Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 67

CHAPTER 67

Quinn Hartford sat in the Rolls-Royce, her hands still trembling despite Marcus’s protective presence. Her Saintess aura flickered erratically-gold dimming to pale yellow, then surging bright again as her divine senses tried to process the malice they’d detected.

“I’m scared,” she admitted quietly, the words costing her visible effort. Sacred Saintesses weren’t supposed to show fear. Weren’t supposed to admit vulnerability. But after two murder attempts in five minutes…

Marcus’s hand found hers, warm and solid. “I’ll find whoever ordered this. And when I do, they’ll regret ever hearing your name.”

“Marcus-”

“You’re a Sacred Saintess,” he continued, his voice carrying an edge that made the air itself feel heavier.” Attacking you is an offense against the heavens themselves. Divine law. Sacred tradition. They’ve crossed a line that can’t be uncrossed.”

He pulled out his phone, dialing a number from memory. The call connected after two rings.

“Amadeus,” Marcus said without preamble. “I need two of your best female operatives. Protection detail for Quinn Hartford. They’ll pose as secretaries at Hartford Group, shadow her movements, eliminate any threats.”

A pause as he listened.

“I don’t care what it costs. Send your top people. The Sacred Saintess’s life depends on it.” Another Have them at Hartford Group within the hour.”

pause.

“Good.

He hung up, then made another call-this one to Hartford Group security, arranging Quinn’s immediate escort into the building, checking every route, every entrance, every potential ambush point.

By the time they reached Hartford Group headquarters, six security personnel surrounded the Rolls-Royce, forming a protective barrier as Quinn stepped out. Her hands had stopped shaking, but her Saintess aura remained dim, still recovering from the shock.

Marcus escorted her to her office personally, his dragon senses scanning every hallway, every shadow, every person they passed. His killing intent was barely leashed-anyone foolish enough to make a move right now would die before they completed the thought.

Once Quinn was safely behind her locked office door with security posted outside, Marcus pulled out his phone again, checking news feeds, social media, anything that might explain-

His blood ran cold.

SACRED SAINTESS MARRIED TO STREET THUG: EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS

The article filled his screen, complete with photos of Quinn, details of her Saintess lineage, and a scathing commentary about her “fall from grace” by marrying someone “so far beneath her station.” The author-Ben Azure-had clearly done research. Too much research. The kind that suggested either incredible journalism or deliberate targeting.

“This isn’t coincidence,” Marcus muttered, screenshotting everything.

His phone rang. Aaron’s name lit the display.

“Talk to me,” Marcus answered.

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“Iron Hoof,” Aaron said without preamble. “Criminal intermediary, handles contract killings for various organizations. He arranged the truck drivers-hired them through a third party, paid them fifty thousand each to’ have accidents’ at specific intersections at specific times.”

“Where’s Iron Hoof now?”

“Being… persuaded… to reveal who hired him. He’s stubborn, but my men are creative. We’ll have answers soon.”

“Good. And I need you to investigate someone else-journalist named Ben Azure. He just published an article about Quinn that’s too detailed, too targeted to be random reporting.”

“On it,” Aaron confirmed. “Marcus, this isn’t one enemy. This is coordinated. Multiple groups moving against you simultaneously. The Potter family. Whoever hired Iron Hoof. This journalist. Someone’s orchestrating events.”

“Then we find the orchestrator,” Marcus said coldly. “And we end them.”

A knock at Quinn’s office door interrupted them. One of her assistants appeared, nervous. “Mrs. Steel? Chairman Hartford has called an emergency board meeting. Your presence is required immediately. Mr. Steel as well.”

Marcus and Quinn exchanged glances. Nothing good came from emergency board meetings.

The Hartford Group boardroom was packed when they arrived-every board member, every executive, and several faces Marcus didn’t recognize. Zachary Hartford stood at the head of the table, his expression carrying the kind of grim determination that preceded bad news.

“Everyone’s here,” Zachary said unnecessarily. “Good. Then I’ll be direct. As of two hours ago, the Golden Eagle Group has officially declared economic war on Hartford Group.”

Gasps rippled through the room. The Golden Eagle Group controlled real estate, construction, and logistics throughout Five-River Province. Going to war with them meant losing contracts, suppliers, partners-everything that kept Hartford Group profitable.

“Why?” someone asked. “What did we do to provoke them?”

Zachary’s eyes found Marcus. “They’re controlled by the Potter family. And apparently…” He gestured to a screen that flickered to life, showing the viral video of Quamaine Potter barking like a dog. “…one of our employees humiliated their heir in public.”

The room went absolutely silent as everyone turned to stare at Marcus.

Oliver Hartford stood slowly, his face still showing faint bruising from his previous encounters with Marcus. His smile was vicious and triumphant.

“This is what happens,” Oliver announced loudly, “when you let trash into the family. When you allow a nobody- a violent street thug-to marry above his station.” His eyes found Marcus. “You’ve dragged us all into your petty conflicts. The Potter family, one of the most powerful in the province, now wants to destroy us. Because you couldn’t control your temper.”

He turned to address the room, playing to his audience. “And worse-far worse-he’s disgraced a Sacred Saintess with his behavior! Quinn Hartford, a woman of divine bloodline, forced to witness her husband acting like a common criminal!”

Several board members nodded in agreement, their fear finding an easy target.

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