An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2544

Chapter 2544

“I was honestly surprised I managed to bring back the Dracan essences this time. I was already prepared to cut ties with Nathaniel,” Dustin said.

“Oh? What makes you say that?” Grace raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Dustin didn’t hold back. He explained everything that had happened—from Nathaniel’s sudden friendliness to Wynter’s rescue and unexpected surrender.

“What do you think Nathaniel’s up to? He used to be suspicious of me and nearly fought me, but the very next day, he completely changed—acting overly friendly and even gifting me one of the top beauties on the Beauty Ranking. It’s just… bizarre.” Dustin shook his head.

“In my view, this probably has something to do with Nathaniel’s mother, Jacqueline,” Grace said after a thoughtful pause. “Jacqueline is smart and calculating. She must have realized Nathaniel can’t match your strength right now. So instead of making you an enemy, she’s likely trying to win you over.

“Sending Wynter your way serves two purposes. First, it shows goodwill. Second, keeping her close could make her useful to Nathaniel later. But whether she’s truly a spy is hard to say. Nathaniel’s clever. If she were a spy, giving her to you so openly would be way too obvious, wouldn’t it?”

Dustin rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. “You’re right. But something still feels off. I’m going to stay cautious.”

“In that case,” Grace said with a sly smile, “why not just keep Wynter close? I can help arrange it. If she really has bad intentions, she won’t be able to cause any trouble. And let’s be honest—it’s not easy to land someone ranked on the Beauty Ranking. Miss this chance, and you’ll regret it.”

Dustin rolled his eyes. “Don’t mess with me. I’ll keep an eye on her for now. If she turns out to be harmless, I’ll take care of her properly. But enough about that—let’s get to business.”

Grace’s smile faded, her expression turning serious. “Now that you’ve gathered all five Dracan essences, you have a chance to break through. But I need to prepare a few things first.”

Merging the five essences into one and channeling them into Dustin’s body wasn’t going to be easy. She needed to set up a formation and align it with the right time and place.

“Need my help?” Dustin asked.

“No need,” Grace replied, shaking her head. “Just stay here and rest. Tomorrow night, come to Loxuia—fifty miles west of the city. I’ll have everything ready.”

“Alright. I’ll leave it to you, then,” Dustin said with a nod, ending the conversation.

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of gold and crimson.

In the city of Oakvale, inside a hidden stronghold of the Pantheon of Gods…

Zeus and Hera sat side by side, radiating power and authority without even speaking.

Zeus, tall and broad-shouldered, had long golden hair flowing in the breeze. His aura was intense, and his eagle-like gaze looked as if it could pierce through anything.

Hera, dressed in a stunning gown, had a face as beautiful as it was regal. Her noble and holy aura made her presence both graceful and commanding.

In front of them stood more than a dozen people—elite members of the Pantheon, all high-level warriors who had been operating in secret throughout Oakvale. They rarely gathered like this, but today was different.

They had one mission: kill Logan Rhys and strengthen the Pantheon’s influence.

“It’s been three days, and you still haven’t found him?!”

Zeus’s cold voice boomed from his makeshift throne. A crushing force swept through the room like a tidal wave.

Everyone felt the weight of it instantly—like a mountain bearing down on their shoulders. Their legs trembled, and sweat beaded on their foreheads.

“Lord Zeus, we’ve deployed all our people. We’re close—we’ll find him soon!” a massive man, over two meters tall, answered with his head bowed.

Though he looked like a beast, fierce and powerful, he was utterly subdued in front of Zeus and Hera—like a kitten.

“You have one more day. If you don’t find Logan by then, I’ll start sacrificing one of you to the gods every day!” Zeus roared.

Panic flashed across the faces of the gathered warriors. They didn’t doubt his words. If they failed, death was certain.

“Lord Zeus! Lady Hera! We’ve got news!”

A blonde woman in a tight leather outfit hurried into the hall.

“Hmm?”

Zeus and Hera looked up in unison. “Did you find Logan?”

“My spies have been tracking him. He’s been staying with Nathaniel, the third prince of Dragonmarsh, for the past two days. It looks like he’s planning to align with the kingdom,” the woman reported.

“Hah! Does he really think he’ll be safe with Nathaniel? What a joke!” Zeus sneered.

If Logan had taken refuge in the palace under the protection of that old eunuch, Zeus might have hesitated. But Nathaniel? He wasn’t even worth worrying about.

“Lead the way,” Hera ordered.

A deadly aura erupted from her.