Chapter 189

"What? How is this possible?!"

Phoebe and Aaron froze, their eyes darting to the couch where Dustin sat, wide awake. His piercing gaze sent a chill down their spines. Panic and disbelief washed over them.

"You drank two glasses… How can you still be fine?" Phoebe stammered, pointing a trembling finger at Dustin. The drug she'd slipped into his drink was nearly impossible to obtain; she'd spiked it herself and watched him drink it. How could he be unaffected?

"You didn't drink the wine?!" Aaron exclaimed, his face twisting in frustration.

"I did," Dustin replied nonchalantly. "But the drug's too weak. It didn't even give me a buzz."

Their faces paled. Disbelief morphed into shock. This drug was infamous for its potency—anything but weak. Unknown to them, Dustin's body was immune to toxins.

Seeing him unharmed, Irene breathed a sigh of relief. But a surge of heat intensified, clouding her mind with dizzying desire. Noticing her distress, Dustin raised an eyebrow and gave her a pill. A wave of coolness instantly swept away the heat, restoring her clarity.

"I… How did you…" Irene gasped, her eyes wide with awe.

Phoebe and Aaron remained frozen in disbelief. A simple pill had neutralized one of the strongest drugs in existence! What kind of power was this?

"You saw through their plan, didn't you?" Irene asked softly, her voice a mix of gratitude and reproach.

"Amateur tricks," Dustin dismissed. "You give people too much credit. Sometimes, you have to learn the hard way."

Her head lowered in shame. She vowed never to fall for such a thing again.

"You think you're safe?" Phoebe sneered venomously. "The Crimson Gang is downstairs. It doesn't matter. You won't escape. Irene, you're finished. And him—" she jabbed a finger at Dustin—"by tomorrow, no one will even find his body."

Aaron chuckled, his grin cruel. "Forcing you will only make it more satisfying," he growled, licking his lips with a predatory glint.

A knock came at the door.

"They're here," Phoebe said gleefully, practically skipping to the door.

More than ten men entered. Aaron smirked, addressing them. "The rest of you wait outside. Don't worry, you'll get your turn soon enough."

"Thank you, Mr. Aaron!" a thunderous response echoed from beyond the door before it slammed shut. Dozens more men were stationed outside.

Pete Kane, a short man, stepped forward. He barked at his subordinates, "Show some respect to Mr. Aaron!"

"Thank you, Mr. Aaron!" the men chorused, bowing.

Aaron smiled at Pete. "Mr. Kane, send my regards to your leader."

"Certainly, Mr. Aaron," Pete said eagerly, his face lighting up with a sycophantic grin. "Whatever you need tonight, just say the word. The Crimson Gang will handle everything perfectly." He thumped his chest. Aaron's eyes gleamed with malice as he looked at Dustin and Irene.

"She's all yours once I'm done. Everyone gets a turn." His voice dripped with cruelty. His gaze shifted to Dustin. "As for him, cripple him. Don't kill him. I want him alive to watch us destroy her. Once you're done, take him away. Do whatever you like with him, but make sure he never shows his face in Lannopolis again."

"Understood, Mr. Aaron!" Pete said, a lewd grin spreading across his face. A burning desire filled his eyes as he lingered on Irene.