Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 34

CHAPTER 34

Riley’s expression shifted to magnanimous sympathy, though his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Quinn, I understand this must be difficult for you. Watching someone who doesn’t understand refinement embarrass himself-and by extension, embarrass you-in front of family.”

Internally, Riley was ecstatic. Marcus had just proven everything Riley had been suggesting-that he was common trash, unsuitable for a Sacred Saintess, someone Quinn should be ashamed of.

But then Marcus’s hand moved under the table, squeezing Quinn’s thigh gently. His finger traced letters against her leg, spelling out a message only she could feel:

Scold me.

Quinn’s Saintess intuition flared with sudden understanding. Marcus was playing a role. Creating a performance. And he needed her to participate.

Without missing a beat, Quinn’s expression transformed. Her face hardened with what looked like genuine fury. She turned to Marcus, her voice cutting across the awkward silence.

“How DARE you!” Quinn’s voice carried perfect indignation. “Do you have ANY idea how you just made me look? Drinking wine like that-like some… some street drunk! In front of my family!”

Marcus blinked, seeming genuinely taken aback. “Quinn, I just-”

“I don’t want to hear excuses!” Quinn stood, her Saintess aura flickering with what appeared to be rage. “Three years! Three years I’ve defended you! Made excuses for your unemployment, your lack of cultivation, your complete failure to provide anything meaningful to this marriage! And this is how you repay me? By humiliating me in front of people I care about?”

The performance was flawless. Even Quinn was surprised by how naturally the words flowed, how easily she channeled three years of actual frustration into this theatrical display.

Karen’s mouth hung open in shock. This was the first time she’d ever heard her daughter openly criticize Marcus.

Riley’s face lit up with barely concealed joy. “Quinn, please, there’s no need to-”

“There’s EVERY need!” Quinn whirled on him, then back to Marcus. “Riley turned down million-dollar offers to come back to Grayson City. He’s accomplished, refined, knows how to behave in society. And you-YOU-can’t even drink wine properly!”

“The wine was expensive,” Marcus mumbled, playing his role perfectly. “I thought—”

“You thought WRONG!” Quinn’s voice rose. “You always think wrong! About everything! About what it means to be married to a Sacred Saintess! About what’s expected of you!”

Marcus’s face darkened, his jaw clenching. He stood abruptly, swaying slightly as if the wine was affecting him. ” Maybe… maybe we should just get divorced then! If I’m such an embarrassment!”

“Maybe we should!” Quinn shot back, her voice cracking with what sounded like genuine emotion.

The table erupted in shocked gasps.

Marcus grabbed the second bottle of Pétrus-still three-quarters full-and tilted it back, drinking in long, aggressive gulps. The eighty-thousand-dollar wine disappeared down his throat like water, his Adam’s apple bobbing with each swallow.

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CHAPTER 24

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“MARCUS!” Quinn slammed her hand on the table, making dishes jump. “Put that down RIGHT NOW!”

But Marcus drained the entire bottle, then slammed it down with a loud thunk. “There! Happy? I finished the expensive wine! Just like a good little husband should!”

His words were slightly slurred, his posture slouched. He looked drunk, defeated, pathetic.

Karen could barely contain her excitement. “Quinn, darling, I think perhaps you and Marcus need some time apart. Maybe he should leave-”

“Maybe I SHOULD!” Marcus’s voice carried theatrical wounded pride. “Maybe Quinn would be happier with someone like Riley! Someone REFINED!” The word came out mocking, bitter.

Riley leaned forward, his expression carefully concerned but his eyes gleaming with triumph. “Marcus, please. Let’s all calm down. This is just a family dinner-”

“Family?” Marcus laughed harshly. “I’m not family. I’ve never been family. You’ve all made that crystal clear.”

He slumped back in his chair, arms crossed, looking every inch the vulgar drunk who’d been put in his place. His eyes were slightly unfocused, his posture sloppy.

Riley could barely contain his satisfaction. Everything was going perfectly. Marcus looked like a fool. Quinn was defending Riley and criticizing her husband publicly. Karen was clearly on his side. Even Quinn seemed genuinely upset-maybe the marriage was more fragile than he’d thought.

Marcus leaned back further, his chair tilting on two legs in a way that made Mother Ridge wince with disapproval. He looked at Riley with bleary eyes and what appeared to be drunken resignation.

“Brother Ridge,” Marcus slurred slightly, his voice carrying pathetic defeat, ‘got any more wine? Might as well drink myself into a stupor. Nothing else to do while my wife realizes her mistake in marrying me.”

The taunt was perfect-self-deprecating enough to seem genuine, challenging enough to make Riley feel superior.

Riley’s smile widened. “I think you’ve had enough for tonight, Marcus. Perhaps some water—”

“Answer the question,” Marcus interrupted, his voice taking on a petulant edge. “Got. More. Wine?”

“The restaurant has an extensive cellar,” Riley said, his tone indulgent as if speaking to a child. “But I think-”

“Then order some,” Marcus said, waving his hand dismissively. “Since you’re so wealthy and refined and everything Quinn deserves. Show us all how it’s done, Brother Riley.”

The mockery was there, but buried under enough apparent drunkenness that Riley interpreted it as defeated sarcasm rather than calculated manipulation.

“Marcus, really-“Quinn started, playing her role.

“Let him order,” Marcus interrupted, his eyes meeting hers for just a moment-and in that moment, Quinn saw the absolute clarity there, the dragon intelligence operating behind the drunk façade. “Let Brother Riley show everyone how a REAL man treats a Sacred Saintess. Not like this worthless husband who drinks expensive wine like water.”

Riley practically glowed with satisfaction. This was everything he’d hoped for. Marcus was self-destructing, Quinn was angry, and the entire family was watching the marriage collapse in real-time.

“Very well,” Riley said magnanimously. “Sommelier? Bring us your finest bottles. Let’s make this a proper

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