Chapter 55

"Dustin, stop!"

Clara rushed into the hall with several men. Seeing Dustin about to attack Michael again, she intervened. Dustin looked at her indifferently.

"You finally showed up," he said.

She rushed to Michael's side, helping him to his feet. "How dare you attack someone from Central Harbor?" she demanded, her voice cold and sharp. Her demeanor mirrored her behavior at home. "I order you to apologize to Mr. Carson immediately!" Her tone brooked no argument—a tone Dustin knew well from his upbringing in the Wyatt family.

"Have you lost your mind, Clara?" Dustin sneered. "Do you think things are the same as they used to be? I'm no longer part of the Wyatt family. You were the ones who kicked me out! You still think you can boss me around?"

Clara's face hardened. Her gaze turned cold. "I'm trying to save your life by asking you to apologize to Mr. Carson!" she said icily. "The Carson family could kill you with a word. I'm trying to help you, you idiot!"

"I don't need your help, Miss Clara," Dustin replied, unmoved.

Clara felt a lump in her throat, her disgust with Dustin growing.

"Miss Clara," Michael asked darkly, "is this man related to the Wyatt family?"

"Mr. Carson, please don't misunderstand," Clara said swiftly. "We expelled this man from the family long ago. He has nothing to do with us. His actions are in no way connected to the Wyatt family. You can deal with him as you see fit."

"Excellent!" Michael said, his teeth gritted. "I will use the Carson family's power to destroy him!"

"Mr. Carson," Clara inquired, "I hear the Carson family possesses a Mystic Token that compels the local authorities to obey you. Is that true?"

Michael's eyes gleamed. "Who's in charge here?" he bellowed.

A well-dressed middle-aged man approached and introduced himself. "I'm the mayor of Rivenesco. How may I assist you, Mr. Carson?"

The mayor of Rivenesco held ultimate authority in the city. Even he behaved humbly towards Michael, taking his orders. This demonstrated the Carson family's Mystic Token's immense power.

"Dustin," Clara said with a mocking smile, "didn't you say I couldn't order you around? I wonder if the mayor, as a civilian, can."

Dustin looked at her calmly. Clara was clever, adept at manipulating others. Michael's and the mayor's appearances were seemingly coincidental, yet part of her carefully orchestrated plan. She feigned disinterest, despite being the mastermind.

"You can't order me around, and neither can this insignificant mayor," Dustin said dismissively.

"How arrogant!" The mayor's face darkened. He wasn't angry yet, but his demeanor was intimidating.

He clapped his hands, and numerous men stormed into the hall, surrounding Dustin and Simone. Michael felt emboldened.

"Punk," he sneered, "how many do you think you can beat? Fifty? A hundred?"

"According to Lovellia's laws," Clara stated disdainfully, "anyone defying the Mystic Token's power faces exile to the border or indefinite imprisonment!"

"Mr. Carson," she continued, "exile to the border seems best. Not everyone survives the bitter cold there. Death from illness or fatigue is common." Exile meant a grueling journey through icy terrain in chains, day and night.

"Let's do it!" Michael nodded, a sinister grin spreading across his face. He had many plans for Dustin once he was exiled.

(The final section, "Today's Bonus Offer…", is unrelated to the story and has been omitted.)