Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 234

"That sounds wonderful! I've always wanted to meet you, but you were stuck in that place and couldn't get out. When I heard you finally got your freedom back, I flew out immediately. Tonight, we're going to dive deep into the sanctuary of music!"

"Absolutely. See you there."

Hanging up the phone, Phoenix let out a long breath and looked out the window.

This was the reward for the agonizing hours she spent practicing the piano in prison.

Nolan wasn't just a master pianist; the network of connections behind him spanned the globe. Securing his friendship would lay a rock-solid foundation for her future business empire.

Thinking back to those four years behind bars, she had barely slept four hours a night, spending every waking moment fiercely absorbing knowledge and skills.

She had wanted to quit countless times. But under Coach Yara's hellish training regimen, and driven by an obsessive thirst for revenge, she had gritted her teeth and persevered.

Looking back now, she felt nothing but gratitude for Yara's ruthlessness. Without it, she would never have been forged into the unstoppable weapon of vengeance she was today.

...

The CEO's Office.

Thick smoke filled the room, the suffocating scent of tobacco choking every corner.

Warren Prescott sat in his leather chair, chain-smoking cigarette after cigarette. Even though Vanessa Prescott and Phoebe were coughing from the fumes, neither dared to utter a word, terrified of setting him off.

"Dad, Julian is probably in a bad mood from the demotion, which is why he didn't want to come. But... looking at the current situation, we're in a very dangerous spot," Phoebe probed cautiously.

"Do I need you to tell me that?" Warren shot her a glacial glare. "Phoebe, let me ask you. The top-tier tutors and piano instructors I hired for you—weren't they the best money could buy? As long as you tried, you could easily be the top socialite in our circle."

"But your performance today was a complete disappointment!"

"Dad, I'm sorry..." Phoebe lowered her head, tears falling on cue. "I really tried my best. But I have no idea where Phoenix found an actor to impersonate Maestro Nolan. She managed to fool all the society wives there."

As she spoke, she shot a pleading look at Vanessa.

However, Vanessa simply rubbed her temples, looking dazed, entirely missing her daughter's silent cry for help.

Phoebe cursed inwardly. What was wrong with this old woman? Ever since they got back from the tea party, she had been completely out of it. Was she really starting to resent her?

Warren took a deep drag of his cigarette and exhaled slowly. His cold, harsh features shifted behind the smoke, radiating a terrifying, lethal intent.

"Phoenix has already built a solid foundation. We can't let her keep jumping around. We need to take more drastic measures."

"Dad, what if..." Phoebe narrowed her eyes, a vicious glint surfacing. "What if we bring up the car crash from four years ago and stir up a media storm?"

Warren raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"That man, Lewis Yardley, wanted to tear Phoenix into a million pieces back then. If he finds out she's been released, he'll definitely hunt her down for revenge."

"Then, we manipulate public opinion and drag that accident back into the spotlight. In today's internet age, it doesn't matter how capable she is. Once she becomes public enemy number one, she'll be dragged off her pedestal and smashed to pieces."

Warren's eyes lit up, and he nodded in approval. "Using someone else's knife to do the killing. I like it. I'll leave this in your hands."

Watching the father and daughter scheme so maliciously, Vanessa felt a bone-deep, creeping terror for the first time.

Was the car crash back then really caused by Phoenix harassing Phoebe just for a bite of peanut brittle? Or... was there something else hidden beneath the surface?