Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 456

The malice in Quentin's eyes was practically overflowing.

He had miscalculated—completely and utterly miscalculated.

Phoenix's ruthlessness ran far deeper than he had ever imagined.

A year ago, this woman had already planted her roots in Highcrest. Using untraceable hacking methods, she had flawlessly blinded them all, allowing her influence to seep into every vein and artery of the city like liquid mercury.

Quentin's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, emitting a sickening crack as fury boiled in his chest.

Yara St. Claire was already a nightmare lodged in his throat, and now Phoenix Prescott had emerged to drag him right back into an inescapable death trap.

The entertainment industry was the face of Highcrest, the playground where the elite burned money and wove their social networks.

Lumina Jewelry was the ultimate status symbol, the gateway that satisfied their vanity and cemented their class.

And then there was The Miller Group, holding the core patents for the EV sector—the most critical industry of the era. Anyone who wanted a piece of the EV market had to bow to them.

What a monstrous, inescapable web! These overlords, who prided themselves on controlling the board, had been slowly suffocated like fish in a tightening net without even realizing it.

A bitter sneer twisted Quentin's lips.

A city-wide ban? It was an absolute joke!

With Phoenix holding these three lifelines in a death grip, the greedy wolves of Highcrest would fall to their knees and beg her to rule the city.

"Mr. Quincy, you look... a little pale. Should I call an ambulance for you?" Phoenix stepped forward, the click of her heels sounding like the grim reaper knocking on a door. Her eyes gleamed with undisguised mockery.

Suddenly, she leaned in slightly, bringing her lips to Quentin's ear, her voice dropping to a whisper meant only for him. "Quentin, Highcrest without Yara has been quite the cozy little nest for you. But I'm here now, and this place—is about to become your living hell."

"The game has just begun. I hope... you don't lose too pathetically."

Quentin's pupils shrank violently. He glared at the stunning face before him, his gaze looking as if he wanted to tear her apart alive.

Beside him, Emmett clearly felt the murderous intent practically erupting from Quentin's body and broke into a cold sweat. If Quentin lost control and attacked her right now, they would lose everything.

"Everyone, take this opportunity to listen. I have an announcement to make."

Just as the tension reached a freezing point, Pierce stepped forward. His expression maintained its usual aloof, high-and-mighty indifference. "Starting today, Oceanic Logistics will enter a comprehensive, deep partnership with Astraea Group."

The sky over Highcrest had officially changed.

After the summit concluded, a colossal business alliance centered around Astraea Group was born.

The Miller Group, Lumina Jewelry, Oceanic Logistics... one legendary giant after another aligned under her banner.

The birth of this behemoth not only violently shattered Highcrest's existing power map but pressed a blade directly against the throat of the Quincy family.

No one could have predicted that Phoenix, this "outsider," would ascend to the throne with such terrifying, destructive force, stepping over the bones of the old kings.

...

Late that night, at the Quincy estate.

Barrett Lowery lay slumped on the freezing marble floor like a dead dog. He was covered in blood, barely clinging to life.

He had just endured a hellish beating, and the one who delivered it was none other than Emmett Osborne.

Emmett took a hot towel from a servant, wiped the blood from his knuckles in disgust, and dropped heavily into the leather sofa. "You useless piece of trash! Phoenix was building her empire in Highcrest a year ago and you noticed nothing! What the hell is the point of keeping a dog like you around?!"