Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 254

Phoenix raised an eyebrow. “If it weren't for the DNA test, I wouldn't have believed it myself. But one thing is for sure—Warren is a ruthless man who only values utility. Back then, I was worthless, so I didn't deserve to be his daughter. Now, I'm capable, but I'm uncontrollable. So, his only option is to destroy me.”

Pierce remained silent for a moment before shifting the subject. “What about Phoebe?”

He was genuinely curious. Everything Phoebe had done so far was painfully mediocre, and in some aspects, completely idiotic. Yet Warren still went out of his way to protect her.

“Phoebe is his carefully crafted 'masterpiece.' She's his stepping stone to securing his power, so why would he give her up?” Phoenix's lips curled into a mocking smile. “Besides, Phoebe is... Warren's actual biological daughter.”

“What?”

Pierce's eyes widened in shock. “How do you know that?”

Phoenix didn't answer directly. If it hadn't been for Merry's offhand comment, combined with Warren's blatant favoritism toward Phoebe that vastly overshadowed Vanessa's, she never would have suspected a thing.

She had specifically asked Eustace to look into Warren and Phoebe's connection, only to discover that they were indeed father and daughter. But the most ironic part of it all was that Vanessa wasn't Phoebe's biological mother.

In other words, Warren had played everyone.

The world thought he was just a blind fool spoiling his adopted daughter, oblivious to the fact that he was actually doting on his own flesh and blood. He just chose to spoil Phoebe instead of Phoenix.

Screech—!!

A deafening squeal of tires suddenly tore through the air as two heavily modified black sedans shot out from a side road like phantoms, attempting to sandwich the Veneno from both sides.

Phoenix's eyes narrowed, and she slammed her foot down on the gas.

But the attackers were clearly prepared. Their cars were built for this, and even the monstrous power of the Veneno couldn't shake them off entirely.

“Warren is dead set on making sure I don't live to see tomorrow.” Phoenix gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white as the speedometer needle climbed frantically.

Fortunately, the road was isolated with barely any traffic, giving her the space to accelerate like a maniac.

“Take a right up ahead!” Pierce suddenly ordered, his voice grave.

Phoenix didn't hesitate. She cranked the wheel, tapping the brakes into a flawless drift that slotted the car perfectly into a narrow two-lane road.

The two massive sedans couldn't fit side by side and were instantly forced to fall into a single file behind her.

“Left turn.”

With absolute trust, Phoenix followed his command, throwing the car into another violent drift.

After driving for quite a distance and confirming they had lost their tail, Phoenix finally let out a long breath, her tense muscles slowly relaxing.

“You act fast. I can't believe you managed to call in that kind of backup on such short notice,” she said, genuinely impressed.

“How do you think I managed to survive this long in my position?” Pierce kept his eyes half-closed. The moonlight filtering through the window illuminated his face, making his sharp features look almost translucent in their pallor. “With all the internal and external threats the Sterling family faces, if I wasn't ruthless, I'd have been buried a long time ago.”

He shifted slightly in his seat, his brow suddenly knitting together in pain.

Phoenix instantly noticed something was wrong. “What happened to you?”

“It's nothing...” Pierce managed a weak smile, but paired with his deathly pale complexion, it looked incredibly frail.

Phoenix's heart dropped, and she immediately pulled over.

Under the dim glow of the dome light, she was horrified to see the broken shaft of a crossbow bolt jutting out from his right ribs—an injury he had been deliberately hiding by turning away from her. His white dress shirt was completely soaked in dark, terrifyingly red blood.

He was insane! He had sustained such a severe injury and hadn't said a single word, even using his posture to conceal it!

“Are you an idiot, Pierce?!” Phoenix snapped, her voice trembling slightly. “Why didn't you tell me you were hurt? Were you planning to bleed out in my car just to make me feel guilty for the rest of my life?”