An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2548

Chapter 2548  – The moonlight on this chilly autumn night was hidden behind thick clouds.

Back at the mansion, Nathaniel sat deep in thought, secretly plotting how to toss the two ticking time bombs—Zeus and Hera—into the hands of his second brother, Matthias.

He chose Matthias over Tristan because Matthias held the most power. With a strong military background and a host of elite warriors under his command, he was the most qualified to face off against the God Kings of the Pantheon.

The ideal outcome? Both sides tear each other apart, and Nathaniel walks away with the spoils.

“Someone come!”

After mulling it over for a while, Nathaniel suddenly stood up and said calmly, “Summon Judah, Santino, and Corbin. Have them meet me in the study in half an hour.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The guard responded and rushed out.

An hour later, the three men Nathaniel had summoned arrived one after another.

These were his top strategists and trusted aides—smart, capable, and essential to his plans.

“We greet Your Highness!”

They stepped into the room and bowed respectfully.

“Please, take a seat,” Nathaniel said, raising his hand. “Let’s skip the formalities. The reason I called you here is very serious.”

He didn’t hold anything back. Nathaniel laid everything on the table—from his mother Jacqueline’s plan to redirect the crisis to Matthias, down to his own thoughts on the strategy.

Once he finished, the room fell into a tense silence.

“Your Highness, the plan is sound, but risky,” Judah said solemnly, twirling his snow-white beard. “If anything goes wrong, the consequences could be severe.”

“No risk, no reward,” Nathaniel replied with steady conviction. The candlelight danced on his face, casting eerie shadows. “The God Kings may be dangerous, but in the right hands, they’re as deadly as any weapon. And I intend to use that weapon—to shatter everything Matthias has built.”

Santino, dressed in his official robes, visibly tensed. “But Your Highness, if Zeus or Hera discovers you’re manipulating them, it could backfire terribly…”

“That’s why it has to be flawless,” Nathaniel cut in. “Here’s what I’ve planned: we lure Zeus and Hera to Zuanlo. Then, we unleash three teams of assassins.”

He paused, eyes gleaming. “The first team poses as drunken swordsmen. They’ll sit nearby and speak loudly—half-whispering, half-boasting—about a ‘mysterious injured person hidden in the palace’s secret chamber.’ Just loud enough for the next table to overhear.

The second team dresses like Matthias’s men. After a few drinks, they get into a scuffle and blurt out Dustin’s name—like it’s a slip during a heated argument.

The third team? Their job is to stir chaos—overturn tables, bump into guests, break jars. Just enough confusion to trigger Zeus and Hera’s instincts to act.”

“Brilliant!” Corbin’s eyes lit up. “With that many angles, even fiction starts to feel real!”

“But, Your Highness,” Judah asked, raising an eyebrow. “Would rumors and drunken talk really convince them?”

Nathaniel smirked. He walked over to the wall, pressed a hidden compartment, and pulled out a jade plaque. The word ‘Guang’ was carved into it—distinctly the emblem of Matthias’s trusted guards.

The polished stone gleamed ominously in the candlelight.

“This badge is proof enough. With this in our hands, Matthias won’t be able to deny a thing.”

He tossed it to Corbin and added, “Tomorrow night, you’ll lead the operation. Our death squad will carry that badge, along with forged letters—ones that mention secret dealings between Dustin and Matthias. Make sure the documents use Matthias’s personal wax seal.”

“Understood!” Corbin immediately bowed.

Nathaniel looked toward Judah and Santino. “You two prepare the cover-up. Every detail must hold up under scrutiny. The more convincing the lie, the more believable it becomes.”

“Understood,” they both said in unison.

They knew they were walking a fine line. But at this point, there was no turning back.

If they played their cards right, they could use the Pantheon’s fury like a blade—cutting down Matthias and clearing a path for Nathaniel’s rise.

Should Nathaniel ascend to the throne, their loyalty would be rewarded with glory and power.

The gamble was dangerous, yes.

But the potential reward?

Absolutely worth it.

Even if the plan failed, they’d still have a way out.

For now, the power was in their hands.