2026-01-06 23:49:46
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 179 PART 2
"I have none," Finley said simply. "I engaged Marcus Steel in combat. I lost. He could have killed me but chose mercy instead. Later, when I attempted to warn him about your arrival, he struck me from behind to give me an injury that would excuse my earlier failure. That's the truth, Branch Manager. I failed you, and I accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate."Maurice studied her for a long moment. Then his hand moved to her shoulder, his fingers pressing against specific points along her meridian pathways.His expression shifted slightly. The injury wasn't superficial. Marcus's strike had damaged her internal energy channels, causing real harm that would require extensive treatment to fully heal. This wasn't the wound of someone who'd stood by and watched. This was combat damage."You fought," Maurice said finally."Yes," Finley confirmed."And lost.""Yes.""But you fought regardless, knowing you were outmatched.""I did what duty required," Finley replied. "I simply wasn't
CHAPTER 179 PART 1
The private wing of Bright Hospital fell into complete silence when Maurice Springs arrived. The branch manager of Willson Pavilion's Far East division moved through the corridors with purposeful strides, his expensive suit perfectly tailored, his white hair swept back with precision. Every step radiated authority that made doctors and nurses instinctively step aside.Behind him walked two bodyguards, professionals who carried themselves with the quiet competence of men who'd killed before and would kill again without hesitation. Their presence alone made the hospital staff nervous."No one enters my son's room," Maurice ordered the head nurse. "No doctors, no staff, no interruptions of any kind. If I find out someone disobeyed, they'll regret it for whatever remains of their life. Understood?"The nurse nodded frantically, too terrified to even verbally confirm.Maurice pushed open the door to Quantez's private recovery suite and entered alone, closing it behind him with a soft click
CHAPTER 178 PART 2
"He's stable. Critical but stable. The surgeons say he'll survive, though recovery will be extensive.""Good. And the Dragon King?""Still at Pearl on the Water Hotel. He hasn't fled or gone into hiding.""Interesting." Maurice paused, and Finley could hear papers rustling in the background. "I won't be coming immediately. There are matters here that require my attention first. Political complications. Organizational concerns. I need you to remain at the hospital and protect Quantez until I can arrange proper security."Finley's face went pale. "But Master, you said you'd be here within hours. You said anyone who hurt Quantez would face immediate consequences.""Plans change," Maurice said flatly. "The situation is more complex than I initially understood. Amadeus Fairbanks himself contacted me. Advised caution. Suggested that rushing into Five-River Province without proper preparation would be strategically unsound.""So you're just leaving us here?" Finley's voice rose despite herse
CHAPTER 178 PART 1
Finley Monroe stood in Pearl on the Water's lobby, her earlier confidence replaced by something more complex. She'd come back expecting fear or negotiation. Instead, she faced Marcus Steel's absolute calm, his dragon aura radiating the kind of stillness that came not from indifference but from complete control."Willson Pavilion," Finley said again, testing the words like a weapon. "You understand what that name means? The resources they command? The reach they have? Most people tremble just hearing it mentioned.""I'm not most people," Marcus replied, his voice carrying the same serene certainty as still water before a storm.Finley studied his face, searching for cracks in the composure. She found none. Not bravado masking fear. Not ignorance pretending to be courage. Just genuine, unshakeable calm."You nearly killed Quantez Springs," she said, shifting tactics. "You beat him until his own companions barely recognized him. That kind of brutality usually comes from rage or hatred. B
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, sti
CHAPTER 177 PART 1
Miguel Abbott's phone hadn't stopped buzzing since Marcus ended his call with Amadeus Fairbanks. Text messages flooded in from across Five-River Province—informants reporting positions, surveillance teams confirming coverage, contacts inside rival families updating their intelligence networks."Airport security is ours," Miguel reported, scrolling through updates with practiced efficiency. "Three teams positioned at different terminals. Private jet landing pads monitored. Every vehicle leaving the airport will be tracked."Marcus nodded but said nothing, his dragon eyes focused on the nighttime skyline beyond Pearl on the Water's windows."I've activated our people inside the Potter Family, the remaining Lancaster contacts, even some of Three Blade Group's lower-level operators," Miguel continued. "If Maurice Springs brings reinforcements into the city, we'll know before they clear customs."The scope of Miguel's intelligence network was becoming visible for the first time—not just a
You may also like
The Saga of the Unbroken
RandomGuy33.8K viewsThe Greatest Martial Arts Cultivator
KidOO98.3K viewsI AM BEYOND HUMAN
South Ashan20.6K viewsTHE ALCHEMIST LEDGER: SOUL CULTIVATION
KJS181 viewsThe Akashic Mandate
Canice Hays219 viewsOne Step Immortal
Alaric yang281 viewsAstral villain system: The saint's demonic ascension
Liam Michael39 views