An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2717

Chapter 2717

After finishing with the men’s clothing, Natasha still wasn’t satisfied. She grabbed Dustin’s hand and pulled him into the Chanel boutique next door, excited to pick out a few new bags for herself.

While Natasha was absorbed in browsing, a young man swaggered over. He wore a garishly patterned shirt, a thick gold chain, and an expression full of self-importance.

“Beautiful lady, you have great taste. That bag just arrived—it’s a limited edition. It suits you perfectly,” he said with a greasy smile.

His eyes roamed over Natasha with open greed, completely disregarding Dustin standing beside her.

Natasha didn’t even look up. She continued examining the handbag in her hand as if he didn’t exist.

But the rich kid kept going, convinced he was being charming. “Gorgeous, let’s be friends. Pick anything you like today—it’s on me.”

As he spoke, he shot Dustin a smug, taunting glance, showing off.

Natasha’s expression instantly soured. She snapped coldly, “Get lost.”

The rich kid’s smile stiffened. He was a well-known young master in this area, and no woman had ever dared talk to him like that.

His face darkened. “Miss, don’t be so rude. Do you even know who I am? How dare you talk to me like that?”

Before Natasha could answer, Dustin stepped forward, placing her behind him with a protective gesture. With a faint, almost amused smile, he asked, “Oh? Then who are you? Go on. Tell me.”

Seeing Dustin speak, the rich kid puffed up even more. He lifted his chin, looking down at Dustin with disdain.

“Hmph! Listen carefully. My dad is the chairman of one of the biggest companies in this city! If you know what’s good for you, get out of here. Otherwise, I can make you disappear with one word.”

Natasha and Dustin exchanged a look—one filled with the same helpless resignation.

These spoiled rich kids really were everywhere.

Persistent and annoying—just like flies.

“What’s all the noise about?”

A clear, elegant female voice drifted in from the entrance.

Everyone turned.

A woman walked in wearing a soft lavender dress. Her beauty was striking, her bearing cold and refined. In terms of looks, she was easily on par with Natasha—but their energies were completely different. Natasha was fiery, vibrant; this woman was icy and untouchable.

The moment he saw her, the rich kid’s arrogance evaporated. He rushed over eagerly, plastering on a flattering smile.

“Sister Dahlia! Why are you here? It’s nothing serious—I just ran into some jerk…”

Behind Dustin, Natasha narrowed her eyes the moment she saw the woman. She muttered under her breath, annoyed:

“You’ve got to be kidding me… of all people to run into.”

Dustin looked at her too, his gaze flickering in mild surprise.

What a small world.

But after that brief moment, he quickly composed himself.

Truthfully, he no longer felt anything when he saw his ex-wife. Once, they had shared a marriage. Once, there had been love, resentment, hurt—but time had washed all of that away. What remained was barely more than a faint shadow.

To him now, Dahlia was nothing more than another stranger in a crowded mall.

“How… how is it him?”

Dahlia’s irritation at the rich kid vanished the instant her gaze landed on Dustin. She froze in place.

In this vast city, after all their silence and distance… they still crossed paths here, in the middle of a luxury boutique.

Even Dahlia, with her famously calm and analytical mind, felt the faint tremor of fate.

Her expression shifted rapidly—shock, confusion, mixed with an emotion she didn’t dare acknowledge.

As she looked at Dustin—still handsome, but now carrying a mature steadiness—memories she had buried long ago surged up unbidden.

Their broken marriage.
Her own harsh, decisive actions.
The hurt she caused him.

A wave of guilt washed over her like a cold tide.

Part of her wanted to walk over and apologize—to finally say the words she never had the courage to say back then.

But the words lodged in her throat.

Now, Dahlia was a prominent figure in the royal Mosey family—admired, respected, watched by countless eyes.

Identity. Status. Pride.
All of them formed invisible shackles holding her back.

And then she noticed Natasha—equally beautiful, confident, and clearly close to Dustin.

A subtle, bittersweet ache spread through her chest.

“You’re still up to your old tricks,” Natasha muttered, eyes narrowing.

Of all people, Natasha understood this feeling best. When you truly love someone, you notice the tiniest lingering looks from anyone else.

And this wasn’t just any woman.

This was Dustin’s ex-wife. A woman with whom he shared a painful history.

Seeing Dahlia stand frozen, staring at Dustin with that complicated, unreadable expression—

Natasha’s instincts screamed.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward, slipping half a body’s width in front of Dustin, subtly but firmly asserting her place by his side.