Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 201

CHAPTER 152 PART 1

The Willson Building stood like a sleeping giant in Five-River Province’s financial district. Twenty-three stories of art deco architecture, its windows dark and empty, its facade weathered by years of neglect. Yet even in abandonment, it commanded respect-a monument to ambition waiting to be awakened.

Marcus stood across the street, hands in his pockets, his dragon eyes cataloging every detail. The structural integrity was solid despite appearances. The location was perfect. The potential was limitless.

“It looks like a graveyard,” Miguel Abbott commented beside him, squinting up at the building. “Are you sure about this?”

“Completely.” Marcus’s voice held no doubt. “Give it six months. You won’t recognize it.”

“Six months?” Miguel laughed nervously. “Boss, a project this size takes years. The permits alone-”

“Will be fast-tracked,” Marcus interrupted. “I have people handling that. By this time next year, the Willson Building will be the most powerful address in Five-River Province.”

Miguel studied Marcus’s profile, seeing absolute conviction there. “You really believe that.”

“I don’t believe it. I know it.” Marcus turned away from the building. “Come on. We have other matters to address.

11

Back at Pearl on the Water, Allen Mitchell was waiting in the lobby. The security chief bowed slightly as Marcus approached.

“Mr. Steel. Everything’s been quiet since this morning. No further incidents.”

“Good.” Marcus paused. “Allen, you’ve been efficient. Loyal. Miguel speaks highly of your work.”

Allen straightened slightly, surprised by the praise. “Thank you, sir. I simply do my job.”

“You do it well.” Marcus’s dragon eyes assessed him carefully. “How would you feel about a position with broader responsibilities? Once the Willson Building project begins, I’ll need people I can trust in key positions.”

Allen’s expression remained professional, but his eyes widened fractionally. “Sir, I’m honored. But I work for Mr. Abbott-”

“Who works with me now,” Marcus finished. “I’m not asking you to betray anyone. I’m offering you an opportunity to grow beyond security work. Think about it.”

“I… I will, sir.” Allen bowed again, clearly overwhelmed.

As Marcus moved toward the elevator, a commotion erupted near the entrance. A young woman pushed past the front desk staff, her designer clothes disheveled, her eyes red from crying.

“Where is he?” she demanded. “Where’s Marcus Steel?”

Allen moved to intercept her, but Marcus raised a hand. “Let her through.”

Ives Abbott stumbled forward, her face a mixture of anger and desperation. When she saw Marcus, she froze.

“You,” she breathed. “You ruined everything.”

“Ives.” Marcus’s tone was neutral. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I-” She laughed bitterly. “My father paid nine billion to get me back! Nine billion! Do you have any

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idea how humiliated I am? How everyone’s looking at me now?”

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“You’re alive and safe,” Marcus replied. “That’s more than you deserved after the stunt you pulled with Cesar Pendleton’s men.”

“I was trying to—” Ives stopped herself, her expression shifting. “You know what? I’m not here to argue about that.” She took a breath, composing herself. “I came to say… thank you.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow. “Thank you?”

“Atlas Lancaster would have married me,” Ives said quietly. “Would have married me and made my life hell just to get at my family’s resources. You stopped that. However you did it, whatever your reasons-you stopped it.”

“I didn’t do it for you,” Marcus said bluntly.

“I know.” Ives smiled sadly. “You did it to hurt Atlas. But the result’s the same. I’m free of him.” She paused. “And I realized something. My ex-boyfriend-the one before Atlas-he was weak. Pathetic. Always trying to please everyone, never standing up for anything. But you…”

“Don’t,” Marcus warned.

“You’re a real man,” Ives finished. “The kind who doesn’t bow to anyone. Who takes what he wants and destroys what stands in his way. That’s… that’s actually attractive.”

Miguel coughed awkwardly. Allen suddenly found the ceiling fascinating.

Marcus’s expression didn’t change. “Ives, I’m married. Happily. And even if I wasn’t, you’re not my type.”

“Because I’m not strong enough?” Ives’s eyes flashed. “Not cold enough? Not like that ice queen wife of yours?”

“Because you’re impulsive, dramatic, and exhausting,” Marcus said flatly. “Now, if you’re done embarrassing yourself, I have work to do.”

Ives flinched as if slapped. Then, surprisingly, she laughed. “You really don’t pull punches, do you?”

“Never saw the point.”

“Fine.” Ives straightened her shoulders. “Then let me be useful instead of annoying. There’s something you should know. Elize Yarrow is throwing a party tonight. Some kind of ‘reconciliation gathering’ with her friends. But I heard from my sources that Atlas Lancaster is planning to show up.”

Marcus’s attention sharpened. “Atlas is going after her?”

“Of course he is.” Ives’s voice turned bitter. “She humiliated him publicly. Broke a beer bottle over his head. You think someone like Atlas would let that go? He’s probably planning to make an example of her.”

“When and where?”

“Riverside Estate. Eight PM. It’s supposed to be private, but Atlas has connections everywhere. He’ll get in.” Ives hesitated. “Are you going to help her?”

“Why do you care?”

“Because Elize is annoying and shallow, but she doesn’t deserve what Atlas will do to her.” Ives met Marcus’s eyes. “And because it’s partly your fault she’s in this mess. You used her to hurt Atlas, remember?”

213

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