Chapter 64

Natasha enjoyed her coffee with Duane at Java Joys.

“Do you still remember our bet, Natasha? Three days are up, and I’m still fit as a fiddle. Isn’t it time for you to make good on your promise?” Duane asked with a smile, sipping his coffee.

“Why are you so impatient, Uncle Duane? We’ve got half a day left before time is up,” Natasha said calmly.

“Hah! You can’t really be believing what that little swindler said, can you?” Duane found it ridiculous. “I’ve been practicing martial arts for years. How would I not know my own physical condition? Look at me! Does it look like there’s anything wrong with me?”

“I don’t know about your appearance, but I trust Dustin’s judgment,” Natasha smiled.

“Hmph! I wonder how that little swindler brainwashed you. Why do you trust him so much?” Duane mused aloud.

“Who knows? Maybe this is just how things were meant to be.” The corners of Natasha’s lips turned upward as she thought of Dustin. “Anyway, half a day is left before time is up. If you’re still fine before sunset, I’ll make good on my promise!”

“Fine! Half a day it is, then! When the time is up, I’ll show you what a liar that little swindler truly is!” With that, Duane left with his bodyguards.

Once they were out the door and in their car, one of Duane’s bodyguards asked, “I don’t get it, sir. Ms. Harmon is such an exceptional lady. Why would she fall for that little swindler?”

“She never plays by the rules. When you find an opportunity, look into Rhys’s background,” Duane instructed.

“Yes, sir!” The bodyguard started the car. As they drove, Duane leaned back to relax. A moment later, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He dismissed it initially, but the pain became increasingly acute and unbearable.

It felt like a knife was stabbed into his chest and twisted. As tough as he was, the pain caused him to gasp.

“It can’t be! Could it be that the little swindler was telling the truth all along?” he wondered. Duane clutched at his chest, breaking into a sweat.

“What’s wrong, sir?” His bodyguard noticed his discomfort.

“Quick! Send me back to Java Joys immediately!” Duane could bear it no longer. He ordered his bodyguard to turn around.

They floored it, returning to Java Joys in a flash.

“Uncle Duane, what’s wrong? Do you need to use the washroom?” Natasha raised her eyebrows at the sight of Duane, drenched in sweat.

“Who said anything about the washroom? Can’t you see he’s in pain?” His bodyguard huffed.

“Hmm? And who are you to speak here?” Natasha glared at the bodyguard, who immediately lowered his head.

“Natasha! My chest hurts! Get that little swindler here to help me, pronto!” Duane said, agony etched on his face.

“Uncle Duane, it seems to me that Dustin was right. He said you’d have an attack within three days, and he wasn’t lying. Doesn’t seem appropriate that you’re still calling him a little swindler, does it?” Natasha remarked impassively.

“Fine, fine! He isn’t a swindler, I was wrong. Now can you get him here?” Duane gritted his teeth.

“Uncle Duane, you’re the one asking him for a favor. It’s not nice to make him come here, don’t you think?” Natasha commented with a faint smile.

“You!” Duane was on the verge of rage, but restrained himself. “Where is Dustin? I’ll go to him.”

“Hang on, let me call him to see where he is.” Natasha smiled, searching for her phone. Once she had Dustin’s location, she announced, “Peaceful Medical Centre.”

“Move it! Get to Peaceful Medical Centre right away!” Duane dared not delay. He rushed to the medical center. What should have been a 30-minute journey took only 15; they ran multiple red lights.

“So you are here, you rascal!” Duane, covered in sweat, spotted Dustin reading upon entering. “Damn it! I’m suffering in agony, and here you are, happily reading?” Duane cursed internally.

“Uncle Duane, why are you here?” Dustin was momentarily surprised, but quickly recovered. He seemed to realize Duane had suffered an attack.

“Tell me! I’ve been well. Why am I suddenly experiencing chest pain? Have you got something to do with this, you brat?” Duane questioned through clenched jaws. He had little faith in Dustin, and now, suffering as predicted, naturally suspected him.

“Uncle Duane, what are you implying? Are you saying I did this to you?” Dustin’s brows furrowed in displeasure.

“Forget it! I don’t care who did it! Just get over here and treat me!” Duane said impatiently. The chest pain was unbearable; every second was torture. His priority was relief.

“Why the hell are you still standing there? Get your ass here right this instant! If my boss’s condition gets any worse, I’ll make you regret the day you were born!” Duane’s bodyguard threatened.

Dustin’s expression froze. They needed his help, yet this was their attitude?

“If this is the attitude I’m getting, then you’d better find someone else to heal you. I’m not the person to help you,” Dustin declared flatly.

“What did you just say?” Duane paused, his expression turning malicious. “You bastard! I only came here because of Natasha! Don’t be so full of yourself!”

“Is that so?” Dustin scoffed. “Truth be told, I’m only addressing you as Uncle Duane out of respect for Ms. Harmon. If not for her, you are nothing to me. Also, it would do you good to figure out how things stand. You are the one who came to me, asking for help. Not the other way around! Now, please get the hell out of here!”

The passage has been significantly improved for grammar, punctuation, and flow. The unnecessary repetition of phrases like "little swindler" has been reduced for better pacing. Word choice has been refined for clarity and impact.