Chapter 209

“AIDS?” Chloe froze, speechless and shocked. Dustin’s accurate assessment of her symptoms was alarming, especially given her recent unprotected intimacy with a new partner. Hearing his words, she panicked.

“Dustin, are you sure?” Natasha also looked surprised. AIDS was a serious matter. Could this be Roderick’s secret illness?

“I can’t be one hundred percent certain, but I’m close,” Dustin replied.

“You’re bullshitting me!” Chloe shrieked. “I had a medical checkup this morning! How could I have AIDS? Stop trying to scare me!”

“Believe me or not,” Dustin shrugged.

“Bastard! You’re scaremongering and humiliating me! Wally, beat him up!” Enraged, Chloe ordered her bodyguard. Wally, however, remained frozen, pale and sweating profusely.

“Wally, what are you doing? Do something!” Chloe shouted.

“What’s going on?!”

A tan, obese middle-aged man entered, followed by two burly bodyguards.

“Isn’t that Big Bucks Brooks of Millsburg? What’s he doing here?”

“That’s his wife, Chloe Marshall. This is going to be good!”

“Big Bucks Brooks spoils his wife rotten. That punk’s going to get it!”

The restaurant buzzed with speculation at the middle-aged man’s arrival.

“Honey, you’re here!” Chloe ran into his arms, sobbing. “That guy was bullying me! You have to help me!”

“Who’s the asshole brave enough to bully my wife?!” Roderick’s eyes blazed with anger. Despite his wife’s often unruly behavior, he doted on her unconditionally.

“It’s that gigolo with Natasha!” Chloe pointed at Dustin.

“Hm?” Roderick narrowed his eyes. “Ms. Harmon, is that man your friend?”

“This is Dustin, my boyfriend,” Natasha stated plainly.

This shocked Roderick. Wasn't Natasha with Tyler? And her expression suggested she wasn't joking.

“Honey, that gigolo called me names and said I have a disease! If you don’t help me, I’ll be too ashamed to leave the house!” Chloe adopted a pitiful expression, tears streaming down her face. She was a completely different person than her earlier, unruly self—a drama queen, pure and simple.

“Okay, calm down. I’ll get justice for you.” After comforting his wife, he turned to Natasha. “Ms. Harmon, I need an explanation.”

“An explanation? Your wife started the insults. Dustin was having a normal conversation,” Natasha responded indifferently. She wasn't intimidated by Roderick's wealth. She would either talk it out or let things get ugly—no big deal.

“You’re lying! You’re ganging up on me!” Chloe shouted.

“I was kindly informing you that you’re sick,” Dustin said seriously.

“See, honey! He said I’m sick! He’s insulting me!” Chloe fumed.

“I’m telling the truth. How is that insulting?” Dustin countered.

“Punk, you’re arrogant. What disease does my wife have?” Roderick’s expression was livid.

“AIDS,” Dustin said casually.

“Bullshit!” Roderick’s face darkened. “I’ve always been faithful. How could I have AIDS?”

“You haven’t, but your wife has,” Dustin stated.

“What do you mean?” Roderick’s gaze was steely.

“Your wife is having an affair,” Dustin revealed.

The room erupted in chaos.

Everyone stared at Dustin as if he were an idiot. He’d just accused Big Bucks Brooks’ wife of infidelity—a death wish. Everyone knew Brooks covered up his wife's mistakes.

“Punk, do you know what you’re saying?” Roderick gritted his teeth, his eyes ferocious. If not for Natasha, he would have already attacked Dustin.

“Yes,” Dustin said, his expression unchanged. “Mr. Brooks, your wife hired Wally a few months ago, right?”

“So?” Roderick frowned.

“Wally’s symptoms are much worse than your wife’s. He likely gave your wife AIDS,” Dustin explained.

Chloe and Wally trembled in fear. Panic flashed across their faces. Roderick noticed their reaction.

“That’s bullshit! Chloe’s shame morphed into rage. “You dog, you’re smearing me! I’ll beat you to a pulp!” She lunged at him.

Roderick’s phone vibrated. It was the results of Chloe’s medical checkup. He read them, his face turning stormy. Veins popped on his forehead.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” Chloe felt uneasy.

A sharp slap echoed through the room. Roderick, known for his overprotectiveness, slapped Chloe so hard she staggered backward, bleeding from her nose and mouth, her cheeks swelling.

The entire room was shocked.