An Understated Dominance by Marina Chapter 10

An Understated Dominance by Marina Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Ms. Nicholson, nice to meet you. How can I help you?” Dustin’s eyes widened when he saw Dahlia walking toward him, but his gaze turned cold in a moment. 

“What a coincidence seeing you here.”

Dahlia choked back the speech she had prepared to explain herself and greeted Dustin stiffly. She did not believe it when her mother told her of Dustin’s new love interest. Who would have thought that it was true? Although they were divorced, Dahlia felt a little uncomfortable seeing her ex-husband being with another woman. There was an awkward and uneasy feeling in her heart.

“Mr. Rhys, is she a friend of yours?”

Natasha sized Dahlia up. According to her female intuition, she could detect a hint of hostility from this woman standing before them.

“She’s my ex-wife,” Dustin replied.

“Really?” Natasha raised her eyebrows and gave Dahlia a charming smile. “Hi, I’m Natasha Harmon. Nice to meet you.”

She stretched out her hand to shake Dahlia’s. Although her actions seemed friendly enough, the atmosphere around her was slightly intimidating.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Harmon,” Dahlia answered politely.

Although she was usually very self-assured, she had to admit that the woman before her was stunning. Natasha was on par with her in looks, height, and conduct. Furthermore, Natasha’s figure was much more voluptuous than hers. Any man would be enamored by her!

“Dustin, when did you befriend Ms. Harmon? You’ve never introduced me!” Dahlia couldn’t help but ask.

“Were you ever interested in my friends?” Dustin replied sarcastically.

His sharp words rendered Dahlia speechless. She had never expected Dustin to be so direct. The atmosphere around the three of them grew tense.

“Dustin, can I have a word with you?” Dahlia tried after a few seconds of silence.

“About what?” Dustin retorted with a poker face.

“It’s about something private, let’s go elsewhere.” Dahlia turned to find a quiet corner but she realized Dustin didn’t move an inch. Her brows furrowed with frustration.

“Let’s talk about it here and now. I don’t want another misunderstanding,” Dustin insisted.

“Must you be so difficult?” Dahlia frowned.

She was trying to make peace with him, but Dustin seemed to not be having any of it. He was being mean and talking down to her in a disagreeable manner.

“Ms. Nicholson, we are already divorced. Since your status is of such a high rank, it is better for us to not be seen together. I would only embarrass you.” Dustin scoffed.

“I don’t understand. Why are you being such a jerk?” Dahlia was getting annoyed.

“Are you seriously asking me?” Dustin stared back at her. “Wasn’t this your choice?”

“I…” Dahlia couldn’t say a word in retaliation. Yes, she did initiate the divorce. However, there was no need to keep bringing up the past.

Despite her struggle to calm herself down, Dahlia could feel resentment rising within her. Seeing Dustin with another woman triggered her frustration and anger. These feelings became more and more intense as their fight escalated.

“Dustin, I know you despise me. Nevertheless, I don’t think I’ve made a mistake. Besides, I’ve given you many chances to redeem yourself!”

Dahlia’s tone turned icy. It was not easy for her to reconcile with others, given her prideful nature. Moreover, Dustin threw it in her face.

“So you mean that I’m still in the wrong?” Dustin could only laugh.

“I’m not in the mood to argue with you as we are irrelevant now. Having said that, you shouldn’t be flaunting your new partner in front of me if you have any respect for me as your ex-wife!” Dahlia said gravely.

“Respect?” Dustin laughed harder. “How about Chris, then? Even before we got divorced, you were already having an affair with him. How could you even demand respect?”

“Regardless of whether you believe me, I’m innocent and my conscience is clear,” Dahlia retorted, her head held high.

“Is that so?” Dustin smirked and pointed at Chris, who was walking toward them. “I would like to have a look at that clear conscience of yours!”

Both of them had been fooling around in bed. Now, they were even at the charity dinner together.

What a joke for her to claim that she was innocent! Dahlia frowned slightly, but she did not explain herself. First, there was nothing to explain. Second, Dustin wouldn’t believe her anyway.

“Dahlia, we were having a conversation just now. Why did you slip away?” Chris said to her with a smile.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Natasha. Chris was astounded when he saw her alluring beauty. Desire burned in his eyes as his breathing quickened.

What a gorgeous woman! He had never seen such an extraordinary lady in his life. If Dahlia was like water, Natasha was like a burning flame. She could arouse the desires of men with her sultry gaze, without even moving a muscle. Natasha was a natural seductress!

Sneaking a few glances at Natasha, he quickly diverted his gaze. He knew that it was unbecoming of a man to make his intentions known so early, especially in the presence of such dazzling women. Making a first good impression was extremely important.

“Dustin, what a surprise to see you!” Chris turned to Dustin with a frown.

