Chapter-38
In a lounge at the Emerald building. Natasha greeted Dustin. "Mr. Rhys, you're not hurt, are you?" Her eyes scanned him over in worry.
"I'm fine." Dustin shook his head and continued, "I've dealt with the twins. What do you plan on doing next?"
"Those two were some of Edwin's most useful men. I think he will be very alarmed now that they are dead. We should take things slow lest we scare them away," Natasha said. She did not want to burn the bridge between her and Edwin. She just wanted to teach him a lesson so he would back down. This was the best option.
"Alright. It's up to you." Dustin didn't say more.
"Oh, yes, you should take cover for the time being. I received news that Trevor's brother, Travis, is back, and he's hunting for the murderer." Natasha's tone and expression turned grave. She would not pick battles with the military. Travis was a general in the warzone. Even she had to think twice before getting on the wrong side of him.
"Thanks for the advice. I know what to do." Dustin nodded.
The position of general was a very powerful one. To someone ordinary, he held the power of life and death. However, Dustin was not so afraid. Meanwhile, in the Spanner Villa. Travis stood by the coffin's side with his eyes closed. Outside the living room, members of the Spanner family knelt on the ground. Everyone had their heads down. Not a word was spoken, and the atmosphere was very tense.
Trevor had died out of the blue, the traitor Mason had disappeared, and the murderer was nowhere to be found. The entire Spanner family was reeling from the loss.
"General! We've got something!" At this moment, an adjutant walked in."Who is the murderer?" Travis opened his eyes with a bloodthirsty look.
"We're not sure who the murderer is. But, we've found someone related to him," the adjutant explained.
"Be more specific."
"According to our Investigation, two people went to the Drey Group before Trevor's demise. One was the Quine Group's president, Dahlia Nicholson. The other was Hunter Anderson, the president of Swinton's Business Commerce!"
"You mean they are associated with the murderer?"
"Yes! Dahlia, especially, is the key to everything. Edward was crippled because of her. She must know the murderer's identity!" the adjutant deduced.
"That's right! That bitch ruined me! She has someone good at fighting on her side. They must have killed my father!" Edward immediately became agitated.
"Gather the troops! Arrest her immediately!" Travis stood up and said coldly after ordering. "I don't care who the murderer is. I will destroy his whole family for killing someone from the Spanner family!"
That evening, the Nicholson family was celebrating Dahlia's newly launched company in a restaurant.
"Sis, I'd like to raise a toast to you. I wish you success in the future!" James grinned and raised his glass. The rest of them cheered and raised their glasses.
"Dahlia, you must be hiring since the company is newly established. I have a niece who's a fresh graduate. Can you arrange a job for her?"
"Huh! I almost forgot. I also have a cousin that's recently unemployed. He has eight years of experience in business management. Dahlia, you should hire him into management. He's sure to help you out!"
After a few drinks, some women started to chatter.
"Hiring is handled by Human Resources. I usually don't interfere. Of course, if any of you have a suitable candidate, they can always submit their resume," Dahlia responded professionally. The company was very against nepotism, and she would usually avoid matters like this. Of course, if it were unavoidable, she would arrange an idle job for them.
"Dahlia, listen to me. I heard that Dustin and Ms. Harmon are very close. If you won't help us, we'll ask Dustin!" one of them exclaimed.
"Hmph! Dustin is nothing but a gold digger. He's not even fit to be in my sister's shadow!" James snorted coldly.
"That's right! What can useless trash do for you? Do you really think he could speak up before Ms. Harmon? Stop daydreaming!" Florence also added in spite. Why would they mention that trash to dampen the mood?
"But I heard Dustin was invited onto the stage at today's opening ceremony," the person added.
"So what? He didn't even say a single word. It was so humiliating!"
"That's right! It may seem he's living a glorious life now, but he's nothing but a tool. Ms. Harmon will kick him aside when she gets tired of him!"
Everyone started nodding along. That was right. What did Ms. Harmon see in a person such as Dustin? In the end, he was nothing but a plaything. Once she got tired of him, she would throw him away. By then, Dustin would be worthless!
"Hard work requires effort. Any man who depends on a woman is useless. The real talented young man is Chris!" James finished and gave Chris a big thumbs up.
Chris's eyes twitched, and he seemed nervous. In the past, he would definitely scoff in contempt of Dustin. However, after witnessing his power today, he felt Dustin was not someone ordinary.
"Alright, let's stop talking about this and eat," Dahlia said, trying to change the topic. She didn't want to hear Dustin's and Natasha's names mentioned. Whenever she thought of the two laughings and talking, she would feel strangely panicked.
"Quick! Surround this place. No one can leave!"
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the door. Immediately, the door was kicked open with a loud bang. A group of heavily armed guards stormed in aggressively. The deadly aura radiating from them made everyone's blood run cold.
"Who is Dahlia Nicholson?" The leading soldier stepped out, his eyes as sharp as a knife.
Everyone was shocked when they watched the guards swarm in. They looked at each other in confusion for some time.
