Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

Quinn took a breath, trying to find words that would satisfy her parents without revealing too much. But before she could speak, Marcus stepped forward calmly.

“The company held a dinner to celebrate Quinn’s promotion to project manager,” Marcus said, his voice steady and matter-of-fact. “It was a professional event for Hartford Group leadership.”

Quinn seized the explanation gratefully. “Yes, exactly. The dinner was specifically for executives involved in the Titan Group partnership. It was… professional.”

Karen’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “A celebration dinner? At Azure Pierce’s Imperial Hall? That doesn’t sound like Hartford Group’s usual style.”

“And you’re telling me,” Brandon added, his tone sharp, “that a simple celebration dinner resulted in over a million dollars in damages?”

“The Brand family’s heir attended,” Quinn said carefully. “There was… an incident. But it had nothing to do with Marcus or me directly.”

Karen pulled out her phone immediately. “I’m calling your grandfather. He’ll tell us the truth.”

She dialed, and everyone could hear Zachary Hartford’s voice when he answered-strained, exhausted, absolutely

livid.

“What NOW?” Zachary barked through the speaker.

“Father, I’m calling about tonight’s dinner-”

“The dinner that cost me one point three MILLION dollars? The disaster that humiliated our family in front of half the city? That dinner?” Zachary’s voice rose to a roar. “I don’t want to hear another word about it! SCRAM!”

The call ended abruptly.

Karen stared at her phone, shocked by Zachary’s uncharacteristic rage. Brandon looked equally taken aback-the patriarch rarely lost his composure so completely.

“Let me try someone else,” Karen muttered, dialing again. This time she reached her sister-in-law, Patricia, who worked in Hartford Group’s accounting department.

“Patricia? Yes, it’s Karen. Quick question-was there really a company dinner at Azure Pierce tonight?” A pause.” There was? The Imperial Hall? For Quinn’s promotion?” Another pause, longer this time. “I see. Thank you.”

Karen hung up slowly, her expression shifting from suspicion to confusion to dawning offense.

“The dinner was real,” she admitted. “For high-level executives and project managers.” She turned to Quinn, her voice rising. “But why weren’t Brandon and I invited? We’re your parents! We’re family! How could the company celebrate your promotion without including us?”

Marcus’s voice cut through Karen’s indignation. “Only high-level executives attended. You and Brandon simply didn’t have the qualifications to be included.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Karen’s face went through several color changes-white, red, then a mottled purple. “What… what did you just say?”

“I said you weren’t qualified,” Marcus repeated calmly. “The dinner was for people with significant roles in the

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Titan Group partnership. Neither of you have positions that warranted attendance.”

“How DARE you!” Karen’s voice hit a pitch that made the chandelier seem to vibrate. “You-a common man who’s been unemployed for THREE YEARS-dare to tell me I’m not qualified? ME? The mother of a Sacred Saintess?”

“Being Quinn’s mother doesn’t give you professional credentials,” Marcus said, his tone still infuriatingly calm.” The company invited people based on merit and position. Not family connections.”

Karen looked like she might have a stroke. Her hands shook with rage. “You… you WORTHLESS… how dare you speak to me that way! I’m a Hartford! You’re nothing but trash who got lucky marrying my daughter!”

“Mother, please-” Quinn tried to intervene.

“No!” Karen whirled on her daughter. “This is what happens when you marry beneath your station! He’s forgotten his place! A common man with NO cultivation, NO abilities, NO job, married to a Sacred Saintess, and he has the audacity to tell ME I’m not qualified?”

Marcus remained completely unbothered, his expression neutral, his posture relaxed. The man who’d stood against Jaxon Brand and Aaron Jackson certainly wasn’t going to be intimidated by his mother-in-law’s tantrum.

Quinn stared at her husband with something approaching awe. Three years ago-three months ago-three DAYS ago-Marcus would have apologized profusely, would have bowed his head, would have done anything to avoid conflict with her parents.

This Marcus simply stood there, unaffected, radiating quiet confidence that made her parents’ rage seem petty and small.

Brandon cut through Karen’s continued tirade. “Enough. We’re late.”

He checked his watch with sharp movements. “Uncle Ridge’s son Riley just returned from overseas. There’s a family dinner to welcome him back. We need to leave now.”

He turned to Quinn. “Get ready. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”

Then his eyes found Marcus, and his expression hardened with contempt. “You’ll stay home. This is a family dinner, and frankly, after tonight’s disaster and your disrespectful attitude, you’re not welcome.”

Karen nodded eagerly. “Exactly. A Saintess shouldn’t be seen with such a useless husband anyway. It reflects poorly on her sacred standing.” Her voice dripped with malice. “Besides, Riley Ridge is successful, accomplished, everything a man should be. It would be embarrassing to have you there for comparison.”

Quinn’s jaw clenched. “If Marcus isn’t invited, then I’m not-”

“You ARE invited,” Brandon interrupted firmly. “Riley specifically asked about you. And the family expects you to be there. This isn’t optional, Quinn.”

“I won’t go without my husband,” Quinn said, her voice carrying an edge of Saintess authority.

“Your HUSBAND?” Karen’s laugh was cruel. “You mean your contractual arrangement? The year-long performance you’re maintaining for your career? Don’t pretend this is a real marriage, Quinn. We all know the truth.”

The words hit like physical blows. Quinn felt her Saintess aura flicker with hurt and anger.

Marcus placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It’s fine. Go to the dinner. See your family. I’ll be here when you get back.”

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