An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2539

Chapter 2539

Dustin’s face darkened, and his tone turned sharp.

Letting Nathaniel search his room without protest just felt wrong.

“Brother Rhys, there are thieves in the mansion. The entire place is on lockdown. For your safety, we need to search your quarters,” Nathaniel said grimly.

He strongly suspected Dustin, but without solid evidence, he couldn’t make an outright accusation. Still, if Dustin resisted too much, Nathaniel wouldn’t hold back.

“Thieves?” Dustin raised an eyebrow. “Really? You think the shaking earlier was connected to that?”

“We’ll discuss the details later. Right now, we have to check this area before the thief escapes,” Nathaniel snapped, signaling Mateo and Emmett to move.

The two exchanged a glance, said nothing, and led a team into the inner rooms.

Nathaniel gave Dustin a long, searching look, then followed them inside.

The lights inside the house flickered softly. It was tidy and spacious.

In the warm glow sat a woman in red.

Her black hair was pinned high with a red-gold hairpin, delicate pearls swaying gently and casting tiny shadows on her temple. Her eyebrows were elegantly arched, her eyes slightly upturned like rippling spring water—more dazzling than the coral in her hair.

Her skin was pale as jade, lips naturally red. When she smiled, she looked like a crimson plum blossom blooming in the snow, and even the dimples at the corners of her eyes had a touch of playful charm.

“Wynter? What are you doing here?”

Nathaniel frowned in surprise when he saw her.

“Your Highness,” Wynter said calmly, setting down a chess piece. She stood up, gave a graceful bow, and explained, “I was playing chess with Mr. Rhys and got a bit distracted. I didn’t notice what was going on outside.”

Her voice was soft and relaxed, with a trace of languid ease.

Nathaniel glanced at the chessboard on the table. The black and white pieces were scattered in the middle of an intense game.

He looked back at Wynter, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “So you two were just playing chess this whole time?”

Wynter nodded, expression steady. “I haven’t left this room even once.”

Nathaniel said nothing, turning to Dustin, who had just entered. The doubt in his eyes didn’t fade.

“Mateo, Emmett—search every corner inside and out. Make sure no one’s hiding nearby,” Nathaniel ordered.

“Yes, sir!” they replied, then spread out with their men to search the entire courtyard.

They combed through everything—but found nothing. Not even the smallest clue.

“My Lord,” Dustin said casually, “if thieves have broken into the mansion, would you like my help?”

“No need, Brother Rhys. I can handle it myself,” Nathaniel grunted and left in frustration.

He still suspected Dustin, but with no evidence, he could only swallow the suspicion for now. That said, he wasn’t ruling anything out. This could still be part of a bigger scheme.

As soon as he left the courtyard, Nathaniel gave new orders. “Mateo, Emmett! Mobilize everyone. Search the entire mansion from top to bottom. I don’t care if you have to dig three feet into the ground—find that thief!”

“Yes, sir!” they responded, then left with their troops.

Nathaniel had already locked down the entire compound. There was no way the thief could’ve escaped so quickly. If they were still hiding, they’d be found sooner or later.

…

After the sound of footsteps faded, Dustin quietly shut the door. He turned to Wynter, a curious look in his eyes.

“Why did you help me?”

When he’d escaped from the secret room and returned, he’d found someone waiting in his room—her.

At first, he thought he’d been exposed. But something didn’t add up.

Wynter hadn’t said a word about what he’d done. Instead, she helped him—hiding his nightgown and mask inside a secret compartment of the chessboard.

Before he could ask why, Nathaniel barged in with his men.

And Wynter? She played her part flawlessly, like they were just two friends playing a quiet game of chess.

But Dustin still didn’t get it. She was clearly close to Nathaniel. Why risk covering for him?

“Mr. Rhys,” Wynter said, smiling as she returned to her seat, “don’t overthink it. Helping you is also helping myself.”

She took a slow sip of tea, then added, “In Nathaniel’s mansion, I may look like a guest, but in truth, I’m just a puppet under his control. I know how this ends if I keep following him—and it won’t be good. I want out.”

She paused, her voice low and honest.

“I know you’re not who you appear to be. Helping you today is my way of betting on a better future. I’m tired of being manipulated. I want freedom. And right now… you’re the only one who can give me that.”