Chapter 119

David smiled. "Dustin is our benefactor, and we're pleased with him. If he's willing to marry Simone, we'd be completely on board." Margot's face darkened.

"Simone, what do you think of this?" she asked, looking at Simone.

Simone glanced at Dustin, her face reddening. "What my father said is exactly what I was going to say."

Dustin's composed expression showed surprise. During his time with the Langley family, he and Simone had only flirted occasionally; they'd never crossed the line. But David and Simone had just made their feelings clear. He felt warmth in his heart, and his gaze sharpened. If he was so highly valued by this family, he couldn't let them down.

"You bastard!" Margot slammed her cane on the floor. "Are you stupid?! Has he cast a spell on you?! He's just a piece of trash! Completely alone, with no one to support him! He's nothing! With Simone's beauty and qualifications, he's unworthy of her!"

Margot's harsh words enraged Simone and her family. Dustin's face turned cold.

"More than a year has passed, and you're all still such disappointments!" Margot yelled.

David tried to defend himself. "Mom, the Langley Group has managed to—"

"Enough! You only got a deal—a collaboration with the Excelsior Group in Somerton. That's nothing! Do you really think you secured that collaboration through your own efforts? Someone important in Somerton intervened. Otherwise, you're unworthy," Margot said impatiently. "And you, Camille, you don't even study properly. All you do is dream of becoming a star. You're a disappointment!"

Camille looked sad. She started to speak, but was interrupted.

"Your entire family is a mess, and you dare choose your own son-in-law? How dare you?! I'm the only one who decides who Simone marries, understand?!"

As the family matriarch, Margot was aggressive. Her words left Simone and her family speechless. In powerful families, most marriages were based on advantageous alliances, and women had little autonomy in choosing their husbands.

"But Dustin is—" David began.

"Enough! He helped your family, didn't he? Then we'll return the favor," Margot said impatiently.

Christian, standing beside her, was instructed, "Bring it over, Christian."

Christian approached Dustin with a box, which he opened to reveal stacks of cash. With a mocking sneer, Christian dumped the money in front of Dustin.

"That's three million. Take what you want, then leave. After this, Simone will have nothing to do with you. If you dare to mention saving her life, we'll make you regret it!" Margot declared with superiority. Dustin scowled, his gaze hardening.

What did the Langley family take him for? Were they trying to dismiss him with three million? This was all too familiar. The Wyatt family had done something similar, thinking they could treat him like a charity case, offering money and expecting eternal gratitude. Such arrogance!

"Now then, we've returned the favor. You don't have to worry about him anymore," Margot said with a smile. "Simone, I'm going to introduce you to a good man now."

Simone and her family's expressions changed. Dustin's face darkened.