Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 233

CHAPTER 167 PART 2

“So they’ll commit everything to this fight,” Bridger continued. “They’ll risk their lives, their families, their entire legacies to get revenge. Because for them, it’s not about profit anymore. It’s existential.”

Vincent Cross spoke for the first time, his voice thoughtful. “But for us, it’s just money. We lost ransoms. We lost Black Wind Bar. We lost our Grayson City expansion. All of it can be recovered. None of it is worth dying for.”

“Exactly,” Bridger confirmed. “Those magnates in there are tigers fighting over a meal. They’re wounded, angry, desperate. And Stanislaus was trying to trick us into becoming their hunting dog-sent first into danger while they hang back and preserve their own strength.”

Maurice’s expression shifted as understanding dawned. “If we commit to the alliance…”

“We become the primary attackers,” Bridger finished. “Three Blade Group gets to test Marcus Steel’s defenses. Gets to discover his capabilities. Gets to lose men and resources while the others watch and learn from our mistakes. And if we succeed? The Lancaster and Potter families claim credit and demand the lion’s share of whatever territory Marcus controlled. If we fail? We’re weakened, possibly destroyed, and they simply try different tactics.”

“But the profit from Grayson City-” Maurice started.

“Will still be there in six months,” Bridger interrupted. “Let the tigers fight first. Let them exhaust themselves against Marcus Steel. One of three things will happen: Marcus wins and destroys them, weakening the province’s power structure and creating opportunities for us to expand. The magnates win but are severely depleted, creating the same opportunities. Or both sides destroy each other, and Three Blade Group emerges as the strongest organization in the region by doing absolutely nothing.”

Maurice was silent for a long moment, processing this strategic calculus. “You’re suggesting we play the oriole.”

“While they play the mantis,” Bridger confirmed. “Let the mantis hunt the cicada. The oriole waits behind.”

“But if Marcus Steel wins,” Maurice pointed out, “we’ll have made an enemy of the Lancaster and Potter families by refusing to help.”

“If Marcus Steel wins against the combined might of this province’s elite families,” Vincent said quietly, “then the Lancaster and Potter families will be too destroyed to retaliate against anyone. And we’ll be intact, untouched, ready to negotiate with whoever’s left standing.”

“And if the magnates win?” Maurice asked.

“Then we extend congratulations, offer to help stabilize the province, and profit from the reconstruction,” Bridger replied. “We’re not their enemy-we’re neutral observers who wisely avoided unnecessary risk. They can’t fault us for that without appearing unreasonable.”

Maurice walked to the office window, looking out at Five-River Province’s nighttime skyline. Somewhere out there, Marcus Steel was preparing for the siege he knew was coming. And in the conference room they’d just left, powerful men were plotting his destruction.

“It goes against every instinct,” Maurice admitted. “Sitting back while others fight. Passing up immediate profit. Trusting that patience will be rewarded.”

“That’s why most men die poor and angry,” Bridger said bluntly. “They can’t resist short-term temptation even when long-term strategy demands restraint. You’re better than that, Maurice. We all are.”

Maurice turned from the window, his decision crystallizing. “Fine. Three Blade Group maintains neutrality. We

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observe, we wait, and we position ourselves to benefit regardless of the outcome.”

“Smart choice,” Vincent approved.

“But if this goes wrong-” Maurice started.

“It won’t,” Bridger said with confidence. “Trust me. The magnates in that room are already defeated-they just don’t know it yet. Marcus Steel has been three steps ahead of everyone since he arrived in this province. That doesn’t happen by accident or luck. That happens because he has backing and power they haven’t recognized yet.”

Before Maurice could respond, voices echoed from the corridor outside. All three men fell silent, listening.

The conference room door opened again. New footsteps-multiple people, moving with purpose.

Through the frosted glass of the office door, they saw silhouettes passing by. At the center, a figure they recognized even in shadow.

Miguel Abbott.

The patriarch of the Abbott Family had arrived at the Domenico Building.

“There’s the real test,” Bridger whispered. “If Miguel Abbott is here, it means he’s not backing down. Not surrendering Marcus Steel. Not negotiating.”

“He’s declaring his position,” Vincent realized. “Publicly. In front of all the magnates.”

Maurice’s jaw tightened. “This is about to get very messy.”

“For everyone except us,” Bridger corrected. “Because we’re not in that conference room anymore. We’re here. Watching. Waiting.”

The three men of Three Blade Group stood in silence as Miguel Abbott’s footsteps faded down the corridor, heading toward the conference room where the province’s most powerful families waited to deliver their ultimatum.

The siege was escalating.

The battle lines were being drawn.

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