Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 252

“I'm not blind. What happened to Ian is the perfect example,” Pierce said, shaking his head with a bitter smile. “The guy was surrounded by adoring fans celebrating his birthday during the day, and by nightfall, he was dragged straight to hell. He didn't even know what hit him.”

Her entire scheme was flawless—a precise, ruthless chain of events that utterly destroyed any chance Ian had of making a comeback.

“I wouldn't call it my scheme. It was just karma catching up to him. He built his entire career on stolen fame, so it was only a matter of time before his empire crumbled. I just sped up the process a little,” Phoenix said lightly, as if she were discussing the weather.

While they talked, the car wound its way up the mountain.

Mount Joy was the highest point in Cloudhaven, offering a sweeping view of the entire sprawling metropolis.

“Pierce, you...”

“Get out.”

Pierce pulled over, threw the car in park, and stepped out.

Phoenix followed him. The biting night wind at the summit immediately swept away the suffocating heat in her chest.

“The view is best from the observation deck up ahead.” Pierce walked over to the railing, leaning against it as he looked out over the vast sea of city lights. “Whenever I need to clear my head, I come up here.”

“I don't know exactly what you're feeling right now, but... I thought you might need this.”

Hearing those words from Pierce was surprisingly heartwarming, carrying a rare, clumsy sort of gentleness.

Phoenix looked at this man—who was usually so domineering and cold—and felt an unexpected sense of comfort.

From the observation deck, the city's neon lights looked like a flowing river of stars, or a massive beast resting on the earth, exhaling an endless tide of desire.

Standing at the peak, Phoenix felt like a detached observer, coolly watching the world below. For the first time in a long while, her tense body finally relaxed.

Pierce's gaze drifted over to her profile.

In that moment, the sharp, defensive edge she always carried seemed to fade away, replaced by a genuine smile that reached her eyes.

It was a soft, subtle smile that looked breathtakingly beautiful in the moonlight.

Pierce's heart skipped a beat, and he found he couldn't tear his eyes away from her.

This woman was absolutely toxic.

But even so, he didn't seem to mind. In fact... he welcomed it.

“Thank you, Pierce,” Phoenix said suddenly.

Pierce stiffened for a second before awkwardly looking away. “I just wanted to relax too. It was on the way.”

“Honestly, I'm starting to think someone made up that 'Reaper' nickname just to slander you. How could a guy as sweet and considerate as you be a Reaper?” Phoenix teased with a sigh.

Her comment sent a rush of heat to his chest, and he instinctively pressed a hand against his heart.

When she was with him, she always wore a mask of careless humor, but underneath it all, she was constantly on edge. It was only during that brief moment looking over the city that he had seen her truly drop her guard.

Pierce let out a long breath, not wanting to interrupt, and casually scanned the area.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a sudden blur of motion rushing toward them from the shadows.

A cold glint of metal flashed as one of the figures raised a tactical crossbow, aiming straight at Phoenix.

“Watch out!”

Pierce yelled, lunging forward and tackling Phoenix to the ground.

Whoosh—!

The sharp whistle of a flying arrow tore through the air, skimming inches over their heads before embedding itself into the grass behind them.

Realizing they missed, the assassins dropped their stealth. Several more crossbows were instantly raised, the cold steel arrows locking onto Phoenix as she lay on the ground.

“Go, get back to the car!”

Pierce ripped off his jacket and wrapped it around his arm with lightning speed.

With one arm shielding Phoenix as they retreated, he used the other to swing the thick fabric, knocking away the deadly arrows raining down on them.