Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11 PART 1

The bedroom Marcus now occupied felt more like a prison cell than living quarters-sparse, impersonal, stripped of anything that might suggest two people shared this space as husband and wife. Quinn had made it abundantly clear: separate rooms, separate lives, a marriage that existed only on paper and in public performances.

Tonight was one of those performances.

Quinn stood in the doorway, elegant in a navy business dress that probably cost more than Marcus used to earn in three months. Her Saintess aura was carefully dimmed, professional rather than divine, but her expression carried the same cold indifference it always did when looking at him.

“My colleague is hosting a company dinner at Azure Pierce Hotel,” she said without preamble. “We need to attend together. As a couple.”

Marcus looked up from the book he’d been reading-an ancient text on dragon cultivation that Seraphine had provided. “A couple.”

“We have an agreement,” Quinn reminded him, her voice flat. “You’ll play your part as my devoted husband in front of others. That’s what you signed up for when you accepted the one-year arrangement.”

“Devoted husband,” Marcus repeated, tasting the irony. “Right. What time?”

“Six o’clock. We’ll take my car. And Marcus?” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Try to look presentable. Don’t

embarrass me.”

She left without waiting for a response.

Marcus returned to his book, but Sovereign Draxis stirred in his consciousness, the dragon spirit radiating barely contained fury at the disrespect. Patience, Marcus thought to himself. One year. Then they’ll all learn what it means to underestimate a Dragon King.

The Azure Pierce Hotel rose like a glass and steel monument to corporate excess in the heart of the city’s business district. Luxury cars lined the entrance as executives and managers arrived for various events, their designer clothes and expensive jewelry glittering under the hotel’s dramatic lighting.

Quinn pulled her Mercedes into the valet circle, and Marcus noticed how her entire demeanor shifted the moment they stepped out of the car. Her hand slipped through his arm-the first physical contact they’d had in days-and her smile appeared warm and genuine for any observers.

The performance had begun.

“Remember,” she murmured as they walked toward the entrance, her smile never wavering, “you’re my loving, supportive husband. Try to act like it.”

Marcus said nothing, just placed his hand over hers on his arm and played his role.

The moment they entered the private banquet hall reserved for Hartford Group’s gathering, the whispers

started.

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“That’s Quinn Hartford… and her husband.”

“Can you believe she actually brought him? I thought she’d have the sense to leave the deadweight at

home.”

“Poor thing, having to pretend that marriage isn’t a complete disaster…”

Marcus’s enhanced hearing picked up every word, every snide comment, every poisonous assumption. Quinn’s grip on his arm tightened slightly-she heard them too, he realized, and it bothered her. Not because they were attacking him, but because they were questioning her judgment in marrying him.

“Quinn!” A woman in her forties approached, her smile sharp enough to cut glass. “So glad you could make it! And you brought Marcus, how… sweet.”

“Jessica,” Quinn greeted her coolly. “Thank you for organizing this.”

“Of course, darling. Though I have to say-” Jessica’s eyes swept over Marcus with barely concealed contempt, “-you’re looking tired lately. All that stress from the project manager promotion must be exhausting. And managing… everything else.” The pause before ‘everything else’ spoke volumes.

“I’m managing just fine,” Quinn said, her professional mask firmly in place.

“I’m sure you are.” Jessica’s smile turned vicious. “Though I did hear some interesting rumors about how you secured that promotion. Something about Skyler Reed being very supportive of your advancement?”

The implication hit like a slap. Marcus felt Quinn’s entire body go rigid beside him.

“That’s absolutely ridiculous,” Quinn said, her voice ice cold. “Mr. Reed promoted me based on merit and performance.”

“Oh, I’m sure that’s one way to describe it,” another voice chimed in-Robert Chen, one of Oliver’s closest allies in the company. “Though we all know how these things really work. Pretty Saintess, powerful executive, late nights at the office…”

Laughter rippled through the nearby group. Cruel, knowing laughter.

“Careful, Robert,” someone else added with mock sympathy. “Marcus here might get jealous. Though I suppose he’s used to it by now, being married to someone so… ambitious.”

Marcus felt Quinn’s nails dig into his arm through his jacket. Her Saintess aura flickered with barely suppressed rage, but her face remained composed. Three years of maintaining appearances had taught her control.

“Where’s Oliver?” Quinn asked, changing the subject with forced calm. “I expected to see him here.”

“Oh, poor Oliver,” Jessica sighed dramatically. “Didn’t you hear? He had a terrible accident last night. Fell down some stairs, broke his nose, cracked a few ribs. He’s here somewhere, but he’s in quite a state.”

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CHAPTER 11 PART 2

Marcus kept his expression neutral, but internally, he noted the lie. Oliver’s injuries weren’t from falling- they were from Dominic Martinez’s fists, punishment for hiring Bruno King. Interesting that Oliver was

covering it up.

As if summoned by the mention of his name, Oliver Hartford limped into view. His face was a canvas of purple and yellow bruises barely concealed by makeup. His nose was clearly broken despite the medical tape, and he moved with the careful stiffness of someone with cracked ribs.

His eyes locked onto Marcus, and pure hatred blazed in them.

“Quinn,” Oliver said, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. “Cousin. So glad you could make it to Jessica’s dinner.”

“Oliver, what happened to you?” Quinn asked, concern flickering across her features-probably the most genuine emotion Marcus had seen from her all night.

“Just a stupid accident,” Oliver waved it off, but his gaze never left Marcus. “Fell down some stairs in the dark. Clumsy of me.”

“You should be more careful,” Marcus said quietly.

“Oh, I intend to be,” Oliver replied, his voice carrying an edge that promised retribution. “Much more careful in the future.”

The tension between them was palpable. Quinn looked between them, confusion evident, but before she could ask questions, Jessica clapped her hands for attention.

“Everyone! Let’s get settled! I’ve got some wonderful news to share about the venue arrangement-”

“Actually,” Oliver interrupted, his bruised face splitting into a malicious grin, “I think Quinn has some news to share first. Don’t you, cousin?”

Quinn’s expression clouded with confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“The venue for Jaxon Brand’s birthday celebration,” Oliver said loudly, making sure everyone could hear.” You promised you’d secure the Azure Pierce’s Grand Ballroom for the company event, remember? I believe you were quite confident about your… connections.”

Quinn’s face went pale. “I never promised-”

“Oh, but you did!” Robert Chen jumped in, pulling out his phone. “I have the email right here. Sent two weeks ago. You said, and I quote, ‘I’ll handle the venue arrangements. The Azure Pierce Grand Ballroom will be perfect for Mr. Brand’s celebration.””

Whispers erupted around the room.

“Wait, Jaxon Brand’s party is tonight?”

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“The Grand Ballroom is completely booked-I tried to get a table there last month and they were fully

reserved!”

“Did Quinn really promise something she couldn’t deliver?”

“This is going to be a disaster…”

Quinn’s jaw clenched. “That email was taken out of context. I said I would inquire about the possibility-”

“Funny,” Oliver said, his voice dripping with false sympathy. “Because the email notification went out at three p.m. today telling everyone to arrive at the Azure Pierce for Mr. Brand’s party. But you didn’t call anyone to clarify or cancel until after four. Almost like you were hoping the problem would just… go away?”

The crowd’s murmurs grew louder, more hostile.

“She probably thought she could use Skyler Reed’s influence at the last minute,” someone muttered.

“Or maybe Alexander Grant would bail her out-seems like he’s been doing a lot of that lately.”

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