Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 429

"Ms. Prescott, just ahead is The Orchid Pavilion," Jasper said, coming to a halt. He turned slightly, gesturing toward a delicate pavilion nestled in the bamboo grove, his tone thick with nostalgia. "In the past... Miss Yara loved resting and reflecting here."

Phoenix looked up. The Orchid Pavilion was quaint and serene, surrounded by a subtle, cool fragrance of orchids that instantly settled the mind with a single breath.

She walked slowly into the pavilion and took a seat on a stone bench.

Glancing at the scenery, she felt as though she could see through Yara's eyes, touching the very mindset of the woman who had once made the entire Sovereign Circle tremble.

"Yara really knew how to live," Phoenix smiled faintly, though a trace of profound melancholy entered her gaze. "It's just that her world... was far too lonely."

It's lonely at the top. For someone at the absolute pinnacle of power, who was qualified to stand beside her and share that quiet solitude?

The rustle of clothing broke her thoughts as Pierce gracefully sat down next to her. The simple action was like a pebble tossed into a still pool, shattering the cold isolation.

The warmth radiating from his shoulder chased away the loneliness, replacing it with the grounding comfort of having her partner by her side.

A wave of emotion washed over Phoenix. With him next to her, she had nothing to fear, no matter how dangerous the road ahead might be.

"Ms. Prescott, I've prepared some tea and snacks for you."

As he spoke, Jasper took a sandalwood tray from a maid and placed it steadily on the stone table.

Phoenix looked down at the clear tea in the white porcelain cup. A crisp, lingering aroma immediately drifted up to her. A hint of admiration flashed in her eyes. "Good tea."

Jasper smiled humbly, though he couldn't hide his pride. "Miss Yara bought an entire tea estate just for this blend. This tea is incredibly difficult to cultivate, and the yield is extremely low. You can only drink it here at the St. Claire estate. Others couldn't buy it even if they threw millions at us."

He then respectfully poured a cup for both Phoenix and Pierce.

Phoenix took a small sip. The crisp tea slid down her throat, instantly transforming into a refreshing sweetness that washed away all her recent exhaustion.

It truly was Yara's favorite.

"What is this tea called?" she asked softly.

"Mist-Clad Tea."

Phoenix nodded and took another sip.

Crisp at the start and rich at the finish—the two contrasting flavors danced on her tongue. It genuinely felt like standing amidst misty mountain peaks.

"Ha, two absolute hicks. Like you'd even know how to appreciate tea like this."

With that, she took a few deliberate steps toward Jade.

She moved with an effortless grace, yet her dark eyes were as cold as ice. The crushing pressure rolling off her made Jade's chest tighten, and a flicker of panic flashed in her eyes.

Realizing she was actually intimidated by an outsider, Jade puffed out her chest to hide her fear.

"What do you want?" she raised her voice to mask her guilt. "I'm warning you, this is the St. Claire family. Don't you dare cause trouble here!"

Phoenix stopped half a meter away.

Without a single word of warning, a sharp gust of wind whipped through the air.

Slap!

A vicious, resounding slap landed squarely on Jade's face.

The sharp crack echoed loudly through the quiet pavilion.

Jasper froze. He had assumed the two girls would just exchange some nasty words. He never expected this Ms. Prescott to be so utterly ruthless—she didn't waste a single breath and just attacked!