Mistaken Match: Marrying the Enigmatic CEO; Chapter 2358

Mistaken Match: Marrying the Enigmatic CEO

Chapter 2358; A Dangerous Game of Trust!

Quintus cast a worried glance at Mackenzie.

The situation with Dragonicus had grown increasingly delicate. He was even more volatile than Quintus had expected, childish in a way that made him dangerously unpredictable. If he couldn’t be soothed, he would become a walking explosive, ready to ignite at the slightest spark.

Yet, Mackenzie remained calm. She met the tension in the room with a soft smile, “Commander Sheffield-Grey, I understand how you feel, but please, hear me out.”

“What more is there to say?” Dragonicus’ voice rang out, harsh and ragged with fury. “If it weren’t you standing here, anyone else would’ve been thrown out already! How dare you speak to me like that?”

“Will you listen to me or not? If not, I’ll leave right now.”

Her voice held no malice, only quiet resolve. Mackenzie had no choice but to draw on her charm, hoping to steady the storm swirling behind his eyes.

“Hmph.”

After venting his rage, Dragonicus at last managed to rein himself in. Though his tone remained sharp, there was now a flicker of interest beneath the anger. “All right, Mackenzie, What do you want to say? I’ll hear you out.”

“Good.”

She knew precisely how to navigate his temperament. Dragonicus wasn’t one to respond to force. He needed to be coaxed, not cornered. So she softened her tone and offered him a playful smile. “Commander Sheffield-Grey, do you like playing games?”

“Games?” He blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sudden shift. He hesitated for beat, then chuckled. “Haha, I love games.”

“So do I.” Mackenzie leaned in slightly, her voice light with amusement. “Whenever I play, I always choose the weaker characters. That way, when I win, it makes me look even stronger.”

Dragonicus, who had risen to the position of Commander of the Tocvale not just through brute force but through cleverness as well, furrowed his brow. “Are you suggesting I take ono a lesser rank just to beat Emmanuel?”

Of course not, Mackenzie loyalty remained firmly with Emmanuel. But if she wanted to ease the tension, she needed to play along.

“This is what we call a reversal,” she explained, still smiling. “Whether in short stores or full-length novels, the main character always starts from the bottom. Then, against all odds, they rise and that’s what makes the story satisfying. It’s what makes others admire the protagonist even more.”

She titled her head, her tone light but steady. “Think about it. If you were already maxed out, wouldn’t finishing the game be dull? If you really want people to see how powerful you are, then choose the underdog. That’s why, in almost every story, the hero begins with nothing.”

Dragonicus suddenly slapped his thigh and burst out laughing. “That’s actually makes sense!”

Behind him, Elric let out a quiet sigh and smiled, amused by how easily the tension had shifted.

Quintus, too, couldn’t help but chuckle. The way Mackenzie was dealing with Dragonicus was almost too smooth.

Little did they know, Dragonicus was well aware he was being gently manipulated. But for him, it wasn’t about whether he was being played, it was about who was doing the playing. Every man, especially one in power, liked to put on a show in front of a beautiful woman. Dragonicus was no exception.

He wanted to prove, in front of Mackenzie, that he was more capable than Emmanuel.

But Mackenzie knew she couldn’t stop there. She pressed on, her smile unfading. “Years ago, when Atticus lost the election to Artemis, you still stood by Artemis’ side. You stayed and defended Chanaea. That says a lot, it shows you care about the bigger picture. You’re a man who can bend when needed and still stand tall. That’s the mark of a true hero.”

“Heh, of course I did!” Dragonicus straightened his shoulders, puffing with pride. “I know what’s best for the country. As for Atticus, he couldn’t even control his own son. How could he possibly run a nation?”

Mackenzie’s gaze sharpened just slightly. “And what about you?” she asked, her voice cool and pointed. “Do you think you’re capable of leading the Tocvale-Northern army?”

The question landed like a stone. Dragonicus faltered, his expression freezing for a beat. He looked as if he wanted to answer boldly, but couldn’t quite find the words.

Though he burned with the desire to surpass Emmanuel, deep down, he knew just how wide the gap was between them, especially when it came to matters of strategy and foresight.

