Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 469

As soon as the words left her mouth, more bodyguards in black suits poured out from the shadows, completely encircling Duncan.

Looking at these lethal enforcers, whose eyes held zero trace of humanity, Duncan's psychological defenses shattered. His knees gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor.

"Beat him," Phoenix ordered, looking down at him with the same indifference she would use to discuss the weather. "Every ounce of pain Lewis and Quinn suffered, make him pay it back in full."

"Yes, Boss!"

The bodyguards swarmed him instantly, their fists and boots raining down on Duncan with merciless precision.

The sickening thuds of the beating and the man's agonizing screams instantly filled the grand living room.

Watching her husband being brutalized on the floor, Lorraine and Jade screamed themselves hoarse.

"Stop! Stop hitting him!"

"Phoenix! You dare torture my dad like this?! I will never let this go!" Jade struggled to lift her head, shrieking hysterically at Phoenix.

But that furious threat only earned a dismissive scoff from Phoenix.

"Jade, look at the pathetic mess you're in right now. What exactly are you going to do to me?" Phoenix leaned down slightly, looking at the once-arrogant princess with utter disdain. "From the very beginning, you've been nothing but a desperate clown performing for attention."

"Did you honestly think that simply carrying the title of the 'St. Claire Heiress' gave you a free pass to be a spoiled brat for the rest of your life? Strip away the shiny armor this family gave you, and what are you? You're nothing."

Every single word acted like a poisoned dagger, plunging ruthlessly into Jade's heart.

Jade's sobbing stopped abruptly, her expression turning utterly vacant.

Phoenix's brutal, unapologetic dissection had completely pulverized the pride she held so dear.

"Besides burning through cash and throwing tantrums, what exactly can you do?" Phoenix stood up straight, her gaze freezing over. "Learn your place and keep your head down. Maybe then you'll live a few more years. Otherwise... tomorrow morning, there'll be another unidentified corpse floating in the Highcrest River."

Jade shuddered violently. She slowly lifted her head, meeting Phoenix's bottomless eyes, and a crushing wave of inadequacy swallowed her whole.

The woman standing before her was radiant, composed, and possessed an untouchable authority.

She couldn't help but remember their very first meeting, how she had tried to put Phoenix in her place just because of her status.

"Mom... can we really fight back?" Jade collapsed onto the floor, offering a bitter smile that looked worse than crying. "We've already been kicked out of the family, and Dad was beaten half to death. If we keep crossing her... we're going to end up dead."

"Jade, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?! Has she completely broken you?" Lorraine cut her off sharply, glaring at her daughter.

All Jade could see was Phoenix's reaper-like stare. She hugged her arms, her voice trembling. "I just think... maybe we should surrender? We can't beat her..."

Smack!

A sharp slap landed directly on Jade's cheek.

Jade touched her rapidly swelling face, her pupils vibrating as she stared in disbelief at the mother who had always pampered her.

Lorraine froze too. She stared blankly at her stinging palm, a flash of panic crossing her eyes—she had just hit her precious daughter.

"Jade, I'm sorry, Mom just lost her temper..." Lorraine rushed forward, pulling her daughter into a guilt-ridden hug. "But look at what Phoenix has done to this family. If we swallow this, how will we ever show our faces in Highcrest again?"

She cupped Jade's tear-stained face, lowering her voice, a touch of mania creeping in. "Jade, don't be afraid! Your dad and I still have one last trump card. When the time is right, we'll turn the tables and crush Phoenix under our feet!"