Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 191

Inside the tearoom, the atmosphere was entirely different.

Alistair Prescott sat at the head of the table. His expression was kind and grandfatherly, entirely devoid of the stern authority he had just displayed to outsiders.

Phoenix and Pierce sat across from him. The three of them faced each other in silence for a moment, the only movement the curling steam from the freshly brewed tea.

"Phoenix," Alistair was the first to speak, letting out a soft sigh that sounded like fond nostalgia. "Ever since I had the tea you brewed, you've completely spoiled my palate. I crave a cup every single day. Nothing else tastes right anymore."

Phoenix scoffed inwardly.

The sly old fox was obviously testing the waters. He was afraid she was a wild horse that had slipped its reins, and he wanted to see if the tether of 'filial piety' could still hold her.

"Whenever you want a cup, just let me know. No matter how busy I am, I'll always brew it for you," Phoenix said as she stood up. With fluid, graceful movements, she picked up the tea set and began warming the cups.

Watching her submissive actions, the guarded look in Alistair's eyes softened considerably.

"Here you go," Phoenix said, sliding a cup of crystal-clear amber liquid toward him. "Try it. Has the taste changed?"

Alistair raised an eyebrow, lifted the cup, and took a small sip. His weathered face relaxed. "Mhm. Exactly as I remember. You've done well, Phoenix."

Phoenix offered a faint smile. She casually slid another cup toward Pierce, who was sitting beside her, before finally pouring one for herself.

She could have easily flipped the table on him right then and there.

But this old fox, despite having stepped behind the curtain, still held the lifeblood of the Prescott Family in his hands. Going head-to-head with him now would only end in mutual destruction.

If she wanted to bring the Prescott empire crashing down with minimal casualties, she didn't mind swallowing her pride for a moment. She would bleed them dry step by step.

"This is a genuinely good cup of tea."

Pierce took a slow sip before setting his cup down on the table with a definitive click. His gaze cut straight through the rising steam, locking directly onto Alistair.

"However, I heard from Arthur that you used to brew an exceptional pot yourself, Alistair. I wonder... do I have the honor of tasting your handiwork today?"

Alistair's gaze darkened, though the genial smile never left his face.

Phoenix turned to look at Pierce in surprise. The man usually treated his words like pure gold. What he just said was dripping with unmistakable provocation.

But in the next second, the conversation took a sharp turn. His eyes locked onto Pierce like a hawk. "Pierce, you and Phoenix need to hurry up with the wedding. Although she hasn't established a firm footing in the family yet, you two are legally married. If you don't host a proper ceremony to announce it to the world, it's going to invite gossip."

Pierce cast a sideways glance at Phoenix, a chilling amusement dancing in his eyes. "Alistair, who in Cloudhaven do you think would dare gossip about me?"

Alistair frowned slightly before smoothing his expression into one of earnest concern. "You're the Reaper of Cloudhaven. Naturally, no one would dare question you. But a woman ultimately needs proper validation. You wouldn't want Phoenix to feel wronged, would you?"

Pierce fell silent for a moment, his fingertips lightly tapping the table. "Fine. I'll discuss it with Arthur when I get back."

Phoenix's heart skipped a beat. Looking at Pierce's expression, he didn't seem to be brushing the old man off. He looked as though he were seriously considering it.

"I'm tired. You two should head back," Alistair said, waving a hand to dismiss them.

Once their silhouettes vanished from the room, the air in the tearoom seemed to freeze solid.

Alistair slammed his palm onto the table. The teacups rattled violently. A sharp, deadly glint pierced through his cloudy old eyes.

"Phoenix... are you just a slightly feral cat, or an untamed tiger that can never be broken?"