Quintus gave a low laugh. “Commander Sheffield-Grey, Mackenzie admires men who think about the bigger picture. Not ones who only want to win for the sake of their ego. If that were the case, Emmanuel is a five-star War God, and you are a six. Don’t you think she’d have chosen you already?”

“Oh, well -” Dragonicus faltered, caught off guard and unsure of how to respond.

He was a man who could set aside personal pride for the greater good, but to follow Emmanuel’s command? That was a bitter pill to swallow.

“If you want to prove you’re stronger than Emmanuel,” Mackenzie advised, her tone gentle but firm, “if you’re truly a hero who knows when to yield without breaking, this is your moment.”

She smiled, her voice calm and graceful. “I believe I haven’t misjudged you. You’re a loyal general with the nation in your heart, now someone arrogant and headstrong, but someone who respects the will of the leader.”

Standing off to the side, Elric watched the exchange unfold. He could barely keep himself from giving Mackenzie a silent round of applause. With her delicate blend of warmth and pressure, she had the proud and unyielding Dragonicus practically wrapped around her finger.

“Alright!” Dragonicus finally relented, exhaling sharply.

He saw through Mackenzie’s intentions, knew full well she was toying with his pride , he had little choice. If he refused, he would not only appear petty in front of her, but also cast himself as an insubordinate troublemaker.

“I’ll surrender the commander’s seat to Emmanuel”< he said, lifting his chin, “but I have one condition.”

“Oh?” Mackenzie raised a brow, intrigued. “Let’s hear it.”

She hadn’t expected him to be quite this shrewed. For someone she assumed was all brawn and so subtely, he had just managed to surprise her.

Dragonicus gave a booming laugh. “Before the campaign begins. I want you to stay by my side. Walk with me through the streets of Zovince, savor the finest wines and feasts, take in the beauty of the city, and in the quiet hours of the night, let’s talk, heart to heart.”

“What the hell?”

Before Mackenzie could even react, Quintus shouted from nearby, “Dragonicus, have you no shame?”

She had half-expected Quintus to jump in and defend Emmanuel, but instead, he kept going, his tone brimming with indignation. “Do I not exist? What about my time with Mackenzie? We haven’t even shared a proper meal or seen the sights together, and now you’re trying to jump the line?”

“Alright, both of you, enough!”

Mackenzie stepped in swiftly before the two men could come to blows. She lifted her chin with calm poise, her smile both gracious and composed. “Quintus, Dragonicus, you’re both dear to me. If I have time, I’d be more than happy to enjoy good, fine wine, and scenic adventures with both of you.”

After all, Quintus was her personal guard. Wherever Dragonicus inited herr, she could easily bring Quintus along. More importantly, she wanted to understand Dragonicus bette. His strength would be crucial for Chanaea’s future.

Dragonicus clearly understood her intention. He didn’t see Quintus as a rival, and once Mackenzie gave her consent, he broke into a hearty laugh and immediately instructed Elric to begin preparations.

He was determined to make the most of this time with her before the government’s orders came in. This-traveling with Mackenzie, basking in her company, was something he had dreamed of for years.

Mackenzie, for her part, had faith in his character. And with Quintus by her side, she had no fear of things crossing a line.

However, just as they were preparing to depart, something shifted. A wave of dizziness washed over her, making her steps falter.

“Mackenzie, are you alright?” Both men rushed to her side, concern etched into their faces.

“I’m fine…” she replied softly, forcing a weary smile. “Just a little tired.”

She didn’t want Dragonicus to think she was pretending. After all, it was just a short trip for food and sightseeing, hardly something she couldn’t push through, even feeling slightly unwell.

But as she stepped toward the waiting vehicle, her body suddenly gave way.

“Mackenzie!”

“Mackenzie!”

Panic swept through both men as they caught her just before she collapsed. The trip was canceled on the spot, and they carried her to a bed so she could rest.

Dragonicus turned to Elric without hesitation. “Get the best physician in the city. Now. I won’t let anything happen to her , not while she’s with me.”

“Yes, right away!” Elric answered, already halfway out the door.

However, by the time the doctor returned, something was wrong. The bed was empty.

“Where is she?” Dragonicus demanded, his voice rising with alaram. “Where the hell is Mackenzie?”

His eyes blazed as they locked onto Quintus. Something forward, he grabbed him by the collar. “Aren’t you her personal guard? How could you let Her Holiness vanish right under your nose?”