Irene's body went limp, and Dustin caught her, loosening her bindings. Looking at the vicious cut on Irene's face, his heart ached. If he was right, her face was ruined forever. For a beautiful woman, it took immense courage and determination to self-mutilate to this extent. But to avoid burdening him, Irene had made that choice without hesitation; she had been willing to die. Dustin didn't understand her actions. Was her loyalty so profound because she was from the West family, or was it gratitude for his past help? Whatever the reason, he was deeply moved.

"Why are you so foolish?" he asked, holding her.

"Because I didn't want to burden you" Irene whispered weakly.

Dustin was speechless. Nearby, Bianca's expression shifted several times before she composed herself, took a few steps back, and quietly slipped out of the house. Having no more leverage to threaten Dustin Fox, she retreated decisively.

Inside, Dustin gently placed Irene in a chair and attempted to stem the bleeding. "Just wait here a moment. I'll go kill that bitch," he said softly.

"Alright," Irene nodded.

Dustin left the house, intent on murder. Bianca panicked, running frantically down the rural path.

"This is crazy! He's insane!" she cursed. "Dustin, next time, I'll make sure you bow to me a hundred times and avenge my cousins!" she vowed stubbornly.

"I'm afraid you won't have a next time," Dustin's chilling voice cut through the air beside her.

Stunned, Bianca stopped, looking around in terror. With a swift movement, Dustin appeared before her.

"What what do you want?" she asked fearfully.

Dustin didn't need to speak; his face expressed his intent to kill. From the moment she plotted against his father's remains, her fate was sealed. No one could save her; no one could stop him.

"You want to kill me?" Bianca shrank back, a chill running down her spine. She had never felt such terror.

"How dare you, Dustin? Don't forget, I'm the daughter of the Winter family of Central Harbor! My family can destroy everyone you love—everyone and everything!" Bianca snarled, unwilling to show fear or weakness. "I don't think you'll actually kill me! Not unless you want that precious Langley family of yours to die! Or the West family! Do you want the women you love to suffer the worst humiliations imaginable? You wouldn't—"

Her rant ended abruptly as Dustin's hand clamped around her throat, lifting her off the ground. Bianca thrashed, her face reddening. Her arrogance and haughtiness vanished, replaced by sheer terror in her eyes. Dustin, a fearless force, was truly going to kill her. She tried to speak, but no sound escaped.

Dustin glared, then loosened his grip. Bianca fell, gasping for air.

"You're lucky I don't kill women," he said flatly, turning to leave.

Bianca breathed a sigh of relief, having escaped death. But her glare at his retreating back was filled with hatred. She was already plotting a far more vicious revenge.