Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 431

"Duncan, it seems you have a problem with me."

The cold, steady female voice drifted in from the doorway, carrying a frosty edge that instantly stalled Duncan's overbearing momentum.

Two tall figures stepped through the entrance side by side.

The man was devastatingly handsome, an untamed, predatory edge lingering in his dark eyes; the woman was stunningly radiant, moving with an effortless, regal grace.

Their combined auras intertwined, radiating an absolutely suffocating pressure.

Duncan had read the files on Phoenix Prescott before.

He had always harbored intense doubts about the successor his sister, Yara, had personally chosen. Why should some greenhorn girl take over the entire St. Claire empire?

But seeing her in person now, that unflappable poise was undeniably extraordinary.

"Dad, it's her!" Jade pointed a trembling finger at Phoenix, her eyes burning with pure venom. "That bitch slapped me twice!"

Duncan stood up abruptly, his face dark as a thundercloud, and marched straight toward Phoenix.

For a split second, the bodyguards in the hall tensed, their muscles coiling. It seemed that with a single word from Duncan, they would lunge at the young couple like a pack of starved wolves.

"So, you're the successor Yara chose? Phoenix Prescott?" Duncan stopped half a foot away, his chin raised as he looked down at her with an arrogant, deeply aggressive stare.

"I am," Phoenix replied, her lips curving into a shallow smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Are you putting on this grand show to get justice for your daughter?"

The hostility radiating from Duncan vanished in the blink of an eye, instantly replaced by a wide, obsequious smile. "Hah, how could I?"

He rubbed his hands together, adopting an incredibly submissive posture. "Phoenix, you are the one Yara personally selected. If I laid a finger on you, wouldn't that be a slap to my sister's face?"

"Besides..." He whipped his head around and glared viciously at Jade, who was already staring at him in utter shock. "This rebellious daughter of mine has been far too spoiled. She doesn't know her place. It's only right that you taught her a lesson on my behalf!"

"Dad?!" Jade's eyes widened in sheer disbelief, her voice pitching into a shrill shriek. "Are you out of your mind?! Your own daughter got slapped in public, and instead of defending me, you're praising her?!"

"Jade! Get over here and apologize to Phoenix!" Duncan barked, his expression hardening into a severe scowl.

"I'll leave the arrangements to you," Phoenix offered a slight nod.

She had fully braced herself for a brutal confrontation, but she never expected Duncan to lower himself to such a groveling extreme. His act was watertight, denying her any excuse to strike first.

Shortly after, guided by Butler Jasper, Phoenix and Pierce headed straight for the guest room.

The moment the heavy carved wooden doors clicked shut, Pierce impatiently pinned Phoenix against the door, leaning down to capture her lips in a deep, consuming kiss.

His scent swept over her with undeniable, dominant aggression.

It wasn't until Phoenix was breathless and her cheeks were flushed with heat that she finally pushed him back a few inches. "Pierce," she panted helplessly, "I'm suddenly starting to regret accepting your confession."

"Oh, regretting it now? Too late." Pierce gently traced her swollen lips with his thumb, a wicked, triumphant smirk playing across his handsome features. "Once I'm sold, I don't accept returns."

Phoenix rolled her eyes playfully and covered his mouth with her hand as he leaned in for more. "Stop messing around. Let's talk business."

Pierce caught her hand, tangling his fingers with hers as he led her to the sofa. His expression sobered. "You're saying that old fox Duncan is far from a pushover?"