An Understated Dominance (Maria Vittori) novel Chapter 1115

Chapter 1115: The Unraveling Trust

Shiela chuckled self-deprecatingly. “If you truly considered me a friend, why did you harm my cousin? Why did you kidnap me? Why did you do all these things?”

“I…” Dustin was momentarily tongue-tied. He had explained the situation twice, but it was evident that Shiela didn’t believe him. Or perhaps, she already saw him as a criminal. No matter how he explained or proved himself now, it wouldn’t make a difference. Once the seed of doubt was sown, trust was irrevocably lost. He had learned this lesson long ago.

“What’s the matter? Can’t find the words? Realizing you’re in the wrong?”

“It seems my father was right. Your previous actions were all fake, all with ulterior motives, all for your own gain!”

“I thought you were someone special, unlike those ordinary people who crave vanity.”

“But now I see I was wrong, terribly wrong.”

“You’re no different from those who intentionally got close to me. You’re just better at disguising yourself, better at deceiving people.”

“You’ve fooled me, a naive fool, made me unable to distinguish the truth, and nearly turned me against my family!”

“Dustin! I hate you! I hate you!”

Shiela almost shouted the last sentence, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. She had approached Dustin with sincerity, believing she would receive the same in return, but all she got was deception.

She couldn’t understand what she had done wrong.

In the face of her accusations, Dustin first seemed surprised, then shook his head with a faint smile. He knew that Shiela had already made her choice. When it came to family versus friends, she had chosen family. That was understandable, so there was no point in getting angry.