Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 242

CHAPTER 172 PART 1

The conference room at the Domenico Building remained frozen in tableau-Miguel Abbott standing with his hand on the dead man’s switch, his bodyguards similarly equipped with explosive vests, and Five-River Province’s most powerful magnates paralyzed by fear and the realization that their wealth meant nothing against someone willing to die.

But what truly unsettled them was watching Miguel Abbott’s behavior toward Marcus Steel.

The chairman of Moonlight Group-a man who controlled billions in assets, who commanded respect from senators and governors, who’d built an empire spanning multiple industries-stood slightly behind Marcus like a subordinate awaiting orders. His body language was unmistakable: deference, respect, genuine submission to authority.

“This is impossible,” Douglas Reed whispered to the magnate beside him. “Miguel Abbott doesn’t defer to anyone. Not even the provincial governor gets that level of respect from him.”

But the evidence was undeniable. When Marcus moved, Miguel adjusted his position to maintain appropriate distance. When Marcus spoke, Miguel fell silent immediately. The hierarchy was clear and absolute.

Marcus Steel stepped to the center of the conference room, his dragon aura still manifesting as pressure that made breathing difficult. His eyes swept across the assembled magnates-men who’d gathered with the intention of destroying him, now reduced to frightened spectators.

“I’m going to make this very simple,” Marcus said, his voice calm but carrying absolute authority. “Everyone in this room came here planning to move against me. To destroy the Dragon King. To eliminate the threat I represent to your comfortable little power structure.”

He paused, letting that sink in.

“So let me save you all some time and energy. Come at me. All of you. Together if you want-that would actually be more efficient. Bring everything you have. Every resource. Every connection. Every weapon in your considerable arsenals. Attack me here in Five-River Province with your full strength.”

The challenge hung in the air like a physical thing.

“But understand this,” Marcus continued, his dragon eyes hardening. “Once you make that decision, there’s no turning back. No negotiations. No mercy. No surrender. You commit to destroying me, and I commit to destroying everyone who stands against me. Completely. Permanently. So choose carefully.”

Cesar Pendleton found his voice, though it shook. “You’re one man. You can’t seriously think-”

“I’m the Dragon King,” Marcus interrupted. “And I’ve already proven what that means. Ask the Dalton Brothers. Oh wait–you can’t, because they’re dead. Ask Atlas Lancaster about his leg. Ask Cesar Pendleton about being stripped naked in a public park. Ask anyone who’s opposed me how that worked out for them.”

He turned toward the exit. “You have your warning. What you do with it is your choice. But make it quickly-I don’t have patience for cowards who threaten but never act.”

Miguel Abbott followed immediately, his bodyguards maintaining formation around both men. The explosive vests remained visible, the dead man’s switches still clutched in ready hands.

As they reached the conference room doors, Marcus paused and looked back one final time.

“Oh, and for those of you considering moving against Miguel Abbott instead-thinking you can hurt me through him-understand that the Abbott Family is under my protection now. Touching them means touching me. And

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we’ve already established how well that works out.”

The doors closed behind them with a soft click that somehow felt final.

For several seconds, nobody in the conference room moved or spoke. Then Maurice Yarrow stood abruptly.

“I have urgent business matters requiring my immediate attention,” he announced, his exit clearly planned.” Three Blade Group needs to address several critical issues that have suddenly become priorities.”

“I as well,” another magnate said quickly. “Supply chain problems. Can’t be delayed.”

“Family emergency,” a third claimed. “My son is sick. I need to-”

The exodus began. One by one, the powerful men who’d gathered to plot Marcus Steel’s destruction found excuses –some plausible, some transparently false-to leave the Domenico Building as quickly as possible. Within five minutes, only Stanislaus Potter and the Lancaster family members remained.

Stanislaus touched his jaw where Marcus had struck him, his fingers coming away with fresh blood. His expression was cold, calculating, processing everything that had just happened.

“Mr. Potter,” Thomas Lancaster tried carefully. “Perhaps we could discuss-”

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