Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Peyton sat across the table, nervously picking at the two dishes nearest to her, savoring flavors she'd only dreamed of. The man who whipped up these amazing meals was not just wealthy and good-looking but also kind and a whiz in the kitchen. How on earth was he still single? Throughout dinner, Peyton mostly kept quiet, struggling to find something to talk about. The six dishes were devoured, with Dustin taking only a few bites himself, as he was busy serving Emma and Peyton.

Peyton felt too shy to dig in heartily, and Dustin, worried she might not eat enough, kept piling food onto her plate. "Auntie, just eat like you normally do, have some more," he encouraged her.

The Moll family hadn't had a man around for ages, and Peyton couldn't help but think how great it would be if Dustin and Emma got hitched. A man like him must be in high demand elsewhere too. Emma was flustered by Dustin's thoughtful gestures, especially when he peeled fruit for her, calling her name with each offering. Really, who could resist that?

In the afternoon, Dustin switched to work mode, speaking with the top dogs at Infinity Brilliance about working with other companies in North America, all in smooth, charming English. Peyton was captivated, pulling Emma aside to whisper, "Emma, let's be real. He's out of our league."

Emma felt a mix of amusement and self-doubt. She had always loved English, nearly acing her exams, but resources in their small town were limited, and even their English teachers struggled with pronunciation. Dustin's English, on the other hand, was a delight to listen to.

The gap between their worlds was becoming more apparent. After his meeting, Dustin took Emma for a walk in the garden, saying it was good for the baby. Emma could see he was genuinely excited about the baby, which was a relief for her.

Dustin had a knack for charming women, and for a whole month, he was always around, cooking and spending every spare moment with Emma. She went from feeling awkward to getting used to, and then depending on his presence.

A week before her due date, Dustin suddenly stopped coming by. Emma waited at the villa, but he never showed. Checking her phone, she found a message from him saying he had to rush to North America for urgent business but had arranged for a nanny to help out.

Dustin had thought of everything from baby clothes to outfits for Emma and Peyton for every season, leaving nothing to chance. His attentiveness was impossible to overlook.

Emma had grown so accustomed to him being there that she kept glancing at the door, half-expecting him to walk in at any moment, a worrying sign.

Meanwhile, Dustin arrived in North

America to a tense atmosphere, his

bodyguards unable to locate a missing person. "It's probably an obsessed fan. Considering dal's rising fame and them spotting you two at the airport, they couldn't résist," one bodyguard suggested.

"Use all of the Lynch family's resources. Find her," Dustin ordered.

By evening, they found her, badly injured but alive. Rushing to the hospital, Dustin saw Clare looking pale but stable, her ordeal ending with a tumble down some stairs.

He sat by her bed, waiting until Clare awoke, her eyes tearing up when she saw him. "Dustin, I was so scared," she said, her voice a mix of relief and fear.

Dustin gently reminded her of the

need for personal security,

especially with her career taking off. Clare, grateful and relieved,

expressed how terrified she was of never seeing him again.

Their reunion blended professional concern with personal relief, highlighting the intricate ties of their lives.