, he would take them with him.

Austin turned to the man beside him. “Manuel, take him to investigate immediately. Report back as soon as you find anything!”

“Yes, sir!”

Manuel responded swiftly and left with the Grand Secretary.

Previously, the law enforcement team had struggled with their investigation—officials covered for each other, making it difficult to find concrete evidence.

But now, with the Grand Secretary as an insider, everything changed.

Barriers became stepping stones. Hidden trails became clear paths.

Secrets long buried—details about General Cardinal Dragon Marshal and the City Guard Commander, their weaknesses, and their crimes—were all laid bare. The Grand Secretary spared nothing.

It had become an all-out battle of exposure.

With his cooperation, the palace law enforcement team launched a sweeping crackdown. Arrests were made everywhere.

The corruption and collusion between General Cardinal Dragon Marshal and the City Guard Commander were exposed. Their dark dealings, their betrayals, their past atrocities—everything came to light, one crime after another.