Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 203

CHAPTER 153 PART 1

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the financial district as Marcus Steel’s vehicle pulled to a stop two blocks from the Willson Building. He didn’t exit immediately, his dragon eyes studying the structure through the tinted window with calculated precision.

Twenty-three stories of forgotten potential. Prime location. Solid bones beneath the decay.

“You’re not going inside?” Miguel Abbott asked from the driver’s seat.

“Not yet.” Marcus’s voice was thoughtful. “Sometimes you learn more from watching than touching. The building’s been here twenty years. It can wait another day.”

His dragon senses swept the area-measuring foot traffic patterns, assessing neighboring properties, calculating sight lines and access points. The Willson Building wasn’t just real estate. It was a statement waiting to be made.

After five silent minutes, Marcus leaned back. “I’ve seen enough. Take me back to Pearl on the Water.”

Miguel pulled away from the curb, curiosity burning in his eyes but wisdom keeping his mouth shut. The Dragon King revealed his plans when ready, not before.

The lobby of Pearl on the Water hummed with its usual afternoon activity when Marcus entered. Wealthy guests moved through the space with practiced entitlement, while staff hustled to meet their every demand.

One particular waiter caught Marcus’s attention-young, well-dressed, but with downcast eyes and hunched shoulders that screamed recent humiliation. The man carried a tray of drinks with shaking hands, nearly dropping it when an irritated guest snapped orders at him.

“That’s Dalton Martin,” Miguel explained quietly. “My nephew. The one who-”

“The one who harassed Elize Yarrow and tried to drug her drink,” Marcus finished. “I remember breaking a bottle

over his head.”

“Yes.” Miguel’s expression was carefully neutral. “After that incident, I had him stripped of his position in the family business. He’s working off his debt as service staff now. It seemed…. appropriate.”

Marcus studied Dalton for a long moment. The young man had been arrogant, entitled, stupid. But watching him now-genuinely working, genuinely humbled showed potential for growth.

“How long has he been doing this?” Marcus asked.

“Two weeks. He tries to quit every day. I refuse to let him.”

“Good.” Marcus’s approval was subtle but real. “A man who’s never tasted the bottom doesn’t appreciate the top Keep him there another month. Then we’ll see if he’s learned anything.”

Miguel’s eyes widened slightly. “You’re considering using him?”

“Maybe. If he proves he can follow orders and control his impulses.” Marcus’s dragon eyes followed Dalton across the lobby. “Talent isn’t rare, Miguel. Loyalty is. A man who’s been broken and rebuilt is biten more loyal than one who’s never fallen.”

“That’s… surprisingly merciful.”

“It’s practical,” Marcus corrected. “When I build my empire, I’ll need people in every position. Even the ones who start at the bottom. If your nephew can transform his humiliation into motivation, he might be useful.”

Miguel nodded slowly, filing this information away. The Dragon King wasn’t just thinking about today’s battles.

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He was already planning tomorrow’s victories.

They’d barely reached the elevator when the hotel’s entrance doors burst open with unnecessary force

Ives Abbott stormed in like a tornado in designer heels, her face flushed with emotion, her expensive handbag clutched so tightly her knuckles were white. Hotel staff scrambled out of her path instinctively.

“Where is he?” Her voice carried across the lobby. “Where’s Marcus Steel?”

Miguel groaned. “Not again.”

Marcus turned, his expression carefully blank as Ives spotted him and marched forward with dangerous determination.

“You!” She jabbed a finger at his chest, stopping just short of actually touching him. “You have some nerve!”

“Ives.” Marcus’s tone was flat. “What do you want?”

“What do I want?” Her laugh was slightly manic. “I want to know why my father is terrified to even mention your name! I want to know why he paid nine billion-NINE BILLION-just to get me back from you! I want to know who the hell you really are!”

Several hotel guests had stopped to watch the spectacle. Miguel looked ready to have her forcibly removed.

Marcus remained perfectly calm. “Your father paid because he values you. That’s what fathers do.”

“Bullshit!” Ives’s voice cracked. “My father values the family business. He values reputation. He values profit margins. He doesn’t value me enough to sneeze without calculating the cost!” She stepped closer, her eyes searching his face. “But you… he’s actually scared of you. I’ve never seen him scared of anyone.”

“Then maybe you should leave before you give him another reason to be,” Marcus suggested coldly.

“No.” Ives straightened her shoulders. “I’m done being the obedient daughter. Done being shuffled around like a business asset. Wesley Hartford was weak and pathetic. Atlas Lancaster was controlling and cruel. But you paused, something shifting in her expression. “You’re different.”

“I’m married,” Marcus said immediately.

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