Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 228

CHAPTER 165 PART 1

Pearl on the Water Hotel had transformed overnight into something resembling a military fortress. The elegant entrance-normally welcoming wealthy guests with soft lighting and discrete service-now featured armed security guards in tactical gear, metal detectors at every entrance, and surveillance cameras that tracked every movement within a hundred-yard radius.

Miguel Abbott stood at the main gates, his expensive suit rumpled from hours of wearing it without rest, his normally composed expression replaced by barely controlled anxiety. He checked his watch for the hundredth time, then his phone, then scanned the street again.

“Where the hell are they?” he muttered to Allen, who stood beside him with professional calm despite the chaos.

“Mr. Steel said twenty minutes for cleanup, then they’d return directly,” Allen replied. “It’s been eighteen.”

Miguel’s phone buzzed-the twentieth call in the past hour. He glanced at the screen and grimaced. “Malcolm Potter. That’s the third time he’s called.”

“Are you going to answer?”

“What’s the point?” Miguel’s laugh was bitter. “He’s just going to tell me the same thing everyone else has been telling me. Cut ties with Marcus Steel. Hand him over to the Lancasters. Save the Abbott Family while there’s still time.”

“Sir, with respect-maybe you should consider-”

“Consider what?” Miguel turned on his head of security with uncharacteristic sharpness. “Betraying the Dragon King? After everything? After I’ve already chosen my side?”

Allen fell silent. In the distance, headlights appeared-their SUV, finally returning.

Miguel’s phone buzzed again. This time he answered, pressing it to his ear with resignation. “Malcolm.”

“Miguel!” Malcolm Potter’s voice was sharp with urgency. “Tell me the rumors aren’t true. Tell me Marcus Steel didn’t actually break Atlas Lancaster’s leg.”

“I can’t tell you that,” Miguel replied quietly.

Silence on the other end. Then: “Jesus Christ, Miguel. Do you have any idea what you’ve done? What you’ve gotten your family into?”

“I have some idea, yes.”

“Some idea?” Malcolm’s voice rose. “The Lancaster Family is one of the Four Great Families! They have connections across the entire province! Political power, business influence, underground networks-they can destroy you, Miguel! Completely! And you’re protecting the man who crippled their heir?”

“I’m standing with someone who stood with me,” Miguel corrected. “That’s how loyalty works.”

“Loyalty?” Malcolm laughed harshly. “Marcus Steel has been in Five – River Province for what-three days? And you’re risking everything your family has built over generations for three days of acquaintance?”

“It’s not about time,” Miguel said, watching the SUV pull through the gates. “It’s about power. Real power. The kind that doesn’t bow to threats or family names.”

“You’ve lost your mind,” Malcolm declared. “The Lancasters aren’t the only ones coming for you. Cesar Pendleton wants revenge for what Marcus did to him. The Potter Family can’t associate with someone who’s made enemies

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of half the province. Even the Three Blade Group is talking about taking a position against Marcus Steel.”

“Let them talk,” Miguel said quietly.

“Miguel-”

“I’ve made my choice, Malcolm. I’m standing with the Dragon King. Tell whoever asks that the Abbott Family’s position is firm.”

He ended the call.

The SUV doors opened. Ives stepped out first, her face pale, her hands still trembling slightly. Then Marcus emerged-calm, composed, a small bandage visible on his shoulder where Allen had provided field treatment.

Miguel rushed forward. “Are you injured?”

“Graze,” Marcus replied dismissively. “Already cleaned and dressed. It’ll heal in a day.”

“A day?” Miguel repeated. “Boss, you were shot-”

“Grazed,” Marcus corrected. “And my healing is faster than normal. Don’t worry about it.”

Ives finally spoke, her voice shaking. “Father, Shadow Warriors attacked us. On the way back. Four of them. Professional killers.”

Miguel’s face went white. “What? When? How-”

“They’re dead,” Marcus interrupted calmly. “All four. Bodies disposed of. Allen handled the cleanup. It’s not an issue.”

“Not an issue?” Miguel’s voice cracked. “Boss, Shadow Warriors attacking you on the way to my hotel is absolutely an issue! The Lancaster Family is moving faster than I expected! If they’re willing to risk open assassination this quickly-”

“They didn’t send them,” Marcus said.

Miguel stopped mid-panic. “What?”

“The Lancaster Family didn’t send those assassins,” Marcus repeated. “They were bounty hunters. The Dalton Brothers–professionals who work for money, not loyalty. Someone put a price on my head, and they tried to

collect.”

“A bounty?” Miguel’s mind raced, “How much?”

“Fifty thousand alive, thirty dead,” Marcus said with complete calm, as if discussing the weather. “Apparently I’m worth more than most targets.”

“Jesus,” Miguel breathed. “If there’s a bounty that high, every contractor in the region will come for you. Dozens of them. Maybe hundreds.”

“Probably,” Marcus agreed.

“And you’re not concerned?”

“Why would I be?” Marcus’s dragon eyes met Miguel’s directly. “They’ll come. They’ll try. They’ll die. Just like the Dalton Brothers did. Eventually, word will spread that the bounty isn’t worth the risk.”

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