Chapter 23
"Hahaha!" Bella laughed, as if she'd just heard the world's greatest joke. "Other than this show, 'Lady Covey's Diaries,' my schedule is fully booked for the next two years. Numerous investors and directors are begging me to take their scripts, and big companies are offering me high-paying endorsement deals. And yet, you're telling me my career ends here? Oh, Dustin… you really are delusional. I can't believe you even said that."
Bella glanced at Camille and chuckled mockingly. "With one word from me, this little girl won't get a spot in any crew. She won't even land a background role, let alone rise to fame. So tell me, how is she supposed to make it big?" Camille tensed, visibly worried.
Dustin remained silent, releasing Bella's hand and turning away. He ushered Camille from the filming studio. "Camille, what's so good about this show? You shouldn't act on it anymore. I'll get you another show," he said gently.
Camille nodded obediently. Although she doubted Dustin possessed such power, she couldn't embarrass him; he was only trying to defend her.
"All empty promises and lies for a girl," Bella scoffed, thinking Dustin had become increasingly annoying and hateful since being expelled from the Wyatt family.
"Simone, let's go," Dustin said, taking their hands and guiding them out.
"Stop right there!" Bella yelled. "You've ruined our shoot. You think you can just leave?"
Dustin looked impatient. "What do you want, then?"
Bella clapped her hands. Men, all wearing identical uniforms and bearing the same green symbol tattooed on their arms, emerged, looking ferocious. They surrounded the studio, some brandishing weapons. The terrified film crew huddled in a corner.
A man stepped forward, appearing to be the leader. "Miss Wyatt, is this the man who caused trouble and assaulted you?" He treated Bella with deference.
Bella nodded calmly.
"Don't worry, Miss Wyatt. I'll make sure this guy is kneeling before you, begging for your forgiveness, within three minutes," the man promised, gesturing to his men.
The Verdant Gang moved to surround Dustin and the Langley sisters.
"The sight of blood makes me nauseous. I'll take a break. You can deal with this however you want," Bella said briskly, departing with her assistant's assistance.
"Dustin…" Camille clutched Dustin's arm, fear evident.
"Dustin, can you… handle this?" Simone asked worriedly, aware of Dustin's strength but overwhelmed by the sheer number of men.
"Shh… be good and close your eyes. It'll be over in a moment," Dustin reassured them with a smile.
Hesitantly, Simone and Camille closed their eyes. There were sounds of struggle and commotion; then, silence.
"We're alright now," Dustin announced.
Simone and Camille opened their eyes to a shocking scene. Several men lay scattered across the studio floor—some half-buried, others embedded in the walls, others in a disheveled heap. The leader, who had boasted of forcing Dustin's submission, knelt, pale and clutching his chest, coughing blood. His shattered kneecaps prevented him from rising.
The crew stared at Dustin in horror. They had witnessed his actions… Dustin was some kind of monster! He was as fast as a shadow; the Verdant Gang members were ants before him, vanquished in the blink of an eye. Was he superhuman?
Camille's eyes widened in shock. Had Dustin really done that? How was it possible? Simone, though stunned, found the truth easier to accept.
The three left the filming studio.
After a while, Bella, growing impatient, returned to the set, met by a scene that baffled her. "What's going on?" she asked, shocked.
No one answered. The Verdant Gang members were too badly injured to speak, and the crew were too terrified to utter a word.
"Is Dustin really this powerful?" she muttered, unable to accept, unwilling to believe it, yet confronted by the undeniable truth. After a moment's thought, she produced her phone. "You asked for this, Dustin Fox!"