Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 285

"Why in the world would that treacherous bitch hand such a massive, career-making achievement over to Julian?!"

Warren's chest tightened as an overwhelming sense of dread clawed its way up his throat. "Wait... when Julian was in the hospital, he was acting completely insane. He kept saying we owed that bitch an apology."

"He even demanded that we beg for her forgiveness!"

"Julian has flipped. He's working with Phoenix."

"Yes! That has to be it!" Warren clenched his fists, slamming his knuckles onto the desk as a vicious, predatory light flashed in his eyes. "The only reason Phoenix would surrender such a massive victory is because Julian has already betrayed us and sworn loyalty to her."

"Unbelievable! Julian, my own flesh and blood. I was planning to rebuild your career, and this is how you repay me? You stab me in the back."

"Since you want to play it this way, don't blame your father for being ruthless."

Meanwhile, in the lounge at Elysian Manor.

Julian groaned as he finally regained consciousness. The vicious hangover pounding against his skull made him deeply nauseous and disoriented.

He blinked, glancing around the dimly lit room. Aside from a few waitstaff wiping down tables, he was completely alone. He checked the time and realized it was already nightfall.

"The deal! Oh god, the deal!" Julian jolted upright in a blind panic, frantically pulling out his phone to call Alastair Langley.

The line connected almost instantly.

"Mr. Langley, I am so incredibly sorry for calling you this late, I just..."

"There's no need to apologize, Julian. Our partnership will continue as planned, and you will remain the executive in charge."

"What?!"

Julian sat frozen in pure disbelief. No matter how much he had groveled and begged earlier, Alastair had flatly refused to budge. Why was he suddenly agreeing so effortlessly?

Not only was the deal saved, but he was still the point of contact!

"You have a very good sister, Julian. And naturally, I mean your biological one." Alastair's voice carried a knowing, amused edge. "I have some business to attend to on my end, so I'll let you go."

The call ended.

But Julian's mind was completely blown apart. He couldn't calm down.

The memories of what happened before he blacked out came crashing back like a tidal wave.

He remembered now!

Just as he was about to chug the third bottle of liquor, Phoenix had suddenly appeared and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

Thankfully, Phoenix currently spent all her time at Starlight Heights with Pierce Sterling, so staying here wasn't entirely unbearable.

The only infuriating caveat was that Phoenix had permanently banned anyone from setting foot on the second floor. Even invoking his authority as the patriarch, Warren couldn't bypass Lawrence and the security team, who now answered exclusively to Phoenix.

"Lawrence, Phoenix isn't even here right now. What's the harm in letting me stay upstairs for a few days?!"

Phoebe stood at the base of the grand staircase, glaring venomously at the head butler.

Lawrence's expression remained perfectly stony, entirely unyielding. "Miss Phoebe, Ms. Prescott has strictly forbidden anyone other than herself from accessing the second floor. Please don't force my hand."

As he spoke, the two massive security guards flanking him took a deliberate step forward. The sheer intimidation radiating off them made Phoebe's heart skip a beat.

Gritting her teeth, Phoebe's eyes flashed with toxic resentment, but she still tried to push back. "Lawrence, have you forgotten who wrote your paychecks all these years? Are you absolutely sure you want to make an enemy out of me?"

Lawrence remained as immovable as a mountain, his gaze steady. "Miss Phoebe, my paychecks were never signed by you; they were signed by Mr. Prescott. However, the deed to this manor now belongs entirely to Ms. Prescott, which means my salary—and the salaries of the entire staff—are now paid directly by her."

"If you insist on attempting to breach the second floor, I will have no choice but to call Ms. Prescott and let her handle you personally."

Realizing she had entirely lost the high ground, Phoebe angrily stomped her foot and stormed back to the first-floor living room, where Warren and Vanessa were sitting.

"Dad, Mom, this is so completely out of line! She doesn't even sleep here anymore. Why are we banned from the second floor?" she whined, her face twisted in a petulant scowl. "The lighting down here is terrible, and it's far too humid. If I stay down here any longer, I'm going to get sick."