Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 224

"Heh," Phoenix scoffed, her eyes brimming with ridicule. "Work like a horse? Too bad, you're not worthy."

With that, she lifted her chin, her cold voice rising a few octaves to echo across the hall. "What kind of standards does this tea party have? How did you let random trash wander in?"

"Security! Escort Ms. Lucas out," Cora reacted instantly, her face darkening as she gave the order.

Several security guards quickly stepped forward and dragged the sobbing Cassandra away.

Watching the scene unfold, a flicker of disdain crossed Vanessa's eyes.

In her view, the Lucas family's bankruptcy was their own incompetence, and Phoenix only dared to act so arrogant because she was riding Pierce's coattails.

It was all a borrowed bluff. Without a man backing her, Phoenix was still just an unpresentable ex-convict who could never compare to her meticulously cultured Phoebe.

"Phoenix, I'm so sorry you had to see that. I can't believe someone like her snuck in and ruined the mood." Cora put on a warm smile, stepping forward to affectionately take Phoenix's hand and guide her toward the VIP seating.

Phoenix's gaze swept over Cora. She was exactly the blend of gentle and strong that Phoenix had imagined Meredith's mother to be.

Shifting her eyes, she noticed an elegant, luxurious woman sitting next to Cora's seat, looking at her with surprising friendliness.

"Phoenix, I finally get to meet you in person," Lucinda smiled, studying Phoenix with an affectionate tone. "I'm Caspian's mother. Just call me Lucinda."

"My Caspian is usually goofing off, but he praises you to the skies. Also, I have a useless second son who offended you earlier. I apologize on his behalf."

Phoenix raised an eyebrow. Recalling her previous run-in with Cade at the Lumina Jewelry store, she replied calmly, "You're too kind, Lucinda. What happened last time was just a misunderstanding."

Seeing her composed and dignified response, Lucinda's appreciation deepened. This girl had vision.

"Cade Thorne, get your ass over here!" Lucinda turned her head, her tone suddenly freezing.

Cade had been sitting on pins and needles ever since Phoenix walked in. Hearing his mother call him, his scalp went numb.

"Mom..." He shuffled over slowly, his voice as quiet as a mosquito.

"Apologize to Phoenix," Lucinda side-eyed her son with unquestionable authority.

Cade gritted his teeth, turned to Phoenix, and bowed deeply. "Ms. Prescott, I'm sorry. I failed to recognize who you were and offended you. Please be the bigger person and don't hold it against me."

"I just told your mother, it was a misunderstanding. Now that it's out in the open, let's consider it in the past," Phoenix stated evenly, revealing no emotion.

Hearing this, Cade finally let out a breath of relief. He never expected the newly elevated heiress to be so reasonable.

He immediately expressed his loyalty, his tone utterly submissive. "Ms. Prescott, if you ever need anything, just say the word. I, Cade Thorne, will follow your every command."

Vanessa cleared her throat, trying to snatch back control of the conversation.

But Phoenix acted as if she hadn't heard a thing, not even sparing her a glance.

"Phoenix!!" Vanessa couldn't help raising her voice. "Let me introduce you..."

"No need." Phoenix finally cast a lazy, cold look her way. "Cora has already introduced me, so don't strain yourself. Besides, I only attended today out of respect for her."

Vanessa's face went deathly pale, her body trembling with rage.

Phoenix was publicly disrespecting her! How could she ever show her face in high society again?

"Phoenix, how can you say that?" Phoebe smoothly stepped up, linking her arm with Vanessa's, looking heartbroken. "Mom asked you here out of the goodness of her heart to help you blend in and meet a few friends."

"Once you get to know the elders, your path will be much easier. It's so ungrateful of you to anger her the moment you arrive."

Phoenix took a step forward, glaring at Phoebe with a mocking smirk. "She's your mother, not mine. Whatever her intentions are, what does it have to do with me?"

Changing her focus, she looked at Vanessa with a fake smile. "Besides, does Mrs. Prescott really have such a good heart to just introduce me to some friends?"

Vanessa's eyes darted away, forced into a guilty silence by that piercing gaze.