Chapter 69: Entry of Sir Anderson( Duane)
Chapter-69
When Sir Anderson showed up, everyone thought Dustin was done for. To their surprise, nothing dramatic happened when Sir Anderson saw Dustin. Instead, they chatted amicably like they were old friends.
The Cobra was appalled by this turn of events. Even Florence and the others were stunned.
"This can't be for real, right? Could he really know Sir Anderson?"
"My goodness, who is that man? How could he and Sir Anderson be talking like buddies?"
The crowd gossiped in hushed voices, obviously taken aback.
*S–Sir Anderson–you know him?" The Cobra gulped. He was slightly panicked and at a loss.
'Dustin is Natasha's friend. What gave you the nerve to offend him?" Duane's expression grew colder by the second.
"Huh? Ms. Harmon's friend?" The Cobra got the fright of his life.
Natasha Harmon wasn't just one of Swinton's big guns, she had the support of Millburg's aristocrats. She was as prominent a figure as Sir Anderson himself. What's more, Natasha was a very protective person. Anyone who dared to offend her friends was doomed to face ruthless revenge!
"Sir Anderson, I" the Cobra stuttered.
"Pack it up and stop being a baby. Apologize to Dustin, and whatever happened will be forgotten." Duane waved his hand.
"Okay, okay…" The Cobra nodded repeatedly and bowed to Dustin. "Mr. Rhys, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't know who you were and offended you. I hope you'll let this slide and forgive me this once."
"You're exaggerating. As long as you won't take revenge," said Dustin plainly.
"I wouldn't dare…" The Cobra kept wiping away his sweat as he said, "From now on, you and your friends will be treated as our VIPs. Everything will be on the house!"
His humble response shocked the crowd. Who would have thought that the Cobra, who was so villainous just a moment before, would apologize so humbly the next?
"Dustin, let's have a chat. This way." Duane wasn't joking. He stretched out a hand in invitation and led the way to the office on the second floor.
The moment they left, the entire bar erupted!
*I… I wasn't just seeing things, was I? Did that fool just talk to Sir Anderson like the best of pals?" James asked in disbelief.
After all, Sir Anderson was the Cobra's backer. He could turn Swinton upside down with a lift of his finger.
"If I'm guessing right, Ms. Harmon must have something to do with their acquaintance," Dahlia suggested, her senses returning quickly.
She had heard Sir Anderson mention Natasha Harmon. It was undeniable that he had spared Dustin for the sake of the Harmon family's reputation.
"You must be right! It has to be! How else can a small fry like him know such a big shot?" James nodded fervently.
"Hmph! I thought he had some real potential, but it turns out that he was just putting on a show by relying on someone else's influence!" Florence huffed, displeased.
"A man should have a spine. How can a man always count on a woman to back him up?" Dahlia shook her head in disappointment. Climbing the ranks by kissing up to someone looked grand on the surface, but it was just a quick taste of heaven. It would never last long.
"What a lucky bastard!" Matt's expression was stormy, and his gaze stung with disdain. It was already shameful enough getting slapped by the Cobra earlier, but now, Dustin's glory had made him look even more pathetic in comparison. He could not accept that a good–for–nothing like Dustin had outshone him! Meanwhile, in the office on the second floor, Dustin sat across from Duane while the Cobra served them.
"Duane, let's not beat around the bush, shall we?" Dustin sipped his tea and said, "You said you've found the Panax root. Where is it?"
"Since you're so anxious, I won't tease you any longer." Duane smiled and clapped his hands.
A bodyguard entered the room carrying a wooden box. Placing the box on the table between him and Dustin, Duane opened it slowly. A dark yellow root no bigger than a palm sat inside. It was a Panax root with unusually long roots.
*This really is good stuff!" Dustin exclaimed upon examining the root closely. He looked delighted.
A 500–year–old Panax root was an extremely rare treasure! Now that he had another herb, he was another step closer to his goal!
"How is it, Dustin? Are you satisfied?" Duane smiled expectantly.
"Of course, I'm satisfied. Thank you so much." Dustin smiled, reaching out to take the root.
Suddenly, the lid of the box snapped shut.
"Dustin, what's the hurry? Let's talk more," Duane asserted. One hand remained wrapped around the box. Evidently, he was not planning on giving its contents to Dustin that easily.
"Duane, what's this about?" Dustin narrowed his eyes.
"I'm very interested in your Gemiphen formula. Can you sell it to me?' Duane smiled faintly.
"Duane, this wasn't what we agreed on. As per our agreement, I cure your ailment, and you give me a 500–year–old Panax root in return," Dustin reminded him.
"Are you sure you remember correctly? Yes, you cured me, but I gave you the Hillview Hotel in return. As for the Panax root, you'll have to exchange it for your Gemiphen formula!"
