An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2486

Chapter 2486

“The ledger?”

Adonis’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at the familiar red account book lying at his feet. His composure shattered.

He never imagined that the law enforcement team would find the records he had hidden in his secret chamber.

These account books held undeniable proof of his corruption—evidence of his collusion with officials and wealthy businessmen, along with years of bribery.

He had kept them as a safeguard, ensuring those in power wouldn’t abandon him if things went south.

Yet today, his so-called insurance had become his death warrant.

Property could be seized, and his children could deny any connection to him. But how could he disown an account book filled with his own handwriting?

Adonis’s forehead creased with deep frowns. Sweat beaded on his skin, soaking his back before he even realized it.

“Master Rhys, why are you sweating so much? Is it too hot? Should I call someone to fan you?” Manuel sneered, mockery lacing his words.

The evidence was ironclad. No matter how much Adonis denied it, he was trapped.

“Master Rhys, are you going to claim that these records are forged? That they have nothing to do with you?” Austin smirked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“No, that’s right! It’s a setup! This has nothing to do with me. I don’t own such an account book! Someone must have framed me!” Adonis argued desperately.

At this point, he had no other option but to deny everything to the very end.

But no one believed him.

Even the ministers who once supported him now looked at him with disdain.

How pathetic. He was caught red-handed, yet he still tried to lie his way out.

No amount of denial could change the fact that the evidence before them was enough to bring him down.

Sometimes, shamelessness didn’t solve problems—it only made things worse.

“Amazing… Truly amazing.”

Austin clapped his hands, smiling coldly. “In all my life, I’ve never seen someone as shameless as you. If you had admitted your crimes and pleaded guilty today, I might have shown some mercy out of past loyalty. But you refuse to repent and continue your farce. You leave me no choice.”

Turning to Manuel, Austin ordered, “Bring out all the evidence against Adonis. We will go through each crime, one by one!”

“Yes!”

Manuel responded immediately, retrieving a thick stack of documents from his subordinates.

Then, he began reading them aloud:

“Eight years ago, Adonis assaulted a woman, leading to her suicide. To cover it up, he bribed officials and threatened her family.”

“Five years ago, he conspired with a wealthy businessman to murder a rival and his entire family, seizing their assets.”

“Three years ago, Adonis’s son raped and killed an official’s daughter. When the official reported the crime, Adonis retaliated—falsely accusing him, imprisoning him, and ultimately causing his death in jail.”

“Investigations reveal that Adonis has been involved in over a dozen murder cases. His crimes are beyond redemption!”

Finishing, Manuel handed the documents to Austin.

Austin’s expression darkened as he skimmed through them.

At first, he had thought Adonis was just another corrupt official—greedy for wealth and power.

But this?

This was much worse.

So many innocent lives lost.

Austin’s jaw clenched as he threw the stack of papers at Adonis, his gaze chilling.

“What do you have to say now?”

Adonis frantically grabbed the fallen documents, ripping them apart with trembling hands. “Lies! All lies! I refuse to accept this!”

His desperation was pathetic.

“You dare destroy evidence in public?” Manuel’s eyes blazed with fury, his hand reaching for his sword.

But Austin raised a hand, stopping him. “Let him tear it up. It won’t change a thing.”

“Fake! It’s all fake!”

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Adonis shredded every last page, as if destroying them could erase his crimes.

Austin simply watched in silence, his face unreadable.

Yet his gaze was as cold as death itself.

“Are you done?” Austin asked calmly. “Do you have any last words?”

Adonis glared at him. “Austin! Stop trying to intimidate me! I won’t admit to anything! You will not frame me!”

Austin remained unmoved. “If there’s nothing more to say, then take him away. He will be executed in three days.”

“Yes, sir!”

Manuel grinned at the order.

He had despised Adonis for years. Tonight, he would finally teach him a lesson.

“Austin! How dare you!”

Adonis’s face contorted in fury. He roared, “I am a member of the Rhys family! Your elder! Your father’s brother! If you kill me, you are a traitor!”

Austin scoffed. “Elder? Brother? You are merely a branch member of the Rhys family. You have power and wealth today only because of my father’s generosity. And yet, instead of living an honorable life, you chose greed, corruption, and violence.”

His tone turned ice-cold.

“If we don’t make an example of you today, won’t others follow in your footsteps?”

Adonis opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out.

He had lost.

“Guards! Take him away. Prepare for interrogation.”

“Take him!”

At Manuel’s command, the soldiers shackled Adonis and dragged him away.

Finally, the weight of his crimes crushed him.

His struggle was over.