Chris was green with envy when he saw Natasha being so friendly to Dustin. How could this punk be surrounded by hotties all the time? After getting a divorce from Dahlia, here he was with another attractive woman on his arm. Was he blessed with lady luck?

“Why would it be a surprise to see me?” Dustin retorted.

“I’ve heard from Dahlia that you were just an errand boy at the Quine Group. With your status, you have no right to enter the Mirage. Were you planning to sneak in?” Chris narrowed his eyes.

“Don’t you worry about it, it’s none of your business,” Dustin said calmly.

“I must have guessed correctly.” Chris smirked and turned to Natasha. “Don’t be deceived by him, gorgeous. Dustin is not some rich scion but a lowly pauper. He has no right to be breathing the same air as you, gorgeous.”

In Chris’s mind, Dustin must have lied to the beautiful lady. Why would she be together with a useless guy like him otherwise?

“What’s wrong with that? It’s fine as long as I like him!” Natasha chuckled.

“Gorgeous, with your beauty and looks, you can definitely marry into a wealthy family. Why would you choose to live a difficult life with him?” Chris replied, puzzled.

“Wealth means very little to me. In my eyes, Dustin is an outstanding man.” Natasha slipped her arm into Dustin’s naturally.

“Outstanding?” Chris laughed mockingly. “He doesn’t have wealth, fame, or power. How could he be regarded as outstanding?”

“At the very least, he is more handsome than you.” Natasha snapped.

“What’s the use of a handsome face? In the end, he is just a boy toy!” Chris’s expression darkened. “I have warned you, Dustin is a conman. You are going to regret it once he takes advantage of your wealth and body!”

“Take advantage of me?” Natasha laughed merrily. “I do hope that he will take advantage of me, but it seems that he isn’t interested.”

Her bold words made Dahlia and Chris frown in disapproval. Even Dustin couldn’t take it any longer. This woman was really a shameless flirt.

An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Score 9.9
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Artist: Released: Sep 4, 2023 Native Language: English

An Understated Dominance - Dahlia Nicholson and Dustin Rhys had been married for three years. After Dahlia’s meteoric rise to success, she abandons the useless dead weight that’s Dustin, proposing divorce. Unbeknownst to her, everything she had ever achieved was only because of him.

An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori Summary

"An Understated Dominance" by Marina Vittori is a captivating novel that delves into the complex dynamics between Dahlia Nicholson and Dustin Rhys, two individuals whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. Set against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis, the story unravels with a blend of passion, ambition, and hidden desires. Dahlia Nicholson, a fiercely independent woman in her late twenties, is a rising star in the world of architecture. Possessing an innate talent for design and a determination to succeed in a male-dominated industry, Dahlia is not one to back down from a challenge. Her sharp wit and unyielding spirit are the hallmarks of her character, making her a force to be reckoned with. Dustin Rhys, on the other hand, is a successful entrepreneur in his early thirties, known for his astute business acumen and charismatic presence. The heir to a vast empire, Dustin is accustomed to power and privilege, but his life is far from perfect. Burdened by familial expectations and haunted by his own demons, he harbors secrets that threaten to unravel his carefully constructed facade. Their paths cross during a high-profile architectural project, where Dahlia's innovative designs catch Dustin's discerning eye. Recognizing her talent, he offers her the opportunity of a lifetime to collaborate on a groundbreaking project that could redefine the skyline of the city. Initially hesitant to align herself with someone as enigmatic as Dustin, Dahlia eventually succumbs to the allure of the project and the promise of professional recognition.

An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

As they embark on this creative journey, a palpable tension simmers beneath the surface. The professional boundaries blur, giving way to a magnetic attraction that neither can deny. Their interactions are charged with a subtle, unspoken dominance, a dance of power and vulnerability that heightens the intensity of their connection. Vittori masterfully navigates the intricacies of Dahlia and Dustin's relationship, weaving a narrative that explores themes of ambition, trust, and the complexities of love. Each character is rendered with depth and nuance, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles and celebrate their triumphs. The novel takes unexpected turns as Dahlia and Dustin confront their own insecurities and confront the ghosts of their pasts. Their personal growth is intertwined with the evolution of their relationship, creating a narrative that is as much about self-discovery as it is about love. As the architectural project nears its completion, the stakes are higher than ever. The climax of the story culminates in a breathtaking revelation, forcing Dahlia and Dustin to confront the choices that will shape their futures. "An Understated Dominance" is a testament to Marina Vittori's skill in crafting emotionally resonant narratives. Her prose is elegant and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a world where passion and ambition collide. The novel leaves readers with a profound sense of satisfaction, having witnessed the transformation of two individuals who find strength in vulnerability and ultimately, a love that defies convention. In this tale of love and ambition, Vittori proves that true dominance lies not in power plays, but in the quiet, understated moments of connection that have the power to change lives forever.  

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