Chapter 62

“Who dares stir up trouble on my turf? Do they have a death wish?” Mason Zims bellowed, strutting with a cigar in his mouth. The crowd dispersed; all were afraid to provoke him. Even Dahlia’s expression turned grave at the sight of him. Though Trevor Spanner was dead, Mason Zims had inherited his power and reveled in it. With Edwin Hummer at his back, few dared offend him.

“Escape through the side door. I’ll cover for you!” Dahlia ordered, stepping forward to shield Dustin. She was influential; even Mason’s craziness wouldn’t embolden him to touch her. Dustin, however, was a different story. If he fell into Zims’ clutches, he’d be dead or disabled, at the very least.

“You want him to escape? Where to? As long as Sir Zims is here, not even Jesus could save you! His death is imminent!” Mr. Chansey huffed, strutting cockily toward Mason. “You’ve arrived, Sir Zims! Look at my face—how it’s been beaten!” he lamented.

“What happened here?” Mason asked, raising an eyebrow.

“This woman asked for a loan,” Chansey lied. “But she had bad credit, so I refused. Then, she shamelessly seduced me, toyed with other men, and—because I wouldn’t give in—beat me up! Can you believe it?”

“Oh, she’s a wild one,” Mason snapped. He didn’t look friendly. “Did you mention my name?”

“Of course! They scoffed at your name and said they’d fight you if you showed up!” Chansey instigated.

“Good—excellent! If I don’t flex my muscles, people think I’ve lost my touch!” Mason guffawed wickedly. He’d just taken control of the Drey Group and craved an opportunity to assert his dominance. A few death-defying individuals were just what he needed!

Dahlia, having held back long enough, exploded. “Sir Zims, I asked for a loan, but he refused and made things difficult! His accusations of seduction and playing men were completely fabricated! He’s lying—”

Mason waved her silent. “What makes you think I care about the truth? I don’t care who’s right or wrong. You picked a fight on my turf, disrespecting me! Anyone who disrespects me—Tom, Dick, or Harry—will kneel and beg forgiveness.”

Dahlia frowned; she hadn’t expected such unreasonableness.

“Didn’t you hear him? Kneel and beg!” Mr. Chansey snickered, emboldened by Mason’s nature.

“Tell me… who hit you? Let’s see if he escapes with his hands intact!” Mason twirled a knife. He vowed to make an example of someone.

“Sir Zims, that little shit!” Chansey pointed at Dustin.

Mason, cigar in mouth, turned to see Dustin. His body froze as if struck by lightning. The knife clattered to the floor.

“Oh, my God, why him?!” Mason thought nervously. Cold sweat broke out; his legs buckled. The image of Dustin single-handedly destroying a building was still vivid, a recurring nightmare. Spanner’s disappearance and the destruction of Spanner Villa two days prior only amplified his fear. He knew it was Dustin’s doing; a general of the western warzone vanished in a single night. The man before him was terrifying.

“Fucking pig! Why him?!” he grumbled.

“Weren’t you barking like a rabid dog? Why the silence now?” Chansey, oblivious, continued taunting. “Let’s see you slap me again! I’ll ensure a horrible death!”

Seizing his chance, Mason slapped Chansey hard. A crunch echoed as Chansey staggered, a red handprint on his face.

“Sir Zims… the wrong person?” Chansey mumbled, hands covering his shocked expression.

“Wrong guy? You’re the one I’m supposed to beat up!” Mason roared, slapping Chansey repeatedly before throwing him to the ground, punching and kicking him. “Fat pig! Why would Ms. Nicholson seduce you? How dare you use my name so casually! I'll see to it that you stay dead!”

The more he cursed, the fiercer he became. Chansey cried, screaming for his parents, begging for mercy.

“What’s going on?” someone whispered from the crowd. The sudden shift stunned everyone. Wasn’t Mason supposed to be on Chansey’s side? Who was on whose side now?

Dahlia’s eyes widened. She was speechless. Moments before, he’d been domineering and unreasonable; now, he feigned righteousness, yet a trace of fear was evident. Could someone who assassinated Spanner still be afraid?

Her gaze fell on Dustin. Mason’s change seemed linked to their encounter. Was Mason terrified of Dustin?