Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 451

The sudden turn of events sent a wave of sheer panic through the status-obsessed socialites of Highcrest.

Lumina Jewelry had become the ultimate symbol of wealth and prestige; wearing their latest collection meant you were the absolute center of attention.

Unwilling to accept defeat, frantic wives exhausted their contact lists, blowing up the phones of Lumina's executives to find out what was going on. But the response was uniformly cold: "No comment."

Thoroughly panicked, the elite women scrambled to contact personal shoppers in other cities, desperately trying to bypass the blackout.

Yet, the situation grew even more bizarre: any buyer traced back to a Highcrest registry was instantly denied. Even out-of-town proxy shoppers, once discovered, were permanently blacklisted by Lumina Jewelry.

It was only then that these pampered women felt a genuine chill run down their spines—this was no mere business restructuring; it was a targeted, precision strike against the Highcrest elite.

But the terror didn't just end with the wives. Several major Highcrest families who relied heavily on overseas markets were hit with a devastating blow—their supply chains were completely severed.

"What the hell is going on?! Why did Oceanic Logistics unilaterally terminate our contract?! I demand an explanation!"

"All our cargo is stranded at the docks? We can't ship a single crate? Get me the head of Oceanic Logistics on the phone immediately!"

"If they won't do it, find someone else! If this shipment doesn't leave the port, our losses will be catastrophic!"

Just as the prominent trade families were imploding, Highcrest's most exclusive entertainment venues abruptly hung "Temporarily Closed" signs on their doors.

These elite playgrounds generated millions of dollars a day. Every day they remained closed meant a staggering fortune evaporated into thin air.

Accustomed to a life of decadent luxury, the wealthy heirs thought the club owners had completely lost their minds. While Highcrest wasn't short on other entertainment venues, the difference in class and exclusivity was like night and day.

The Highcrest elites prided themselves on their image, used to throwing money around to flaunt their superiority. Now, unable to buy top-tier jewelry or enter the most exclusive clubs, it was as if they had been stripped of their privilege overnight and thrown back to the bottom of the food chain.

But this storm was only just beginning.

A massive earthquake struck the electric vehicle sector—top-tier technical talent was being poached at exorbitant prices by a mysterious influx of capital.

This was Highcrest's most lucrative and booming pillar industry. If it collapsed, the entire economic lifeline of the city would crumble with it.

One by one, these seemingly unrelated events wove together, finally alerting the powerful overlords of Highcrest to the looming danger.

A meticulously crafted net had been cast over them.

Benedict, however, didn't share his enthusiasm. He let out a long sigh and slowly shook his head. "So what? Even if Phoenix has the ability to run a company, this summit is doomed to be a ghost town. As long as the Quincy family refuses to yield, who in Highcrest would dare cross Quentin Quincy?"

"No, you're wrong!" Lowell's cheeks flushed with agitation. "They won't just go, they'll fight for a seat! Even with Quentin's threats, he won't be able to stop them!"

"What did you say?" Benedict froze, looking up at his grandson in bewilderment.

"Grandfather, look closely right here." Lowell pointed to a line of tiny print at the very bottom of the invitation.

Benedict narrowed his eyes and leaned in. When the names of those companies registered in his mind, his pupils contracted sharply. He bolted upright from his armchair, his face etched with unconcealed shock.

"I see... I see it now!" Benedict's hands trembled slightly, a fierce light bursting in his eyes. "Brilliant. What a masterstroke by Phoenix to break the blockade! Even I underestimated her!"

He took a deep breath, his voice shaking from the sheer impact of the revelation. "It seems... the Lancaster family placed the right bet after all."

There, at the bottom of the elegant invitation, sat a few lines of small print:

Co-organizers: Lumina Jewelry, Oceanic Logistics, and The Miller Group.