An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2484

Chapter 2484

“As for the rest of you, I will investigate each of you one by one.” Austin’s gaze swept past Adonis and landed on the ministers. He sneered. “You’d better be sure you’re clean—because if I catch any wrongdoing, I will enforce the law without mercy!”

Panic spread instantly.

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts pounding like a drum.

Realizing Austin’s fury, they quickly fell silent. They had followed Adonis’s lead, listening to his reckless outbursts, never expecting that he would end up dragging them all into trouble.

Officials in their positions often had skeletons in their closets—minor scandals that princes usually turned a blind eye to.

But Austin clearly wasn’t playing by the usual rules.

If he decided to dig deep, most of them wouldn’t escape unscathed.

“Lord Rhys! What do we do now? The young prince seems serious.”

“If he conducts a thorough investigation, we’re all in danger!”

“Lord Rhys, we followed you here—you can’t let us take the fall for this!”

Anxious murmurs filled the room as the ministers crowded around Adonis, desperate for guidance.

They had come in response to his call, hoping to support Cardinal Dragon Marshal and, in turn, gain favor.

If they succeeded, they would gain influence.

But if they got caught up in this mess, offending Austin would be a fatal mistake.

This was turning into a disaster.

Clearly, the situation had spiraled out of control.

If they handled it poorly, there would be no way out.

“You’re acting like frightened children. Why the panic?”

The ministers’ frantic whispers grated on Adonis’s nerves.

Already frustrated, he grew even more irritable as their voices filled the room.

“Lord Rhys, you hold power and have powerful connections, so of course, you’re not worried,” one minister complained. “But we’re different. We’re low-ranking officials—one mistake and we lose everything! And you heard him. The young prince won’t stop at you. He intends to punish us as well. What do we do?”

Those who had previously supported Adonis were now full of regret.

If he hadn’t been so arrogant—so determined to challenge Austin—they wouldn’t be in this position.

In the end, they were just collateral damage.

“A true minister should not fear death!” Adonis declared, his expression righteous. “Our duty is to challenge injustice and tyranny! If we crumble at the first sign of trouble, we might as well go home and become farmers!”

His words did nothing to reassure them.

The ministers exchanged dark looks.

All this talk of opposing injustice and tyranny was nothing more than empty rhetoric.

Everyone knew the real reason Adonis had come here—he was abusing his power for personal gain.

He wore the mask of a loyal, righteous minister, but in reality, he was entangled in backroom dealings with Cardinal Dragon Marshal.

If the Marshal fell, Adonis and his allies would suffer enormous losses.

That was why he had rallied them—to pressure Austin into backing down.

At first, they had gone along with it, thinking it was a simple show of support.

They never imagined that Adonis would be reckless enough to confront the young prince directly.

Now, everyone was under investigation.

Adonis had backed them into a corner, yet he showed no remorse—no effort to salvage the situation.

If this continued, they would all be doomed.

With that in mind, the ministers began thinking of ways to save themselves.

Adonis was no longer a reliable ally.

Their only hope was to find a way to placate Austin before it was too late.

Time dragged on.

In the reception hall, Austin remained at ease, sipping tea and enjoying snacks.

The ministers, on the other hand, were confined to the room, growing more anxious by the minute.

Adonis, though outwardly calm, was far from composed.

If Austin had uncovered any damning evidence, how would he defend himself?

“Your Highness! General St-Onge has returned!”

A guard suddenly entered, making the announcement.

At once, tension filled the room.

Adonis and the ministers tensed, their anxiety mounting.

Everything depended on whether Manuel had found anything.

“Let him in,” Austin said casually, setting down the grapes he had been eating.

He remained as composed as ever.

He knew the law enforcement team’s capabilities.

Even if they couldn’t uncover everything about Adonis’s past, they would find enough to cause serious trouble.

Two minutes later, Manuel strode into the room, accompanied by several law enforcement officers.

“Well?” Austin asked, his tone calm.

Manuel bowed. “Your Highness, we have gathered all the necessary evidence. It is more than enough to bring him to justice!”

As he spoke, he shot Adonis a mocking look.

Adonis’s eyelids twitched. His heart pounded violently.

Disaster had struck.