Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 436

"Is this... the VIP's car? Why is it so pathetic?"

"Duncan, is there some mistake?"

"Hah, we came to greet a VIP, not watch a clown show."

The murmurs rippling through the crowd quickly escalated into sharp, biting mockery.

Duncan absorbed every word, a thrill of triumphant excitement flashing in his eyes. On the surface, however, he frowned deeply, pretending to smooth things over. "Everyone, please remain calm. There might be a misunderstanding. I was so focused on the interior arrangements tonight that I neglected the outdoor reception."

He paused, then slowly added, "After all, to be chosen as my sister's successor, one would assume she knows the basic rules of etiquette."

With one effortless sentence, he completely washed his hands of the impending disaster.

Hearing this, the crowd immediately concluded that this so-called rising star simply had no idea how Highcrest society operated. Showing up with such a pitiful display was genuinely beneath them.

The black sedan slowly rolled to a halt.

By now, any lingering curiosity or anticipation had vanished from the guests' faces, replaced entirely by undisguised contempt.

In this vanity fair, face held far more weight than actual cash.

Every single person standing here possessed massive fortunes. What they cared about was pageantry and the enforcement of class barriers.

In their eyes, an ignorant, newly rich upstart was no different from a street thug with a few dollars to rub together—they simply didn't deserve to step foot in this circle.

With a soft click, the car door opened.

Duncan instantly plastered on an overly enthusiastic smile and stepped forward, putting on the absolute perfect show of hospitality.

But when he saw exactly who stepped out of the car, his smile froze, and he blurted out in shock, "Jasper? Why is it you?! Where are Miss Prescott and Mr. Sterling?"

Jasper calmly adjusted his suit jacket, offering a slight bow as his voice remained perfectly steady. "Duncan, Miss Prescott and Mr. Sterling have already arrived."

"What?!" Duncan whipped his head around, scanning the area frantically, but there wasn't a soul in sight. What terrified him even more was the fact that Jasper had just referred to Phoenix as 'Miss Prescott'!

That was an exclusive title reserved solely for the absolute head of the St. Claire family!

Even his own daughter, Jade, was only called that in private among family. Yet now, in front of the entirety of Highcrest's elite, Jasper had publicly crowned Phoenix with that title. The implications were chilling.

"Jasper, what the hell are you playing at?" Duncan lowered his voice, his teeth grinding together as he demanded an answer. "Are you trying to rebel?"

The moment Duncan saw the helicopter, a violent wave of dread washed over him.

Yet he desperately clung to a final shred of hope, silently praying that this was just some passing titan who decided to drop by to see Yara's successor out of sheer curiosity.

"Dad, what is going on?" Jade hurriedly marched over in her heels, panic written all over her face. "Where is that bitch? Why didn't she get out of the car? Did she run away at the last minute?"

"Jade, shut up!" Lorraine glared at her daughter, her eyes darting nervously across the surrounding guests. "Haven't we given these people enough reasons to laugh at us already?"

After scolding her daughter, she turned a deeply worried look toward Duncan. "Husband, that helicopter just now..." Clearly, her mind had jumped to the most terrifying possibility as well.

"...Let's just go inside and see what happens." Duncan exhaled heavily, forcing down his rising panic, and led his wife and daughter back into the banquet hall.

By now, every single eye in the room was completely glued to the doors of the VIP elevator. Since the elite guest had landed on the roof via helicopter, they would naturally descend through that specific elevator.

Ding.

The elevator doors smoothly slid open, and the instant the crowd caught sight of the figures behind them, a deathly, paralyzing silence fell over the room.

Every single person's eyes widened in sheer, uncontrollable shock.