Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 461

Her impassioned speech instantly ignited a fire in everyone present.

They were young, driven, and the absolute elite in their respective fields.

And right now, Phoenix Prescott was anything but short on cash flow. After all, both Ignis Global and Draco Enterprises were quietly funneling capital into her operations.

To ensure Astraea Group became an unstoppable force sweeping through Highcrest, she didn't mind burning through cash until the established elites trembled with fear.

The meeting adjourned.

Lewis and Quinn Yardley were asked to stay behind.

Lewis's research on the Solid-State Battery Tech had hit a bottleneck. To achieve a major breakthrough, a massive injection of funding was required.

Furthermore, the company needed to recruit more top-tier talent to assist him with the complex calibration work ahead.

"Quinn, as Meredith's deputy, you've already designed several massive hits. The momentum is incredible." Phoenix looked at the reborn young woman, her eyes filled with approval. "Moving forward, if Lumina Jewelry is going to completely dominate the Highcrest market, we need a few core pieces that will truly command the spotlight. Are you up for it?"

"Yes!" Quinn nodded firmly, her gaze resolute. "Ms. Prescott, I won't let you down. Meredith and I are going to push Lumina Jewelry onto the global stage. We'll make every socialite and heiress proud to wear our pieces!"

"Excellent!"

Phoenix watched the siblings, unable to help but marvel at the unpredictability of fate.

The horrific car crash caused by Phoebe Prescott all those years ago had inadvertently delivered these two brilliant minds right into her ranks.

Had Lewis and Quinn never suffered that tragedy, their terrifying level of talent and intellect would have undoubtedly made them the most prized assets of some other corporate titan by now.

Stepping out of the corporate high-rise, both Lewis and Quinn were flushed with excitement, their hearts racing with ambition.

One was itching to dive straight back into the lab and pull an all-nighter, while the other was already mapping out her next batch of design blueprints.

They had come from nothing, and that crash had pushed them into a bottomless abyss, condemning them to four years of living hell. But now...

Not only was Quinn fully recovered, but they had been handed a priceless platform to realize their dreams.

This gift of a second life was something they could never repay, even if they spent the rest of their days trying.

"Grrr—"

An ill-timed rumble from a stomach shattered the energized silence.

The siblings looked at each other, instantly embarrassed.

No matter how fired up their spirits were, their mortal bodies still needed fuel. Otherwise, where would they get the energy to hustle?

"Lewis, let's grab a quick bite at that diner up ahead. It's fast and easy, so we can save some time," Quinn suggested.

"Sounds good. Lead the way!"

...

Inside a dim, damp basement, the pungent stench of mildew hung heavy in the air.

Splash!

A bucket of ice-cold water hit them squarely in the face. Lewis and Quinn gasped, jolting awake from their unconsciousness.

The moment their eyes opened, they saw several menacing men towering over them.

"Who the hell are you?" Lewis demanded, fighting down his panic as he shielded his sister behind him. "Why did you kidnap us?!"

"Hahaha, Mr. Yardley, Miss Yardley. Relax, it's just a misunderstanding."

Accompanied by a light chuckle, a man strolled slowly out from the shadows.

He was impeccably dressed, his hair perfectly styled, radiating an aura of entitled arrogance.

His tailored suit was completely at odds with the grimy basement, making him look like a wealthy aristocrat who had taken a wrong turn into the slums.

But it was a face Lewis and Quinn knew all too well.

"You?! Duncan St. Claire?!"