"You sound like you want to go back on your word," Dustin warned, his expression gradually growing colder. He had thought that Duane had come to give him the Panax root, but to his surprise, Duane had been eyeing his Gemiphen formula all along.
"Dustin, don't put it that way. We just want mutual benefits. If you're unsatisfied, I can give you another thirty million in cash!" Duane stuck out three fingers.
"I've said this before. My Gemiphen formula is not for sale. You can only give me herbs in exchange for it," stressed Dustin.
"Haha… am I not doing an exchange with you right now?" Duane hinted, tapping on the box between them.
"Duane, if people find out you're not a man of your word, won't you become a laughing stock?" Dustin's expression was as cold as ice.
If he negotiated politely, Dustin didn't mind selling him two packets of Gemiphen. However, Duane's way of obtaining the formula was foolish.
*So what if people find out? Who would believe you?" Duane challenged. His nervous smile did not reach his eyes.
The Gemiphen formula was priceless. If he could get his hands on it, he could take over the entire Anderson family!
"Duane, for Ms. Harmon's sake, I won't burn bridges between us. So now, you'd best give me the Panax root." Dustin said calmly, suppressing his anger.
"And what if I don't?" Duane retorted.
"Then don't blame me for snatching it away." Dustin was very blunt.
"Snatch? Haha. If you can take this box from me, I'll let you have it for free!" Duane laughed. He had trained in martial arts for years and had long since reached the highest level of mastery. How dare an amateur like Dustin snatch something out of the hands of a master like him?
"Okay! You said it yourself!" Dustin wasted no time and reached for the wooden box.
Duane was fully prepared. His hand bent into a claw and grabbed Dustin's forcefully. The battle had begun.
Duane was still smiling confidently at the start of the battle.
But it was not long before he noticed something was very wrong. Dustin was much stronger than he had expected. He could feel terrifying surges of energy rushing at him like waves in the ocean. They made the bones in his hand tremble. They would break any minute!
Duane's expression darkened, and he couldn't take it anymore. He threw a hard punch at Dustin, trying to make him fall back. However, Dustin did not dodge and faced it head–on instead.
Their fists collided, and Duane's chair was smashed into pieces! The force of the punch shoved Duane backward until he hit the wall to catch his balance.
Even so, Dustin remained seated calmly. They both knew who was more powerful!
"Damn! I never knew you had tricks up your sleeve. I underestimated you!" Duane's eyes narrowed as a complex mix of expressions clouded his face. With how young Dustin was, Duane had never expected him to be so powerful. Considering how young he was, he never expected Dustin to be so powerful. Just one punch had thrown him off his feet.
Although strength couldn't completely represent his fighting skills, it was enough to prove his physical strength.
"Thanks for the Panax root, Duane." Dustin didn't waste any time. He picked up the box and got up to leave.
Duane was already on his blacklist for being untrustworthy. This was the last time they would do business together.
*Sir Anderson, do you want me to send some men after him to get it back?" asked the Cobra hesitantly.
He could tell that Duane and Dustin weren't actually friends. If so, he had nothing to fear anymore.
"He is quite strong. I'm afraid your men won't be able to take him on." Duane cautiously moved his numb arm.
"Are… are you going to let him go just like that?" The Cobra was a little disgruntled. After losing face earlier, he was eager to redeem it.
"Let him go? Hmph. Not so easily!"
Duane laughed coldly. "I'll get my hands on the Gemiphen formula. Just wait and see. I have many ways to make him surrender to me!"
Meanwhile, outside the bar, Lyra arrived with the company's bodyguards. When she saw that Dahlia and the others were safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ms. Nicholson, is everything resolved?"
"I guess you could say that." Dahlia nodded.
"I heard this is the Cobra's turf and thought there might be trouble. I didn't think it would be so easy. I'm sure Mr. Laney is to thank for this?" Lyra smiled.
The suggestion caused Matt's expression to sour immediately. This woman just had to annoy him!
"Hmm? Why is he here?" Lyra wondered as she spotted Dustin leaving the bar.
He questioned, "What are you guys still doing here? Waiting for someone to take revenge on you? I don't have the energy to save you again." He spoke with a calm voice, grasping the wooden box in his hand.
"Who needs saving? You're so nosy!" Florence snapped rudely.
"Hpmh! Stop showing off. If it wasn't for Ms. Harmon, could you have walked out of there alive?" James mocked brashly.
"That's enough!" Dahlia waved her hands to stop their bickering. She turned to Dustin and said, "Dustin, thanks for saving us, but I don't condone your behavior."
"Oh? Do you have any advice, Ms. Nicholson?" Dustin cocked an eyebrow.
"You're too impulsive! You don't think before you act. Did you ever consider the consequences your actions might bring?" Dahlia asked.
"I don't know what consequences my actions would have caused, but I'm certain that your brother's hands would have been chopped off," Dustin retorted matter–of–factly.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone