Chapter 19

"Have you found out anything?" Amara frowned in the Wyatt family villa. After learning that the Williams family's motorcade had encountered trouble, she'd sent someone to investigate. "What? You don't know? What the hell do I pay you for?" she roared when her men returned empty-handed. There were no updates on why Alvin and his Blackguard had vanished en route to confront Dustin.

"What about Dustin? What's happening at the Langley family villa?" Amara asked.

"He hasn't left. He's been there the whole time," the man replied.

"What in the world is going on?"

The Wyatt sisters were perplexed. The Williams family, one of Honora's wealthiest, boasted exceptionally skilled Blackguards. What kind of person could make them disappear without a trace? "That Dustin's really lucky!" Elisa spat.

"Yeah, lucky to be alive this time!"

As the sisters fumed, Amara received a call.

"Mom, you're back!" Amara exclaimed, surprised.

The Wyatt sisters felt a surge of nervousness. Their mother, the family's true power broker, had left for Central Harbor a month ago to visit relatives.

Amara and her sisters quickly prepared to meet their mother at the airport. A sedan pulled up to the front door as they stepped outside. A beautiful, elderly woman emerged, her demeanor icy.

"Mother"

The five women stood in a line, a mixture of fear and respect evident. Amara trembled, especially, before their mother, Lydia Byrne, the Wyatt family matriarch. Even their father, the patriarch, had feared Lydia. The sisters had been raised to fear her. Lydia stepped from the car, displeasure etched on her face, her gaze sweeping across her daughters.

"Mother, why are you back so early?" Amara asked cautiously.

"How dare you hide the truth from me when such a huge mess has happened at home?" Lydia chided. Amara remained silent.

"Take me to Elijah now!"

The Wyatt sisters, without hesitation, led Lydia upstairs. Seeing Elijah's weakened state, Lydia's concern was palpable. After confirming his identity as her long-lost son, her expression darkened.

"Elijah's homecoming has been difficult, and for him to end up like this… What kind of sisters are you?" she asked coldly.

"Mother, this is all my fault…" Amara confessed, unable to meet Lydia's gaze.

"You are all at fault!" Lydia's gaze intensified. "Dustin Fox is nothing but a dog of the Wyatt family. How could you lose control of him? Is this what I taught you? It's not like the Wyatt family can't afford to keep him; even a dog can be useful."

The sisters endured her scolding silently, not daring to retort. Finally, Lydia paused for breath.

"Call Dustin. Have him come here at once," she instructed briskly.

"Mother, Dustin might not come…" Amara said cautiously.

"Do as I say and make the call!" Lydia glared.

Amara quickly called Dustin; the call was disconnected after two rings. Distressed, she looked at her mother.

"Call until he answers," Lydia said icily.

Amara and her sisters took turns calling until Dustin finally answered Bella's call.

"Will you ever stop?" Dustin asked.

"Dustin, it's me," Lydia said calmly.

"Lydia?" Dustin frowned. Lydia was Dustin's adoptive mother, but she disliked him, forbidding him from calling her "Mother." She'd always been cold and distant, but unlike the Wyatt sisters, she hadn't humiliated him; she treated him as if he were invisible.

"Come to the villa. Your adoptive father left you something," Lydia said before hanging up.

Dustin was suspicious but decided to investigate. Within the hour, he arrived at the Wyatt family villa.

"Sit," Lydia gestured to the couch. The Wyatt sisters stood silently in a corner, forbidden to speak.

Dustin sat, frowning. Lydia wasted no time on pleasantries, producing a check and placing it before him. It was for three million dollars.

"Lydia, what is the meaning of this?"

"You've lived here for over ten years. Regardless of what's happened, you're part of the family. Consider this a contribution from us, now that you're pursuing your own ambitions," Lydia said flatly. Dustin smiled; Lydia was far more strategic than her daughters, but her words framed it as a favor.

"Or perhaps you could return to the Wyatt family," Lydia continued. "Elijah needs someone to work for him."

Dustin's smile became mocking; the Wyatt family still viewed him as a servant.

"What? Are you unwilling?" Lydia frowned. "Why are you being so difficult?" Her gaze sharpened. "If it weren't for the Wyatt family, you'd be dead on the streets. You can't repay that debt in this lifetime! It seems, after all these years, you've never understood your place… Dustin Fox, you're nothing more than a dog in this family!"

Lydia's true feelings were revealed; she'd always seen him as nothing more than a dog. Dustin's face darkened; Lydia was arrogant, looking down on everyone, including her husband. She slammed the check down.

"Three million dollars is a reward from the Wyatt family. You cannot reject it. The Wyatt family has never mistreated its people, even if that person is nothing more than a dog! As for injuring your master, you'll pay the price later!" Lydia's commanding tone allowed no argument. She'd never spoken this much to Dustin before.

"You dared use what you learned at the Wyatt family against your master. Ungrateful and insolent!" Lydia continued. "Treat Elijah immediately!"

Dustin chuckled, rising from the couch. He picked up the check, a taunting look on his face.

"How generous of the Wyatt family to give a dog three million dollars!" he mocked. "Maybe I was just a dog… But from the moment I left, I'm Dustin Fox, and no one else."

He tore the check into pieces. Lydia showed no surprise.

"Elijah deserved what he got. I will not treat him," Dustin said coldly, turning to leave.

"Think carefully about the consequences of walking through that door…" Lydia threatened.

Dustin didn't hesitate, walking away. His adoptive father might have left him something, but it was with Lydia, and he didn't want it. He was no longer a slave to the Wyatt family.