Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 462

"Well, since you two still recognize me, that makes things a whole lot easier."

Duncan shot a look at his men. The thugs immediately backed away, clearing the center of the room.

Duncan casually dragged over a battered wooden chair and sat down elegantly in front of the siblings. A bright smile plastered across his face, as if he were trying his hardest to appear friendly.

But to Lewis and Quinn, the smile merely hid a nauseating layer of malice and calculation.

"I invited you two over because I want to make a deal."

"Heh, invited us?" Lewis scoffed coldly, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Duncan, is this how you 'invite' your guests? This is outright kidnapping!!"

He struggled violently, but the thick ropes binding his wrists and ankles were tied in dead knots, completely unyielding.

"Oh, don't get so worked up." Duncan sighed in mock exasperation, furrowing his brow. "I was just worried you wouldn't give me the time of day, so I resorted to slightly... aggressive measures. But rest assured, once our business is concluded, we'll all be on the same team."

"Screw you!" Lewis spat fiercely, his stance unbending. "I will never be on your team!"

Duncan didn't lose his temper. Instead, he slowly dusted off his sleeve. "I won't beat around the bush. You two are once-in-a-generation talents. Whether it's in the EV sector or jewelry design, you've both demonstrated astounding value."

"So, I am officially inviting you to join my organization."

"In your dreams!" Lewis didn't hesitate for even a fraction of a second, shutting him down instantly. "Our lives belong to Ms. Prescott!"

"Oh, please. You're working for Phoenix Prescott for the money, aren't you?" Duncan sneered, a flash of arrogant disdain crossing his eyes. "I'll offer you a hundred million. A hundred million dollars a year. How about it?"

Hearing the astronomical figure, Lewis and Quinn froze for a second.

They never imagined Duncan would throw down such a terrifyingly high offer just to poach them.

For the vast majority of people, a hundred million dollars a year would secure their betrayal in a heartbeat.

But Lewis and Quinn had already seen through the hollow reality of the world while teetering on the edge of death.

Now, even if Phoenix didn't pay them a single dime, they would still charge into battle for her without a second thought.

Because what they owed her was a debt of rebirth that couldn't be repaid with their lives—a priceless gift no amount of money could ever measure.

"Save your breath, Duncan." Lewis shook his head, a mocking smirk tugging at his lips. "No matter what you offer, I'll never agree. My life has belonged to Ms. Prescott for a long time now."

Duncan casually adjusted his collar and turned to leave.

Since money couldn't pry open their mouths, he would use extreme starvation to crush their willpower inch by inch.

The news of Lewis and Quinn's abduction quickly reached Phoenix's ears.

Pierce Sterling, Macy Monroe, and Meredith Miller arrived immediately.

They sat in a tense circle, the atmosphere heavy with dread.

"Phoenix, do we even have to guess? It has to be that old fox, Quentin!" Macy slammed her hand on the table, her face flush with anger. "He lost so much face before. To get back at us, he ordered a hit on Lewis and Quinn."

"One is our EV mastermind, and the other is Lumina's top designer. Taking them out is a devastating blow to Astraea Group!"

But Phoenix shook her head, her voice low and composed. "Quentin wasn't the one who kidnapped them. Though he's definitely pulling strings behind the scenes."

"Phoenix, if it isn't Quentin, who else could it be? The Osborne family?" Meredith asked, her brows knitted in confusion.

"It's Duncan."