Chapter 180: Dimitri’s gift (Part 1)

Words : 1174 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 180: Dimitri’s gift (Part 1) Inside the opulent lounging room... An uneasy stillness gripped the air like a storm waiting to break. Dimitri sat motionless, his gaze locked on Augustine and Anne with a look that was part disbelief, part accusation. He broke the silence at last. "You knew Tania was lying all along. And you chose not to tell us." His eyes narrowed in suspicion as he focused on Augustine. "Don’t tell me this wasn’t orchestrated. You waited for tonight’s party on purpose, just to drag Denis and Gabriel through the mud." Anne turned her head and looked up at Augustine, only to find his lips quirking slightly in the corners. In fact, a part of her had wondered the same. She had questioned Augustine many times about when he’d reveal the truth. And each time, he had simply told her to wait and that the right moment would come. Looking at him now, the gleam in his eyes was impossible to ignore. It was clear: he had planned every step with meticulous precision. Dimitri’s voice cut through her thoughts. "You even brought the doctor with you and had every document ready. This wasn’t a coincidence. It was deliberate, a foolproof plan." Augustine didn’t deny it. There was no guilt in his expression—only calm confidence. "You are right," he admitted smoothly. "I planned all of it. I could have exposed Tania at the family dinner. But that would have been too easy. I wanted to watch Gabriel and Denis feel the burn of their arrogance, to see the shame on their faces. And Tania... she deserved nothing less than complete ruin for what she did to Anne." Then he turned to Anne and gently took her hand, his voice softening. "She won’t come near you again. I made sure of that." Anne’s eyes sparkled with gratitude. His protectiveness, his boldness, his unwavering stand for her—it all warmed something deep inside her. A smile tugged at her lips. Augustine addressed his grandfather. "I’m digging into Tania’s past. There is more to her than the lies she has already spun. Her ex-boyfriend vanished not long after speaking to her. He hasn’t been seen since. His parents have filed a missing person’s report, and I’m certain Tania knows something about his disappearance. She is hiding more than any of us realized, and I intend to uncover it. I want to know why she really targeted Denis." Dimitri regarded him for a long moment before giving a firm nod. "I believe you will," he said gravely. "Amidst tonight’s chaos, there is one truth I won’t ignore—you protected this family from being ensnared by a dangerous woman. I’m grateful for that, Augustine." He paused, exhaling deeply. "Still, you must be cautious. Denis and Gabriel won’t take this public humiliation lightly. They are bruised, and bruised pride can make men reckless. They may retaliate." Though the old man didn’t say much, the meaning behind his words was crystal clear. Augustine understood. "Thank you for your concern," Augustine replied. "But let me assure you—I’m not the powerless boy I once was. Gabriel and Denis can try all they want, but they won’t be able to hurt me." Dimitri studied him in silence, taking in the change that had come over his grandson. Augustine had transformed. Yet, Dimitri also knew the power and madness Gabriel carried. "You are all family," he said at last with hope and warning. "I’ve always wanted to see this family united, living in peace. But I also know past wounds run deep. What you did tonight wasn’t just justice. It was retaliation, a revenge on your uncle. Don’t underestimate what Gabriel is capable of when cornered." Augustine said with a respectful nod. "Grandpa... It’s late. You should go home and get some rest." Augustine turned to leave, holding Anne’s hand. "Wait a moment," Dimitri’s commanding voice echoed through the room, halting their steps. "I’d like to speak with Anne alone." Augustine’s brows furrowed. He instinctively glanced at Anne, his jaw tight with unease. The thought of leaving her alone with his grandfather unsettled him. Though Dimitri had shown a degree of fairness tonight, the old man’s unpredictable stance still made Augustine wary. Sensing his hesitation, Anne gently placed a hand on his arm. "It’s alright," she said with a soft, reassuring smile. "I’ll be fine. Just wait for me outside." Augustine held her gaze for a moment longer, visibly reluctant. His mind spun with questions—what did Dimitri want to say to Anne in private? But he chose not to press. Instead, he gave a short nod, his eyes lingering protectively on Anne. "Okay. I’ll be right outside." He left the room, the door clicking shut behind him. Anne slowly turned to face Dimitri, her expression steady, though her heart picked up a beat. "We are alone now," Anne said. "There is no need to pretend. Let me be clear—no matter what you offer me, even if it’s the entire Beaumont fortune, I will never leave Augustine." Dimitri’s lips curled into an unexpected, approving smile. "I know," he replied calmly. "I believe you." The simplicity of his words stunned Anne. She had braced herself for hostility, for veiled threats or perhaps a bribe—anything to separate her from Augustine. But instead, he said he believed her. For a moment, she stood speechless. Using his cane for balance, Dimitri slowly rose from his chair and met her eyes with unflinching sincerity. "You doubt me—and you are right to. I gave you every reason to. But allow me to explain something." He took a step closer. "I needed to know what your real intention of approaching Augustine. I had to be sure you weren’t drawn to him for his wealth. I had to test you." Anne’s brows drew together as understanding dawned. "You offered me money to test my loyalty," she said with disbelief. Dimitri gave a firm nod. "Yes. Augustine has already suffered too much because of the choices I made in the past. I couldn’t bear to see him hurt again. But you, young lady—you surprised me. You passed every test. And now, I have no doubts left." A warm smile softened his features. "You are the right woman for him. I have no objection to your place in his life. But don’t think you are off the hook just yet. Now that you have earned my approval, I expect a great-grandchild soon." Anne’s face instantly flushed a deep pink, her confidence crumbling under the sudden shift in tone. She dropped her gaze, too embarrassed to meet his eyes, her hands awkwardly clasped in front of her. Dimitri chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. "I have something for you." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. "I meant to give this to you at the party," he continued, a hint of regret in his voice. "But with everything that happened, the timing slipped away." He extended the box toward Anne. "It’s just a small gift. I hope you’ll accept it."

Chapter 180: Dimitri’s gift (Part 1)

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