Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 471

"Everyone sitting here is one of our own, comrades we can trust to watch our backs."

Phoenix Prescott stood up abruptly, planting her hands firmly on the edge of the conference table.

She scanned the room, her deep eyes blazing with an intoxicating mix of ambition and razor-sharp determination.

"Starting today, the group will go all-out for the final debugging of the Solid-State Battery Tech! As long as the yield rate breaks eighty-five percent, then..." She curled her fingers and knocked heavily on the table, as if she were pinning the entire map of Highcrest beneath her hand.

"We will dictate the terms of the new energy vehicle sector in Highcrest."

"Long live Phoenix!"

"Long live Astraea Group!"

The conference room instantly erupted in passionate cheers.

Everyone's faces were flushed, their eyes filled with fanatical zeal for the future.

As a cutting-edge startup, it was unbelievable that they had managed to crash into Highcrest's cutthroat business circle with such overwhelming force, sweeping away the competition.

In this breathtaking achievement—one poised to go down in industry history—every single person in the room was about to leave an indelible mark on this bloodless war.

Phoenix raised her hand slightly, silencing the crowd, and a proud smile curved her lips. "No, it should be... long live Lewis!"

Instantly, the cheering flared up again, everyone applauding for Lewis Yardley and the impending glory.

Right now, Astraea Group was like an indefatigable war machine running at maximum RPM, roaring wildly.

It was about to morph into a savage beast with its jaws wide open, ready to swallow the rest of Highcrest's factions whole.

In this brutal reshuffling of power, any wavering forces would be mercilessly crushed, and only those standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Astraea Group would have the last laugh.

Night fell.

The Astraea Group headquarters remained brightly lit, standing tall like an unsleeping fortress.

For the final sprint, swarms of employees voluntarily stayed at their desks to work overtime.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Grab a bite to eat first." Holden Hunter walked into the office area carrying bags of takeout, his face glowing with a warm smile as he handed out the late-night snacks to the overtime staff.

"Thanks, Mr. Hunter! You're really the best boss we could ask for."

"Haha, Mr. Hunter, once the Solid-State Battery Tech officially launches, you'll definitely get the credit you deserve. You're the anchor of our entire project team, our logistical lifesaver!"

The employees chatted and laughed while devouring their food, bringing a touch of vibrant warmth to a workplace otherwise filled with cold data.

"Keep pushing, everyone. Once we win this battle, we'll all be the heroes of the group!" Holden patted a few shoulders with a laugh, offered some words of encouragement, and then turned toward the CEO's office.

The moment he stepped into the blind spot of the corridor, the warm smile vanished from his face.

Holden glanced back warily. After confirming no one was watching, he slipped into the CEO's office as swiftly as a ghost.

Looking at the empty room, his tense nerves relaxed slightly.

He lightened his footsteps, creeping toward Phoenix's desk like a nocturnal cat.

The core files for the Solid-State Battery Tech were locked inside Phoenix's computer.

As long as he copied them and took them away... Astraea Group, stripped of this core technology, would be equivalent to having its heart ripped out alive!

A desperate, murderous light flashed in his eyes—no matter what, he absolutely could not be exposed before sending out the data!

Click, clack, click.

The sound of high heels striking the floor drew closer like a death knell, heading straight for the desk.

Holden's knuckles turned white from gripping the handle so tightly.

It seemed she was dead set on coming over to check.

Since you're so eager to die, don't blame me...

"Yolanda!"

A loud shout from outside suddenly halted Yolanda in her tracks.

"Yolanda, there's an urgent document here that needs to be sent to Ms. Prescott for a signature immediately!"

"Alright, I'm coming."

With a soft thud, the door to the CEO's office was pulled tightly shut again.

Under the desk, Holden finally began to gasp for air, his back completely drenched in cold sweat.

He stood up on trembling legs, turned the monitor back on, and watched the progress bar hit one hundred percent.

Without a second of hesitation, Holden yanked out the flash drive, restored the computer to its original state, and slipped out of the room as silently as he had come.