Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 215

"Everything okay, Phoenix?" Yolanda asked, hurrying over.

Phoenix nodded. "Yeah. Let's head back to the city."

"Yes, ma'am!"

The two began walking back.

However, the atmosphere quickly shifted. A crowd was gathering, and the stares were no longer just curious—they were feral, predatory, like wolves eyeing fresh meat.

"Phoenix?!" Yolanda tensed, instantly feeling the suffocating malice in the air.

Phoenix narrowed her eyes and scoffed. "Looks like those punks called for backup."

"Hahaha!"

A maniacal laugh ripped through the tension.

The crowd parted, revealing a heavily built man with a face full of grease and scars.

Big Sal flashed a set of rotting yellow teeth, raking his eyes over Phoenix with nauseating lust.

"Arsen told me two gorgeous women rolled in driving a luxury car. Guess he wasn't lying," Big Sal pulled a massive machete from his waistband, his smile turning sinister. "Ladies, I run this block. You want to walk out of here in one piece? You're gonna have to pay a toll... or offer up a different kind of payment."

As he spoke, dozens of thugs tightened the circle around them.

Clearly, they had heard about Phoenix's fighting skills and brought heavy numbers. These weren't petty thieves; they were hardened criminals with blood on their hands.

Even with the lethal combat skills she had honed in prison, facing these odds made Phoenix frown.

"Yolanda, the second I make a move, you run," Phoenix muttered, rolling her wrists. "Get in the car and drive straight back to Cloudhaven. Don't look back."

"But what about you?!" Yolanda stared at her in shock.

"Me? I'll be fine." Phoenix cracked her knuckles, a bloodthirsty smirk curving her lips. "It's been a while since I've had a proper workout. This should be fun."

Yolanda's pupils dilated, staring at her boss in pure disbelief.

There was no fear on Phoenix's face. No panic. Only... exhilaration.

Was she seriously going to take on dozens of armed killers alone? It was absolute madness!

"Yolanda!"

"Yes, Phoenix!" Yolanda snapped out of it, gritting her teeth. "I'll do what you say. But please, come back in one piece!"

Phoenix simply flashed an 'OK' sign. She pulled a black hair tie from her wrist and quickly swept her loose hair into a high ponytail.

In that instant, her lazy demeanor vanished, replaced by a razor-sharp, commanding aura that left Yolanda slightly dazed.

The seasoned criminals felt it immediately. Their survival instincts screamed at them. It felt as though they weren't facing a man, but an apex predator ready to tear them apart.

"Pierce, what are you doing here?" Phoenix frowned, crossing her arms suspiciously. "Don't tell me you stalked me all the way from Cloudhaven to Highport."

Pierce's brow twitched. Meeting her scrutinizing gaze, he flatly replied, "I had business in Highport. I was just passing by."

"Passing by?"

Phoenix's mouth twitched. How convenient that he bypassed all the main roads to take a scenic drive through the absolute worst slum in the region?

From the backseat, Caspian poked his head out, grinning as he happily sold his friend out. "Don't listen to his bullshit, Phoenix. He was worried you'd get hurt, so he tracked you down."

"Caspian!!" Pierce shot him a glare so lethal it could kill.

Caspian ducked back inside. "Save me, Phoenix!"

Phoenix blinked, her eyes darting between the two men.

Did Pierce really come all this way just because he was worried about her? Looking at his tense jawline and awkward expression, it seemed Caspian was telling the truth.

"Well, Mr. Sterling. I didn't know you cared so much."

She suddenly smiled, her eyes crinkling in amusement. Her radiant expression was as bright as the morning sun, sending an unexpected jolt straight to his chest.