Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 428

As the night deepened, a sleek black Maybach cruised smoothly through the bustling streets of Highcrest.

In the backseat, Phoenix leaned lazily against the window, dressed in an impeccably tailored black velvet gown. Watching the flashing neon lights outside, a faint trace of mockery flickered in her eyes.

Highcrest's glamour didn't seem any superior to Cloudhaven's.

The only difference was that the stench of money was thicker, and the backstabbing in this social arena was far more lethal.

Pierce sat beside her, his deep gaze lingering on her profile, his eyes holding the stars of the entire world.

In the dim cabin, the two sat shoulder to shoulder, their auras blending so seamlessly that even the surrounding air seemed to soften in their presence.

"Phoenix, it's been three days since we got to Highcrest. Tonight's welcome banquet might just be a trap," Pierce chuckled softly. He naturally took her cool hand and pressed it affectionately against his cheek.

Phoenix turned her head, a playful smile curving her red lips. "The St. Claire family is Yara's foundation in Highcrest, and the key she left for me. For them, it's a welcome banquet. But to all those greedy wolves in the Sovereign Circle, it's absolutely a trap waiting to swallow us whole."

Pierce's smile deepened. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, a move both dominant and tender. Resting his chin against her ear, his voice was low and seductive. "Well, what do they expect? We are the overpassing dragons from Cloudhaven."

"The waters in Highcrest run deep. Of course they want to test if we're true dragons ready to stir up a storm, or just pathetic mud loaches waiting to be gutted."

Phoenix lowered her gaze, a sharp chill gathering in her eyes.

There was no hiding from tonight's event.

If she backed down, she would become a laughingstock among Highcrest's elite. If she went, she would have to face attacks from all sides.

If she held her ground, she could establish herself by stepping on their pride. If she failed, the St. Claire family would never hand their hidden resources over to a weakling.

"Ding—"

A crisp notification broke the silence in the car.

Phoenix glanced down to see Macy Monroe's name on the screen. Her smile widened as she tapped it open, reading a simple message.

[Done.]

She let out a slow breath and tossed the phone back into her clutch.

In that split second, her lazy demeanor vanished, replaced by an overwhelming presence and absolute authority that made it hard to even look at her.

As expected of the St. Claire family that once ruled Highcrest—even a mere butler carried more authority than the so-called patriarchs of Cloudhaven.

"Jasper, please show us around," Phoenix said, stepping over the high threshold with a casual familiarity. "This is Yara's old home, after all. I want to take a good look."

At the mention of "Yara," Jasper's calm eyes suddenly dilated.

The name acted like a key, instantly unlocking his sealed memories. A deep sense of nostalgia and emotion flashed across his weathered face.

He bowed his head deeply, a subtle trace of profound respect coloring his voice. "Yes, Ms. Prescott. Please, follow me."

Guided by Jasper, Phoenix wandered along the winding corridors deeper into the ancient estate.

The gardens seemed naturally wild and untamed, but anyone with a sharp eye could tell that every blade of grass and stone had been meticulously placed at a staggering cost.

A top-tier billionaire in the Sovereign Circle had once appraised the estate, estimating it would take at least fifty billion just to get a foot in the door.

Such unfathomable wealth was an astronomical figure that countless second-rate families couldn't even dream of.