Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 277

In the backseat of a luxury car.

Pierce pocketed his phone, his deep gaze drifting toward the passing scenery outside the window. If he didn't have something extremely important to handle today, he would have gone there himself to secure the White Jade Buddha Head.

"Boss, pardon me for asking, but why are you so interested in that Buddha head? Is it a gift for Arthur?" Yancy asked curiously from the front seat.

Pierce's expression was indifferent, with a hint of distaste in his voice. "My grandfather likes antiques, but not this kind. In his words, putting a severed head in the house is just asking to be scared half to death in the middle of the night."

Hearing that, Yancy couldn't help but laugh. Arthur Sterling was quite an interesting character.

"Then who..."

"It's a surprise for someone."

Pierce didn't say her name, but Phoenix's image naturally surfaced in his mind, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

According to his intel, Phoenix's estranged aunt, Eleanor, desperately needed that Buddha head to secure connections within the Chamber of Commerce. His little woman was making aggressive moves within the Prescott Group and was short on reliable allies. If she could recruit a wild card like Eleanor, her odds of crushing Warren would significantly increase.

This Buddha head was his gift to help her recruit her army.

"Step on it, Yancy," Pierce urged.

"Right away, Boss."

Yancy sensed his urgency. Pierce clearly wanted to wrap things up as quickly as possible so he could personally attend the auction.

They had finally located the middleman overseas who had been communicating with Silas. As long as they bought this guy out, Silas's days were numbered.

Back at the auction hall.

Phoenix sat two rows behind Eleanor, at an angle that allowed her to observe her aunt's every move.

She could tell Eleanor was determined to win the Buddha head. Southern Heritage Antiques was facing distribution issues, with a massive amount of inventory stuck in the warehouse. If she couldn't open new sales channels, her cash flow would soon snap.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce was the key to solving that problem.

That was why Eleanor was so focused on the White Jade Buddha Head—she wanted to use it to wedge open Milton's network.

"Distinguished guests, I believe many of you are here for the White Jade Buddha Head."

The auctioneer stood on stage and tapped his gavel, the sharp crack drawing everyone's attention.

"So, without further ado, let's present the White Jade Buddha Head—"

The spotlight converged as an elegant host carefully carried a tray onto the stage.

The red cloth was pulled back, revealing a lustrous, exquisitely carved jade Buddha head that radiated a pristine, holy glow under the lights.

"Absolutely stunning!"

The owner of Southern Heritage Antiques was well-known in the antique circle. Since she had her eyes on it, stepping aside now would save face and keep things cordial for the future.

"Two million, going once."

The auctioneer began to finalize the bid. As long as no one offered more, the piece would go to Eleanor.

"2.2 million."

At that moment, Phoenix lazily raised her paddle, adding another two hundred thousand.

All eyes immediately locked onto her. The woman was a stranger, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and large sunglasses that covered half her face. Dressed in her black gown, she looked incredibly elegant and wealthy.

Eleanor frowned and looked back at her. Seeing a stranger, she assumed the woman simply didn't recognize her, hence the lack of courtesy.

"2.4 million." She raised the price again.

"2.6 million."

But the moment the bid was called, the woman instantly countered. Everyone in the room sensed something strange was going on.

It was obvious this elegant stranger was directly targeting Eleanor.

They hadn't seen this woman bid earlier, but the second Eleanor made a move, she matched it instantly. Anyone with eyes could smell the gunpowder in the air.