Chapter-48
Natasha was enjoying her coffee with Duane at Java Joys.
"Do you still remember our bet, Natasha? Three days are up, and I'm still fit as a fiddle. Isn't it time for you to make good on your promise?" Duane asked with a smile as he sipped on his coffee.
"Why are you so impatient, Uncle Duane? We've got half a day left before time is up." Natasha said collectedly.
"Hah! You can't really be buying what that little swindler said, can you?" Duane found it ridiculous. "I've been practicing martial arts for years. How would I not know my own physical condition? Look at me! Does it look like there's anything wrong with me?"
"I don't know if you look like anything, but I trust Dustin's judgment." Natasha smiled.
"Hmph! I wonder how that little swindler brainwashed you. Why do you trust him so much?" Duane wondered aloud.
"Who knows? Maybe this is just how things were meant to be." The corners of Natasha's lips tugged upward as she thought of Dustin. "Anyway, half a day is left before time is up. If you're still fine before the sun sets, I'll make good on my promise!"
"Fine! Half a day it is, then! When the time is up, I'll show you what a liar that little swindler truly is!" With that, Duane left with his bodyguards in town.
Once they were out the door and got into their car, one of Duane's trusted bodyguards couldn't resist asking, "I don't get it, sir. Ms. Harmon is such an exceptional lady. Why would she fall for that little swindler?"
"She never plays by the book. When you find an opportunity, look into Rhys' background." Duane instructed.
"Yes, sir!"
The bodyguard started the car after answering him. As the car drove on, Duane leaned back to relax. Not a moment later, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He dismissed it initially, but as time went on, the pain became increasingly acute and unbearable.
It felt like a knife was stabbed into his chest and twisted around continuously. As tough as he was, the pain caused him to gasp.
"It can't be! Could it be that the little swindler was telling the truth all along?" he wondered. Duane clutched at his chest as he broke out in perspiration.
"What's wrong, sir?" His bodyguard was quick to notice his discomfort.
"Quick! Send me back to Java Joys immediately!" Finally, Duane could bear it no longer. He ordered his bodyguard to turn back. Flooring it the entire way, they were back at Java Joys in a flash.
"Uncle Duane, what's wrong? Do you need to use the washroom?" Natasha raised her brows at the sight of Duane, who was drenched in sweat.
"Who said anything about using the washroom? Can't you see that he's in pain?" His bodyguard huffed.
"Hmm? And who are you to run your mouth here?" The bodyguard immediately lowered his head as Natasha shot a glare in his direction. In a split second, his blood ran cold.
"Natasha! My chest hurts! Get that little swindler here to help me, pronto!" Duane said with agony written all over his face.
"Uncle Duane, it seems to me that Dustin was right. He said you'd get an attack within three days, and he wasn't lying. Doesn't seem appropriate that you're still addressing him as a little swindler, does it?" Natasha remarked impassively.
"Fine, fine! He isn't a swindler, I was wrong to call him that. Now can you get him here?" Duane gritted his teeth.
"Uncle Duane, you're the one asking him for a favor. It's not nice to make him come here, don't you think?" Natasha commented with a vague smile.
"You!" Duane was on the verge of rage, but in the end he chose to restrain himself. "Where is Dustin? I'll go to him
"Hang on, let me give him a call to see where he is." Natasha smiled as she dug around for her phone to make the call. Once she got Dustin's location, she announced, "Peaceful Medical Centre."
"Move it! Get to Peaceful Medical Centre right away!" Duane dared not dally any longer. He rushed to the medical center. What should have been a 30–minute journey took them only 15. They ran multiple red lights along the way.
"So you are here, you rascal!" Duane made his way in covered in sweat. He spotted Dustin, who was reading, the moment he entered. "Damn it! I'm suffering in such agony, and here you are, happily reading?" Duane cursed internally.
"Uncle Duane, why are you here?" Dustin was taken aback for a brief moment, but he quickly came around. From the looks of it, he must have suffered an attack.
"Tell me! I've been well all along. Why am I suddenly experiencing pain in my chest? Have you got something to do with this, you brat?" Duane questioned through clenched jaws. He had little faith in Dustin, to begin with. And now, he was really suffering within three days, just as Dustin had predicted. It was only natural that he would suspect that Dustin was behind everything.
"Uncle Duane, what are you implying? Are you saying that I did this to you?" Dustin's brows knitted together. showing his displeasure.
"Forget it! I don't care who did it! Just get over here and treat me!" Duane said impatiently. The pain in his chest was getting unbearable. Every second that passed was pure torture to him. His priority was to get relief.
"Why the hell are you still standing there? Get your ass here right this instant! If my boss' condition gets any worse, I'll make you regret the day you were born!" Duane's bodyguard, who was by his side, threatened.
Dustin's expression froze over when he heard those words. They were the ones who needed his help, but this was the kind of attitude they came with. Who did they think they were?
"If this is the attitude I'm getting, then you'd better find someone else to heal you. I'm not the person to help you," Dustin declared flatly.
"What did you just say?" Duane stopped for a moment before his expression turned malicious. "You bastard! I only came here because of Natashal Don't be so full of yourself!"
"Is that so?" Dustin scoffed. "Truth be told, I'm only addressing you as Uncle Duane out of respect toward Ms. Harmon. If not for her, you are nothing to me. Also, it would do you good to figure out how things stand right now. You are the one who came to me, asking for help. Not the other way around! Now, please get the hell out