"Officer, what is the matter?" Florence braced herself and asked. She had never witnessed such an occasion as a civilian. Even if she did not do anything illegal, she still felt guilty.
"I'm asking, who is Dahlia Nicholson?" the officer spoke in a somber tone with a hostile look in his eyes.
"I am…" Dahlia slowly stood up and put on a brave face as she asked, "What can I do for you, officer?"
"According to our investigations, you are collaborating with the enemy. You are accused of being a spy planted by the West. Come with us immediately to assist in the investigation!" the officer announced.
"Collaborating with the enemy? A traitor?"
Everyone was shocked at his accusation. That didn't seem plausible. Dahlia was born and raised in Swinton, she wasn't mixed in any way. Even her ancestors were all ordinary farmers. How could she end up being a traitor?
"Officer, is there a mistake? My daughter is a model citizen. She pays her taxes every year and even donates to charity. How is it possible that she's a traitor?" Florence asked in shock.
"That's right! My sister is innocent. You shouldn't spew nonsense!" James slammed the table and stood up unhappily.
"We will find out whether this is a mistake after the investigation!" the guard answered coldly.
"Is there even a need? We can testify!"
"That's right! Dahlia is definitely not a traitor!" everyone spoke out in support. They were very clear about Dahlia's conduct.
It would be more plausible that she manipulated the market, but being a traitor to the country was not possible!
"I'm just following orders. Anyone who stops me will be deemed an accomplice!" The officer started to get impatient.
"You wouldn't dare!" James glared at him. "Do you know who we are? You wouldn't live to see daylight if you dared touch a single hair on my sister!"
"Huh! There is solid evidence of Dahlia Nicholson's collusion with the enemy country. Anyone who obstructs the arrest must be an accomplice. If that's the case, take them all away! Anyone who resists will be shot!"
At the officer's order, all the soldiers raised their guns one after another. The cold gun barrel aimed at the people in the room felt very menacing.
In an instant, everyone froze.
"You-you…" James wanted to say something but Dahlia quickly stopped him. "Everyone, keep calm. I believe there must be some misunderstanding. I'm sure they will let me go after the investigation."
The officer snorted coldly at these words. They were the ones who decided whether this was a misunderstanding or not!
"Take them away!" the officer ordered, and everyone was taken to the car. The car stopped at the gates of the Spanner Villa 20 minutes later.
"Officer, this doesn't look like a place for investigations," Florence asked with uncertainty.
"Stop talking nonsense! Go in!" The officer couldn't bother to say more and forced everyone inside the villa.
Everyone realized something was off once they walked into the courtyard. Two white flags were hung on each side of the door, and in the middle of the living room was a coffin. Trevor's portrait greeted them.
"Sir Spanner?" Everyone widened their eyes in confusion. As for Dahlia, she started to feel uneasy. She realized she must have walked into a trap.
"Is everyone here?" Just when everyone was left wondering, a burly Travis walked out imposingly. His sharp eyes and menacing stance felt so overbearing he couldn't breathe.
"Sir, everyone related is here," the officer replied.
"Okay." Travis nodded, his gaze swept through the crowd, and he continued, "My name is Travis Spanner. I'm from the western war zone with the position of a general. I believe some of you may have heard of me."
"Travis Spanner? General?"
Everyone's face fell at these words.
Chris was especially fearful. Others might not know it, but he knew very well how scary the Western warzone was. Only one who was experienced in battle and had strong military control could obtain this position. Even the Mighty Three had to show their respect in the face of this man. In this world, money and status were far inferior to power!
Rich people did not necessarily have power, but people with power must have money! This man before him was the prime example of someone with money and power. The point was his power came from the military. He could convict anyone of any crime in just a word! For example, treason!
"I don't want to waste time, so I'll just ask one question. You'll survive if you answer honestly. Otherwise, you'll be convicted for the crime of treason!" Travis threatened without beating around the bush.
"General, we will fully cooperate with the investigation!" Florence nodded, her legs trembling with fear. She had no choice. This man's demeanor was too domineering!
"Alright. Let me ask you, did my brother's death have anything to do with you?" Travis asked.
The crowd got anxious as soon as he said those words.
"No! It has nothing to do with us! We don't know anything!"
"Yes! We're all innocent!"
"General! You must be mistaken! We have nothing to do with Sir Spanner's death!"
Everyone shook their heads in fright. They would definitely lose their lives if they admitted to such a thing.
"Is that so?" Travis snickered coldly. He waved his hand without another word and ordered, "Edward, take a look at these people."
"I'm coming!" Edward slowly limped out of the room. As his gaze fixed on Dahlia, he immediately took on a lustful expression. However, his lust quickly turned to resentment. Now that he had become crippled, he wouldn't feel anything even before this exquisite woman.
'Since he couldn't get her, he would rather destroy her!
At this thought, Edward's face contorted into a nasty look.
"Uncle! It's her, Dahlia! My dad's death must have something to do with her!" Edward pointed at Dahlia, then turned around and pointed at Chris, shouting, "And him! He also has a grudge against me! He might be suspicious too!"