Chapter 499 Dustin's Arrival

Chapter 499 Dustin's Arrival

"Parker, quit making fun of me here! I know all about the games you and Karena play, thinking you can cozy up to her... Yeah, I don't have much say in that."

Parker raised an eyebrow, acting all cool, but Ava saw him clenching his fist slowly at his side. "But hey, I remember Karena likes you too. So, is it that she thinks you, as a clueless guy, can't satisfy her, and that's why she just plays with you like a puppy?"

The tension between the two rival heirs exploded.

Oliver's hand rested on his sword hilt, and Parker's smile faded a bit, his gaze turning dangerous and icy.

"You fool," Parker said coldly. "I was trying to warn you about outside threats, but all you got from it was thinking I'd harm you with your tiny brain!"

"Even now, you're still dissing me! Let me tell you, a few words from you won't change the subject. I see right through your motives. You want to mess up my chances, so when Johnny is out of the heir position, you'll be next in line!"

"I won't let you get away with it!"

The tension in the air was palpable. Ava felt Parker might redirect his anger towards her, but luckily, Oliver seemed as clueless as Parker had described. He kept his eyes on Parker, ready for any move to confront him.

Ava's eyes behind the mask scanned the two men coldly. Her grip on the sword remained firm, but her alertness heightened.

Parker's sharp eye made Ava realize he was starting to suspect her identity from small details. 

Ava sighed inwardly, grateful that not everyone in the Carter family was as perceptive as Parker. 

Oliver, at the right moment, interrupted Parker, averting a clash within the Carter family.

Despite Johnny's reassurance, who could guarantee that in Johnny's absence, those people wouldn't lean towards the other two heirs with equal rights?

Ava subtly adjusted her sword grip, prepared for any sudden developments.

Just as the situation was about to boil over, another voice broke the tension.

"Atticus."

Dustin's figure appeared at the end of the path leading to Johnny's residence, seemingly out of thin air. He stood quietly, yet both Oliver and Parker tensed up in response. 

Dustin, however, remained poker-faced, his gaze fixed on Ava.

"Mr. Carter has been waiting for you for quite a while."

Ava paused, realizing Dustin was confirming her identity in front of Oliver and Parker.

No matter how much Parker speculated and doubted, they couldn't question Dustin. 

As Johnny's close aide, Dustin was one of Johnny's most trusted confidants, representing Johnny's will to some extent.

Parker sneered, "Dustin, you make it sound like we're intentionally blocking someone and stopping Atticus from heading back home, wagging his tail."

This time, Oliver quickly caught Parker's drift. He smirked sarcastically, "Why bother Johnny's lapdog at The Carter Manor? But Dustin, are you ignoring us, Oliver and Parker, who are also part of the Carter family, just like Johnny? What happened to your manners? Or are you, like Johnny, clueless about being polite?"

Dustin turned his head slowly towards Oliver and Parker. Though his voice was low, it carried a chilling tone.

"Mr. Oliver Carter, Mr. Parker Carter, I think there's a misunderstanding here."

He paused, "Even though you both are part of the Carter family, Mr. Johnny Carter is the family heir. If I'm not offering you proper etiquette, it's because you hold no significance in Mr. Johnny Carter's eyes. Should Mr. Oliver Carter and Mr. Parker Carter greet every passing guard as well?"

"You!" Oliver was the first to be provoked by Dustin's jab. He clenched his fist, looking ready to charge.

"Easy there!" Parker grabbed Oliver's shoulder. "Don't let others' words get under your skin so easily. How will you compete for the heir's throne if you lose your cool?"

"Don't play innocent. I haven't forgotten your scheming against me!"

Oliver brushed off Parker's hand on his shoulder. "I'm not planning to let this slide. When I take the heir's position, I won't tolerate these loudmouths causing trouble!"

Dustin remained composed. "If you succeed."

"But remember, the current heir of the Carter family is Mr. Johnny Carter. Mr. Carter is open to competition, but if you keep stirring the pot, be ready to lose, especially..."

He paused, his gaze mocking as it settled on Oliver. "Don't be too eager to give away the family's interests as gifts. I thought everyone, like Mr. Johnny Carter, had a proper upbringing. Seems like maybe you two missed those lessons from Mrs. Karena Carter."

Dustin stressed Karena's title, causing an instant change in the expressions of the two men before him.

Their relationships with Karena weren't exactly a secret within the Carter family, especially with Holden bedridden and out of the picture. As long as it didn't jeopardize the family's interests or lead to offspring, others turned a blind eye.

But when it came to disputes over interests, even without Johnny or Holden stepping in, the family elders would intervene first.

This was one of the reasons for the tension between Oliver and Parker.

Muscles twitched on Oliver's face, while Parker narrowed his eyes, his face once again sporting that unreadable smile. Yet, a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes.

Dustin's warning was clear and stern, practically stating that the Carter family was still under Johnny's command. They had to dial back their aggression or face certain defeat.