Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 444

"Phoenix Prescott, you dare touch me?!" Barrett's eyes widened in horror, his voice cracking from absolute terror.

Phoenix stared down at him with a predatory gaze. Her dark eyes were completely frozen over, taking in every ounce of his pathetic bravado.

"Barrett, when you were hiding in the shadows, I couldn't be bothered to waste my energy stepping on you. But since you insisted on jumping right into my face today, how could I refuse to indulge you?"

Her voice was smooth and melodic, but to Barrett, it sounded like the terrifying hiss of a venomous snake, sending violent shivers down his spine.

"Pierce."

"Understood."

Pierce's lips curled into a cruel, ruthless smile. "Barrett, Phoenix has a thing for symmetry. So... try to endure this."

Before the words even finished echoing, he raised his leg with the force of a thunderbolt, viciously kicking Barrett's one remaining good leg.

"Ahhhh!"

The muffled crunch of shattering bone, paired with an agonizing, lung-tearing scream, exploded through the room, making every guest's heart shudder violently.

When the crowd looked back at Phoenix and Pierce, they couldn't mask the sheer terror in their eyes.

Just half an hour ago, many of them had been holding their champagne flutes, eagerly waiting to see this small-town nobody from Cloudhaven grovel at the feet of the Highcrest elite.

But now, every trace of contempt had been ground into dust.

This man and woman were not soft targets to be manipulated. They were two untouchable apex predators who feared absolutely no one.

Barrett was, at the very least, a lapdog for the Quincy and Osborne families, and you were supposed to look at the owner before striking the dog.

Yet Phoenix and Pierce hadn't given those two powerful families an ounce of respect. They had crippled the man completely, in front of everyone.

Watching from the sidelines, Duncan and his family looked as pale as death.

They had severely underestimated Phoenix's decisive cruelty and ruthless nature.

In this young woman, they could see the terrifying shadow of the legendary Yara St. Claire.

"Throw him out."

Jasper stepped forward seamlessly, offering a deep, respectful nod to Phoenix before signaling with his hand.

Two security personnel immediately dragged the wailing, sobbing Barrett out of the banquet hall like a sack of garbage.

A few striking drops of blood remained on the floor.

Phoenix acted as if nothing had happened. She smoothed the skirt of her gown and offered a radiant smile. "Everyone, I am so sorry for interrupting the mood."

"But I believe you are all gracious people. Highcrest has always been a welcoming city, and after tonight, I'm sure you will all kindly forget this minor hiccup."

Forget? How could they ever forget!

This scene was going to be seared into their memories like a brand.

These two from Cloudhaven were absolute reapers; they were people you simply did not cross.

Phoenix's gaze drifted, slowly sweeping across the entire hall. "Since Barrett has already delivered his 'grand gift,' is there anyone else in a rush to present theirs?"

Accompanied by the sharp click of heels against the marble floor, Isabella stepped out from the crowd. Her cold eyes locked directly onto Phoenix's.

Seeing Isabella reveal herself, a subtle wave of murmurs rippled through the tense crowd.

The notorious Harpy of Highcrest was stepping into the ring herself. This was going to be a real show.

Isabella wasn't a fringe player like Barrett. She was the legitimate heiress backed by the elite Quincy family. She was ruthless, venomous, and a dangerous force no family dared to cross.

Crippling Barrett was just kicking a dog, but if Phoenix dared to go head-to-head with Isabella, it would be a blatant declaration of war against the entire Quincy family.

Hiding in the shadows, Duncan felt a surge of dark joy.

If these two women tore each other apart, he would perfectly sweep in and reap the rewards.

"Miss Sinclair, what kind of surprise have you prepared for me?" Phoenix maintained her smile, though her eyes were devoid of warmth. Where their gazes collided, invisible sparks seemed to ignite.

Pierce smoothly stepped a half-pace forward, positioning himself in a highly aggressive stance.

If Isabella made even the slightest wrong move, he was going to make sure she bled on the spot.

"Bring the gift in," Isabella ordered, clapping her hands twice.

Four massive security personnel struggled under the weight of a heavy, long black rectangular box, slowly making their way into the hall.

When the object finally came into full view, a collective, sharp intake of breath echoed through the room.

It was a pitch-black casket!