Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 187

Phoenix shot Pierce a glance, feeling somewhat speechless. The man had claimed he was just here for the show, yet he was firing on all cylinders to back her up.

Was this protective stance his way of making her owe him a favor, just so he could use it against her later?

"I was aware that Phoenix and Pierce got their legal papers," Alistair suddenly spoke up, his tone calm.

"Alistair, something this huge, why didn't you tell me?" Warren was shocked and uncertain.

"Hmph, if you actually cared about Phoenix, would you be in the dark?" Alistair's single sentence shut Warren down completely.

In an instant, the way Warren and Vanessa looked at Phoenix changed entirely.

An engagement could be broken, but a legal marriage was harder to sever. Pierce's fierce protection completely shattered their suspicions of a fake marriage.

Off to the side, Dominic Vaughan narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at Phoenix.

This true heiress who had returned out of nowhere was much harder to handle than anticipated. Backed by her status as Mrs. Sterling, that old fox Alistair would never tear his face off with her for the sake of a few useless pawns. After all, offending Phoenix over some dead weight was just bad business.

"Phoenix, you've been through a lot." Alistair's tense, weathered face instantly smoothed out. "Since Pierce is here, stay the night at the house."

"Just what I had in mind." Before Phoenix could refuse, Pierce accepted without missing a beat.

Phoenix couldn't help but roll her eyes, silently cursing him. What exactly was Pierce planning? Watching the show was one thing, but why agree to sleep over?

"Julian, Phoebe." Alistair pivoted sharply, his piercing gaze sweeping over the two kneeling figures. "Do you realize your mistakes?"

"Grandfather, I know I was wrong," Julian said through gritted teeth, his face full of humiliation. "I acted foolishly and did something stupid. I will never do it again."

Phoebe was a tearful mess, playing the pitiful victim card to the absolute limit. "Grandfather, I just got too worked up. I was terrified that Mom and Dad wouldn't love me anymore after Phoenix returned, so I did something foolish... I will learn from Phoenix from now on and never repeat my mistakes."

Alistair nodded. Just as he was about to speak and brush the matter under the rug, Phoenix stood up.

Everyone's eyes involuntarily followed her.

Phoenix walked step by step toward Phoebe, looking down from her commanding height at the woman pretending to be weak.

Did the old man want to sweep this under the rug? She absolutely wouldn't allow it.

Feeling the cold shadow cast over her, Phoebe trembled and instinctively looked up, her gaze colliding with Phoenix's glacial eyes.

Without warning, Phoenix raised her hand—

*Smack.*

A sharp, vicious slap rang out through the hall.

Warren's face flushed bright red in humiliation.

But he couldn't blame the old man, so he shot a venomous glare at Phoenix instead.

She was a pure troublemaker. Before she returned, the family was perfectly harmonious. Now that she was back, she had nearly torn the household apart. Coupled with the old man's high regard for her, she had become entirely lawless, practically using him, the head of the house, as a stepping stone.

"Phoenix, I was foolish this time and made you suffer," Alistair softened his tone. "Tell me, how should they be dealt with? I will absolutely give you a proper resolution."

This was him extending an olive branch.

Phoenix tugged at the corners of her lips. She turned and sat back beside Pierce, speaking casually.

"Phoebe knew very well that I was the one who brought in The Azure Healer, who then cured Gideon Miller. This was a massive credit that could influence the relationship between the Prescott and Miller families. Yet she lied to everyone, attempting to steal the credit, and nearly caused a severe fallout between the two families. Her mind is venomous, her greed insatiable. She deserves a severe punishment."

Phoebe instantly looked like a ghost.

The previous slaps had already taken half her life. If she faced severe punishment now, wouldn't she be beaten to death?

"Grandfather, I was wrong, I was really wrong." She cried hysterically. "I was just so terrified of losing your favor. I was too eager to prove myself and made a mistake..."

"Ms. Prescott, please be merciful and let me go." She turned to Phoenix, begging bitterly. "I know I stole over a decade of your life, and I owe you. I will give everything back to you. Please, just leave me a way out."