An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2720

Chapter 2720 

“President Nicholson, don’t just stare at it. This beef tripe is really fresh—try it.” Natasha finally seemed to notice Dahlia’s quietness.

Her tone was warm, but her smile held a subtle hint of triumph.

“Thank you.” Dahlia lifted her eyes, forced a polite smile, and picked up a piece of beef tripe. But her throat felt tight, making it hard to swallow anything at all.

Trying to ease the suffocating awkwardness—and desperate to ask about Dustin—she found a topic. “Dustin, I heard you were away for quite a while recently. Did you go handle something important?”

Before Dustin could answer, Natasha cut in proudly, as if declaring ownership over his schedule. “Yes! My Dustin is amazing. He went to take care of something very important—and he even saved the Emperor! Didn’t you, husband?”

As she said that, she plopped another beef ball onto Dustin’s plate with practiced ease.

Dahlia froze.

Saved the Emperor?

She always knew Dustin wasn’t ordinary, but she never imagined he had reached the level where his actions could influence the highest center of power in Dragonmarsh.

Her gaze toward Dustin grew increasingly complicated.

Dustin simply offered a quiet “Mm,” not bothering to elaborate, as if such world-shaking matters were nothing to talk about.

His calm detachment made the distance between them feel even wider.

The meal dragged on under this strange tension.

Natasha led the conversation effortlessly—sometimes acting intimately with Dustin, sometimes asking Dahlia about her recent life in a way that sounded like concern but felt more like subtle bragging.

Dustin stayed silent for the most part, responding only when Natasha spoke to him. Toward Dahlia, he maintained a polite but unmistakable distance.

The chatter around them never stopped.

“Did you see that? The woman in red keeps putting food in his bowl. She’s so attentive!”

“The woman in white looks upset… she barely said anything.”

“That guy is something else. Two gorgeous women at one table, and he’s still eating calmly!”

“Definitely a love triangle—look at the vibe!”

“If I could have dinner with even one of them, I’d give up ten years of my life!”

Their voices blended with the din, adding another layer to the already delicate situation.

Dahlia felt her composure slipping. She had come today hoping to talk to Dustin—to apologize, to resolve some of her tangled emotions—but Natasha’s presence was like an unbreakable barrier blocking every attempt.

And Dustin’s aloofness left her completely at a loss.

She watched Natasha lean close again, whispering something into Dustin’s ear. He tilted his head to listen, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile.

The scene was harmonious… dazzling… and painful.

Dahlia grabbed the plum juice beside her and took a long drink. The cold liquid slid down her throat, but it couldn’t cool the sudden surge of frustration in her chest.

Finally, when she felt she couldn’t endure any longer, she drew a steadying breath and set down her chopsticks.

“I’m done.”

She picked up a tissue and wiped her mouth with quiet elegance, trying to hold onto her last bit of dignity. “I’m going to the restroom.”

She needed to escape—just for a moment—to breathe, to calm the chaos swirling inside her.

As Dahlia walked away, a bit faster than usual, Natasha’s lips curled into a sly little smile, like a fox guarding its territory successfully.

She leaned close to Dustin and whispered smugly, “So? Did I do well? Did I upset her?”

Dustin shot her a helpless look and gently flicked her nose. “You…”

There was no anger in his voice—only indulgence.

Natasha giggled, pleased with her victory.

In the restroom, Dahlia splashed cold water onto her face. The pale reflection staring back at her, eyes slightly unfocused, stirred a mix of emotions she couldn’t fully name.

She kept telling herself it was over. Everything between them was in the past.

Dustin had moved on. He had someone new—someone who clearly made him happy.

Dahlia had no right to interfere.

No right to feel anything.

But then… why does it still hurt so much?

The image of Dustin leaping to protect them earlier, and the soft, patient smile he showed Natasha, replayed again and again in her mind.

She took several deep breaths, trying to steady herself. She fixed her makeup, put her cool, aloof mask back on, and stepped out of the restroom.

When she returned to the table, she found Natasha holding her phone up for Dustin to see, the two of them leaning close together, sharing a quiet laugh.

The sight pierced straight through Dahlia’s chest once again.