An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2540

Chapter 2540

“I see…”

Dustin listened silently, eyes fixed on the chessboard, then gave a small nod.
“You helped me tonight, so I owe you one. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

He had always been the kind of person who repaid kindness with kindness.

Wynter hadn’t just stayed quiet—she covered for him. That kind of favor couldn’t go unanswered.

“Mr. Rhys, you’re a man of loyalty and principle. I truly admire that.” Wynter smiled, her tone warm, with a hint of charm.

“But I have to ask—why did you approach me? Did you already suspect something?”

“Everyone who joins Nathaniel is chasing power, fame, or profit. But you stood out right away, Mr. Rhys.”

Wynter smiled again.
“You entered the mansion and offered up the Dracan essences, but you didn’t ask for power, fame—or even women. That told me you had other goals. Of course, it was just a hunch. Tonight was actually intentional. I came to learn chess from you, but you weren’t in the courtyard. It wasn’t until I heard the commotion that I understood what you were really doing.”

“Miss Wynter, you’re sharp. I see you in a whole new light now,” Dustin said, nodding.

At first, he thought she was just a pretty face. Clearly, he’d underestimated her.

“Compared to you, Mr. Rhys, it’s nothing. But still, you should be careful. Nathaniel won’t let this slide so easily,” she warned.

“As long as there’s no proof, he can’t touch me,” Dustin replied calmly.

Given his strength, even if Nathaniel wanted to turn on him, he’d have to think twice.

Besides, would someone really burn a bridge over a suspicion with no evidence?

“As long as you’re aware, that’s all that matters. It’s getting late—I’ll take my leave now.” Wynter smiled.

She bowed slightly, then turned and walked away.

The sky gradually brightened, and the morning sun rose slowly.

At that moment, Nathaniel stood in the middle of the courtyard, staring at the empty hallway, his brow tightly furrowed.

Behind him, Mateo and Emmett were reporting.

“Your Highness, we’ve brought in horses and searched the mansion three times. We even checked the pond—but we didn’t find anyone.”

“Is it possible the thief already escaped?”

Mateo wiped the sweat from his forehead, his voice cautious.

The moment he spoke, Nathaniel spun around, eyes flashing coldly.
“No! Before the secret room was destroyed, I ordered the entire mansion sealed off. Even if the thief had wings, they couldn’t have flown out!”

He gripped the jade pendant at his waist—a gift from the emperor. Now it felt like a piece of burning iron in his hand.

Mateo saw this and quickly bowed.
“You’re absolutely right, Your Highness. The thief must still be hiding somewhere. I’ll search again right away!”

He immediately gathered the exhausted guards and headed toward a remote storage shed.

Even though he knew continuing the search was probably pointless—if the thief could sneak in, he could sneak out just as easily—he didn’t dare argue. Nathaniel was furious, and all Mateo could do now was obey.

Nathaniel glanced at the rising sun, then walked toward the secret chamber, his face clouded with anger.

He knew they wouldn’t catch the thief any time soon. What worried him more was how much of the treasure had been lost.

Especially the ones in the vault. If anything was stolen or damaged, it would hit him where it hurt most.

When he arrived at the ruined secret room, a team of people was still hard at work.

Afraid of damaging any valuables, they were digging carefully with shovels, removing the dirt slowly and by hand.

After more than a hundred paces and an entire night of exhausting labor, the outline of the chamber’s ceiling had finally started to appear.

It would take at least half a day more to fully excavate the room.

Nathaniel stood off to the side, staring at the deepening pit. His fists were clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.

Minute by minute, time passed—until finally, at noon, the entrance to the secret room was revealed.

“Your Highness! We found it!” someone shouted.

Nathaniel took a deep breath, then stepped inside without hesitation, ignoring the risk of collapse.

A wave of damp, dusty air hit him. He raised a torch and looked around, his face darkening with each step.

The treasures that had once been neatly arranged were now scattered and broken.

Without a second glance, he rushed toward the treasury.

The steel vault door had been bent and twisted, and part of the room had collapsed. A massive hole gaped in the ceiling, as if something had smashed its way through.

Without a thought for the dirt or debris, Nathaniel forced his way in through the damaged steel door.

But the moment he saw what was inside, his vision went black—and he nearly collapsed.

The jade box holding the Dracan essences was open. The two essences were gone.

More than half of the rare treasures were either missing or destroyed.

“No… no, this can’t be happening…”

“My treasure… my treasure!”

Overwhelmed by the loss, Nathaniel cried out and collapsed to the ground—unconscious.