"He should have left long ago. He's only going to bring us trouble if he
stays here," Dustin said frostily.
"Before your father left, he asked me to talk you into returning to the R
hys family. I refused." Gregory sat down on a chair and poured himself a
cup of tea.
"I told him that the Rhys household is a dangerous place to be in. I'd mu
ch rather see you do what you love and live your best life out here than
be constantly caught in power struggles and deceitful manipulations back
there. Surprisingly, he agreed. He told me that all he wants is for you t
o be happy, and that the Rhys family will always be there to back you up.
His only wish is for you to make time to go back and visit your mother's
grave to pay her respect."
Dustin stood there, frozen in place, when he heard that. He felt a prick
on his chest, right above his heart. He reached up to find that it was th
e crystal necklace that his mother had left him.
Taking in a deep breath, he said, "I'll go back. But now's not the time.
The day the murderer pays with his life will be the day I return!"
Because how could he visit his mother's grave now knowing that her death
has yet to be avenged?
"Alright then, I've said all that's left to be said. You make your own de
cision." Then Gregory downed the cup of tea and went upstairs, ready to g
o back to bed again. As for Dustin, he sat on a chair and started to pond
er over his great vengeance scheme.
"What's on your mind?" Dahlia walked in and waved a hand in front of Dust
in's face.
"Hey, when did you come in?" Dustin was surprised to see her.
"You didn't even see me coming in? What are you so lost in thought over?
Is it me you're thinking about, or is it Natasha that's occupying your th
oughts?" Dahlia probed inquisitively.
"Neither." Dustin shook his head. That was a trick question, and he knew
better than to answer it. "Oh? Is there someone else that you've got your
mind on?" Dahlia asked, looking at him questioningly.
"Of course not!" Dustin was amused by Dahlia's question.
Then, he quickly changed the topic. "Did you come here so early in the mo
rning to ask me about this?"
"Hah! Do you think I have nothing better to do with my time?" Dahlia roll
ed her eyes at him. "I've come to share some good news! The Nicholson fam
ily in Glenstead has finally accepted our family again! We'll be reunifie
d. From now on, we'll be scions of a prestigious family!"
"Oh? Is that so? Well, congratulations!" Dustin chuckled.
"That's not all!" Dahlia smiled proudly. "Not only have we been accepted
to return, but the patriarch of the family, Regulus Nicholson, has also l
isted me as a potential successor! I'll stand a chance of competing again
st the rest of his offspring as the future head of the household!"
"So what you mean, is that as long as you perform well, you stand a chanc
e of becoming the
head of a prominent family?" Dustin was quick to catch on.
"Precisely!" Dahlia snapped her fingers and giggled excitedly. "So many p
eople dream about being listed as potential successors of the family. I n
ever would have guessed that the patriarch would choose me! What a pleasa
nt surprise!"
Truth be told, she hadn't held high hopes of being reunited with the Nich
olson family of Glenstead. She knew that even if she were to return to th
e prestigious family, she would not be properly recognized or appreciated
as she wasn't part of the direct lineage.
But things were different now. To be selected as a potential successor wa
s a big deal.. It put her at a different standing and status from all the
other descendants who weren't on the list. This was her one chance to ta
ke control of her destiny and break free from the oppression of her famil
y. All she needed to do was prove her worth and defeat her competitors, a
nd she'd be able to emerge as a successor and rise above them all.
"Congratulations! Seems like the patriarch is placing great importance on
your family!" Dustin
smiled.
"Well, of course!" Dahlia lifted her chin confidently. "Now that the chan
ce presents itself, you better butter me up nice and well or you'll be so
rry you missed the opportunity to do so when I become the successor!"