Chapter 96
Duane confidently smiled at the start of the battle. But it wasn't long before he realized something was terribly wrong. Dustin was far stronger than he'd anticipated. Terrifying surges of energy, like ocean waves, crashed over him, making his hand bones tremble. They felt like they would break any second!
Duane's expression darkened. He couldn't take it anymore. He threw a hard punch at Dustin, hoping to knock him back. However, Dustin didn't dodge; he met the blow head-on.
Their fists collided, shattering Duane's chair! The force of the punch sent Duane reeling backward until he hit the wall to regain his balance. Even so, Dustin remained calmly seated. They both knew who was the more powerful.
"Damn! I never knew you had tricks up your sleeve. I underestimated you!" Duane's eyes narrowed, a complex mix of emotions clouding his face. Dustin's youth had completely masked his strength. One punch had thrown him off his feet. While strength didn't fully define fighting skill, it certainly proved his physical power.
"Thanks for the Panax root, Duane," Dustin said, wasting no time. He picked up the box and stood to leave. Duane was already on his blacklist for being untrustworthy. This was their last business transaction.
"Sir Anderson, should I send men after him to retrieve it?" the Cobra asked hesitantly. He sensed Duane and Dustin weren't friends. If so, he had nothing to fear.
"He's quite strong. I'm afraid your men won't be able to handle him," Duane said, cautiously moving his numb arm.
"Are are you going to let him go like that?" The Cobra was disgruntled. After losing face earlier, he was eager for redemption.
"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!"
Meanwhile, outside the bar, Lyra arrived with the company's bodyguards. Seeing Dahlia and the others safe, 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 territory and thought there might be trouble. I didn't expect it to be so easy. I'm sure Mr. Laney deserves the credit?" Lyra smiled.
The suggestion immediately soured Matt's expression. This woman just had to annoy him!
"Hmm? Why is he here?" Lyra wondered, spotting Dustin leaving the bar.
He asked, "What are you guys still doing here? Waiting for someone to take revenge? I don't have the energy to save you again." He spoke calmly, clutching the wooden box.
"Who needs saving? You're so nosy!" Florence snapped rudely.
"Hmph! Stop showing off. If it weren't for Ms. Harmon, would you have walked out of there alive?" James mocked brashly.
"That's enough!" Dahlia waved her hands to stop their bickering. Turning to Dustin, she said, "Dustin, thanks for saving us, but I don't condone your behavior."
"Oh? Do you have any advice, Ms. Nicholson?" Dustin raised an eyebrow.
"You're too impulsive! You don't think before you act. Did you ever consider the consequences?" Dahlia asked.
"I don't know what consequences my actions would have caused, but I'm certain your brother's hands would have been chopped off," Dustin retorted matter-of-factly.