Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 368

Phoenix paused for a second, instinctively touching her neck, and raised an eyebrow. "Is it that obvious?"

"Boss, it's way past obvious. It's practically glowing," Yolanda said, covering her mouth to hide a giggle.

Phoenix flipped down the sun visor and checked the mirror. Sure enough, a deep red mark blatantly declared last night's passion. She shook her head in defeat. "No wonder Yancy looked at me so weirdly earlier. He definitely saw it."

"Boss, seeing you and Mr. Sterling finally get together makes me so happy for you," Yolanda sighed with a smile. "People out there used to call him the cold-blooded Reaper, but from what I've seen, he is incredibly tender with you. He notices every little detail and takes care of everything."

"Especially the way he looks at you—it's so completely focused. It's like his whole world revolves around you, and there's no room for anyone else."

Amused by her words, Phoenix let out a soft laugh. "Since when did you get such a sweet tooth?"

"Before, you were always so tense, completely focused on revenge and work. I wouldn't dare run my mouth," Yolanda sighed. "Seeing you so stressed all the time, never giving yourself a moment to breathe, honestly broke my heart. But it's different now. You've accepted Mr. Sterling, and you just seem so much more vibrant and relaxed."

Yolanda was unusually talkative today, but it was precisely the newfound softness radiating from Phoenix that gave her the courage to speak so freely.

Phoenix leaned back in her seat, watching the city streets blur by out the window, her gaze turning distant.

It was true, she had changed. The Prescott family was ruined, and what was left of the Prescott Group was barely holding on. Ethan and Caleb had been completely alienated by the family and would never hand over control, so they posed no threat.

Having shed the burden of revenge and found a haven in Pierce's intense affection, she felt as though she had broken out of a cocoon, finally shattering the oppressive chains that had held her down for so long.

"Yolanda, I'm in a good mood today. Your bonus this month is doubled," Phoenix declared generously, pulling herself out of her thoughts.

"Thank you, Boss!"

"By the way," Phoenix's tone shifted, taking on a more caring edge, "how is your mother's condition doing?"

A flash of sorrow crossed Yolanda's eyes as she shook her head bitterly. "No change. The doctors say the only real cure is a matching kidney donor."

Just as she was losing her patience and preparing to dial that deeply memorized number, a company-wide email suddenly popped up on her computer screen. It was an urgent notice ordering all Lumina Jewelry shareholders to immediately report to the top-floor conference room for an emergency meeting.

"Lana, who sent this memo?" Peyton marched straight to the HR manager's desk, her brows locked together. "An all-staff notice of this level—who else besides Ms. Miller and me has the authorization to send it?"

"It was authorized directly through Ms. Miller's system account," Lana Yates said, looking equally confused. "Ms. Quinn, didn't you get the notice?"

"Authorized by Ms. Miller?" Peyton's heart dropped, a strong sense of foreboding washing over her. Meredith had been MIA for days. Why would she suddenly bypass her to send an announcement like this?

Although filled with suspicion, the current situation didn't leave her any time to dwell on it. She took a deep breath and hurried toward the conference room to figure out exactly what was going on.

Pushing open the conference room doors, she saw that the shareholders were already seated around the long table, whispering amongst themselves. However, the CEO's chair at the head of the table remained conspicuously empty.

"Ms. Quinn, Ms. Miller suddenly called us all here. Is there some major move happening?" Lucas Montgomery leaned in, his face flushed with excitement as he probed for details. "Our latest seasonal lineup is generating unbelievable buzz, and with the momentum from the last jewelry exhibition, Lumina is on track to set sales records! Is she about to announce something huge?"