An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2487

Chapter 2487

Seeing that he was about to be arrested, Adonis panicked completely. He shouted, “Without a proper investigation or a judge’s ruling, what right do you have to arrest me? This is blatant abuse of power! It’s completely unreasonable!”

Austin sneered. “When I tried reasoning with you, you acted like a scoundrel. Now that I’m treating you like one, you suddenly care about law and order? Do you think that’s how this works?”

Manuel stepped forward with a wicked grin and placed a firm hand on Adonis’s shoulder. “Master Rhys, if you have something to say, you can explain it in prison. We’ll have plenty of time to talk there.”

“Wait! I have something else to say!” Adonis swallowed hard, his eyes filled with desperation. Realizing he had no way out, he finally dropped his stubborn act and softened his tone. “Austin, we’re family. Why must we take things this far? I admit I made mistakes, but for the sake of our past relationship, can you let me go just this once?”

In the past, Adonis had used his words to manipulate others, twisting the truth to suit his needs.

But now, with irrefutable evidence against him, his usual tactics were useless.

Once imprisoned, escaping would be nearly impossible.

With no other options, he lowered his pride and pleaded with Austin.

“Let you go?” Austin scoffed. “If I let you go today, shouldn’t I also let every other criminal go? What would happen to the rule of law in West Lucozia then?”

“Austin! You can’t compare me to those criminals! I’m your uncle! A member of the Rhys family! Blood relatives matter more than outsiders!” Adonis argued, his voice rising in urgency.

Austin’s expression remained ice-cold. “Before, I respected you as an elder and gave you a chance to admit your mistakes. But you didn’t appreciate it. Instead, you tried to manipulate me with sentiment. Now, it’s too late.”

“Austin! I was wrong! I truly regret everything! Please, give me another chance. I’ll change! I swear I’ll become a better person!” Adonis pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.

Austin’s face remained expressionless. “You don’t regret your crimes—you regret getting caught. A man like you, who treats human lives as disposable, deserves no mercy.”

“Austin—” Adonis started to protest, but Austin cut him off.

“Manuel, what are you waiting for? Take him away.”

“Yes, sir!” Manuel responded without hesitation, grabbing Adonis and dragging him toward the exit.

“Austin! Austin!” Adonis screamed in terror, his voice cracking as he begged for mercy.

But Austin didn’t react. He watched coldly, unmoved by the pleas.

As he was dragged away, Adonis’s fear turned to fury. His face twisted in rage as he screamed, “Austin! You traitor! You disgrace your ancestors! I curse you to die a miserable death!”

His angry roars echoed through the hall as he disappeared from sight.

Austin remained unfazed. His gaze was as cold as ice, sweeping over the ministers in the room.

Those who had once looked down on him now kept their heads lowered, too afraid to meet his eyes.

When they had first entered, they had thought of him as nothing more than an inexperienced young man. They had shown him respect on the surface but secretly dismissed him as weak and naïve.

But after today’s events, they saw the truth.

This young man, barely in his twenties, possessed a sharp mind, ruthless strategy, and unwavering authority.

If you wanted evidence, he had it. If you wanted reason, he could argue his case. If you wanted a chance to repent, he would offer it.

But if you remained defiant, there would be no escape—at best, you’d be imprisoned, and at worst, you’d lose everything, including your life.

Adonis, now rotting in the infamous Black Prison, was proof of that.

If Austin could send his own blood relative to prison, what chance did the rest of them have?

“Does anyone else have something to say?” Austin asked coldly.

At his words, the older ministers exchanged glances before dropping to their knees with a loud thud.

“We know we were wrong! We surrender ourselves and beg for Your Majesty’s mercy!” one of them cried out.

Seeing others confess, the rest quickly followed suit. None dared to argue anymore.

They had seen what happened to those who resisted.

Trying to make excuses or deny their crimes would only enrage Austin and worsen their punishment.

Genuine repentance and submission were their only chances for survival.

“Hmph! You’re smart to surrender.” Austin’s expression remained unreadable. “Go to Manuel and confess everything. I won’t waste my time investigating.”

“Thank you for your mercy, Lord!” they all said in unison, bowing their heads deeply.

The emperor exhaled in relief.

As long as there was no deeper investigation, they still had room to maneuver.

By allowing them to confess voluntarily, Austin was offering them a lifeline.

At worst, they would have to resign from their positions and return home, keeping some of their wealth and living out their days in peace.

It was far better than prison—or the executioner’s blade.

“Get out of my sight.” Austin waved them away impatiently.

In politics, minor corruption was often overlooked, as long as it didn’t involve murder or extreme abuses of power. Those who admitted their mistakes could receive leniency.

But Adonis had crossed every line.

He had committed too many crimes, yet remained arrogant and unrepentant.

If someone like him wasn’t punished, what was the point of having laws at all?

Even if he had been a direct descendant of the Rhys family, he would have faced the same fate.

When justice demanded it, no one was above the law.