Riley leaned forward with calculated concern, though his eyes gleamed with predatory satisfaction. "Marcus, I think perhaps you should slow down with the wine. You're clearly not used to drinking at this level—""Not used to it?" Marcus's laugh was bitter, slurred just enough to sound authentically drunk. "I'm not used to ANYTHING at this level! Not the wine, not the restaurant, not the lifestyle!" He gestured wildly at the elegant surroundings. "This is what Quinn deserves! And what can I give her? Nothing!"Quinn saw her opening and took it—but this time, the emotion bleeding through wasn't entirely performance. Three years of genuine frustration found an outlet."NOTHING is right!" Quinn's voice cracked, tears forming in her eyes. "Do you know what I've endured for three years, Marcus? Three YEARS of defending you! Of making excuses! While other Saintesses receive jewelry, travel, proper cultivation resources—what do I get? A husband who can't even afford to take me to dinner witho

Karen Ridge's voice carried across the private room with cruel satisfaction. "Look at him! This is the man Quinn married! A worthless drunk who can't even handle expensive wine! Riley, on the other hand—" she gestured admiringly at the absent Riley, who'd excused himself moments ago, "—is everything a Sacred Saintess deserves! Successful, refined, sober!""Absolutely," Brandon Hartford agreed, his earlier reservations completely evaporated in the face of Marcus's apparent collapse. "This marriage has been a mistake from the beginning. Tonight just proves it definitively. The divorce will be a relief for everyone involved."Mother Ridge nodded vigorously. "The sacred bloodline corrects its own errors. Quinn's Saintess intuition will guide her to Riley now that she sees her husband's true nature."None of them realized they were praising a man who was—at this very moment—in the bathroom coordinating a street attack against their daughter's husband.None of them understood that the "wort

Richard Ridge staggered to his feet, his face purple with rage and humiliation. "You DARE lay hands on me? Do you know who I am? I'm Richard Ridge! Ridge Technologies—"Flynn's backhand caught him across the face with devastating force.The sound of the impact echoed through Azure Breeze Restaurant like a gunshot. Richard's body actually lifted off the ground, spinning in mid-air before crashing into a decorative column ten feet away. He slid down, leaving a smear of blood, his face already swelling, his expensive glasses shattered."RICHARD!" Miranda screamed, rushing toward her husband. But she stopped halfway, her survival instincts finally overriding her outrage. She whirled on the restaurant staff instead. "Security! SECURITY! This establishment is harboring criminals! I demand you shut this place down immediately! Call the police! We're pressing charges!"Two security guards appeared in the private room's entrance, their hands moving toward their radios—then freezing when they s

For the first time in the entire chaotic evening, Quinn felt real fear. Not for herself—her Saintess powers could protect her. But her mother, her father—they were just ordinary people. Flynn Sawyer was a known killer. If he decided to truly hurt them...Her holy powers might not be enough to stop him.Marcus looked at his wife's frightened face, at her mother who'd spent three years calling him worthless, at the family that had made him sleep in a separate room and treated him like hired help."Marcus, please," Quinn whispered. "I know they've been terrible to you. But they're still my parents. Please."The 'please' did it. Not Karen's panic. Not the situation's danger. Just Quinn, asking him genuinely for help.Marcus stood slowly, his movements unhurried. He walked toward Flynn with the calm confidence of someone who knew exactly how this would end."Flynn," Marcus said quietly.The effect was immediate and dramatic. Flynn stopped mid-advance, his entire posture shifting from aggre

"A Saintess shouldn't be involved in such mundane matters," Karen continued, grabbing Quinn's arm. "Come with us. Let the useless one handle it. He's good at taking blame for things, isn't he?""I'm not leaving Marcus!" Quinn pulled her arm free, her Saintess aura flaring with indignation."Then stay with your worthless husband!" Karen spat. "Come on, Brandon. We're leaving before this gets more expensive!"They rushed to their car, Karen practically shoving Brandon into the driver's seat. The engine roared to life—And Brandon, in his panic, backed up too quickly and crashed through the parking lot's wooden railing with a spectacular crunch.Then they were gone, leaving a trail of splintered wood and tire marks.Quinn stood there, tears streaming down her face, her Saintess composure completely shattered. Her parents—the people who should protect her, support her—had just fled, leaving her and Marcus to deal with consequences they'd caused."I'm so sorry," Quinn sobbed, covering her