Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 255

CHAPTER 177 PART 2

Miles nodded curtly and walked toward the hospital exit, her mind already calculating next moves. The other disciples had remained at the hospital-Celeste coordinating with Maurice’s staff, the Western fighters nursing their own injuries from Marcus’s brutal efficiency.

But Miles felt pulled elsewhere.

Back to Pearl on the Water. Back to the man who’d humiliated them.

Not for revenge-she understood her own limitations now, understood that attacking Marcus Steel again would end the same way the first encounter had. But curiosity burned hotter than pride. She needed to understand what she’d faced. Needed to comprehend the Dragon King.

The drive back to Pearl on the Water took twenty minutes. Miguel Abbott’s surveillance teams noted her approach immediately-lone vehicle, single occupant, no obvious weapons or backup.

“Boss,” one of Allen’s bodyguards reported through his earpiece. “The woman from earlier-Finley Monroe- she’s returned. Alone. Approaching the main entrance now.”

Marcus, still standing by the window, smiled slightly. “Let her in.”

“Sir, she could be carrying-”

“I know what she could be carrying,” Marcus interrupted. “Let her in anyway.”

The bodyguards positioned themselves strategically as Finley entered Pearl on the Water’s lobby. She moved with the same fluid confidence as before, though now tempered by caution born from experience. Her eyes scanned the security personnel, noting positions and readiness, before settling on Marcus as he descended from the upper levels.

“Mr. Steel,” she said formally.

“Miss Monroe,” Marcus replied. “This is unexpected. I assumed you’d be at your young master’s bedside.”

“Others can provide that service,” Finley said. “I had questions that needed answering.”

“Questions,” Marcus repeated. “About what?”

Finley hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “About you. About what happened earlier. About what’s about to happen when Branch Manager Springs arrives.”

“Warnings?” Marcus asked mildly. “Threats disguised as courtesy?”

“Information,” Finley corrected. “I’m a disciple of Maurice Springs. Have been for six years. I know his capabilities, his resources, his reputation. When he arrives-and he will arrive within hours-he’ll bring forces sufficient to level this hotel and everyone in it.”

“That’s not a warning,” Marcus observed. “That’s a threat.”

“It’s reality,” Finley said. “Branch Manager Springs is not Quantez. He’s not Tyson or Celeste or any of us. He’s genuinely dangerous. Trained by Willson Pavilion’s finest instructors. Combat experience across three continents. Political connections that can mobilize governments. When he comes for you, it won’t be arrogant posturing. It will be professional execution.”

Marcus studied her for a long moment, his dragon eyes reading micro-expressions and body language. “Why are you telling me this?”

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“Because” Finley paused, clearly struggling with something internal. “Because during our fight, you showed mercy. You could have broken my arm. Could have crushed my throat. Could have killed me as easily as you destroyed the others. But you didn’t.”

“And?”

“And I’m trying to understand why,” Finley admitted. “You’re clearly capable of overwhelming force. Your speed, your strength, your reflexes-they’re beyond anything I’ve encountered. Yet you held back with me. Why?”

Marcus’s expression revealed nothing. “Maybe I saw potential worth preserving.”

“Or maybe,” Finley said quietly, “you weren’t even trying. Maybe what we experienced tonight wasn’t your full strength. Maybe you were testing us, measuring us, and we failed so completely that you didn’t even need to exert yourself.”

The silence that followed her words was profound.

Marcus didn’t confirm or deny. He simply looked at her with dragon eyes that suggested she’d touched something closer to truth than comfort.

“My master arrives soon,” Finley continued, her voice gaining urgency. “When he does, there won’t be testing or measuring. There will be killing. And I’m warning you now-as someone who owes you for mercy shown-that you need to leave. Tonight. Before he lands. Because if you stay, you die.”

“No,” Marcus said simply.

“You don’t understand-”

“I understand perfectly,” Marcus interrupted. “Maurice Springs is powerful. Trained. Dangerous. He’ll arrive expecting victory and revenge. And he’ll die disappointed. That’s reality, Miss Monroe. Everything else is just speculation.”

Finley stared at him, searching for arrogance or delusion and finding only calm certainty. The same certainty that had let him face her attack without fear. The same certainty that had let him threaten the Pavilion Master himself.

“You really believe you can beat him,” she whispered.

“I know I can,” Marcus corrected.

“Then you’re either the most powerful fighter I’ve ever encountered,” Finley said slowly, “or you’re about to become the deadest fool in Five-River Province.”

“I guess we’ll find out soon,” Marcus replied. “Anything else?”

Finley shook her head, recognizing dismissal when she heard it. She turned toward the exit, paused, then looked back one final time.

“For what it’s worth,” she said quietly, “I hope you survive. The world needs more people who show mercy when they don’t have to.”

She left without waiting for a response.

Miguel appeared beside Marcus moments later. “What do you think that was about?”

“Curiosity,” Marcus said. “And maybe the beginning of doubt. She’s starting to question whether her master is as invincible as she’s been taught to believe.”

“Is he?”

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Marcus smiled-cold and predatory. “No. He’s not.”

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