Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 492

Life at the Prescott Group had been akin to walking on thin ice recently.

Ever since Ethan and Caleb severed all ties with the Prescott Family, the various factions holding old grudges against the family swarmed like a pack of bloodthirsty wolves, tearing into them without mercy.

Even though Caleb possessed extraordinary intellect, he had been stagnant and defeated for years. Expecting to reclaim his peak status in such a short time was a fool's errand.

Merely sustaining the massive shell of the corporation was already draining every ounce of his lifeblood.

"Mr. Prescott, several core projects have completely stalled. If this drags on any longer, our cash flow will dry up by next week!"

"Mr. Prescott, the banks are demanding immediate loan repayments again. They're clearly kicking us while we're down."

"Mr. Prescott..."

The atmosphere in the conference room was suffocating.

Caleb's brow was locked in a tight knot. He massaged his throbbing temples as he listened to the rapid-fire reports from his subordinates, feeling as if a damp clump of cotton was stuffed in his chest, making it impossible to breathe.

For an entire hour, every single piece of news tossed onto the table was a disaster.

If it wasn't a canceled project, it was a loan recall.

Tap! Tap!

Caleb rapped his knuckles hard against the table, the heavy sound finally silencing the chaos in the room.

"That concludes today's meeting." He stood up abruptly and pushed through the doors without looking back, his retreating figure betraying a deep, undeniable exhaustion.

Only after his footsteps faded did the conference room erupt again.

"Is Mr. Prescott... completely out of options?"

"Sigh, the Prescott Group is just a hollow shell now. It's only natural those outside forces are biting down and refusing to let go."

"Honestly, it's a miracle Mr. Prescott has kept us from totally collapsing this long."

"Hey, do you guys think we should start preparing and look for new jobs before the ship sinks?"

The room buzzed with anxious whispers, everyone predicting their imminent doom.

If they hadn't still respected Caleb's past reputation and leadership, this group would have scattered long ago.

With the Prescott Group teetering on the edge, bankruptcy seemed like merely a matter of time.

Ethan's words were cruel but brutally honest.

Caleb took a deep breath, pressing his hand against the cold glass, a self-deprecating smirk tugging at his lips. "I used to think that as long as the Prescott Group was handed over to me, I had the skills to bring it back to life."

"Looking at it now, I thought too highly of myself. Without Phoenix pulling the strings in the shadows, I'm... really just a nobody."

He turned around, his gaze suddenly turning sharp and resolute. "Dad, I'm going to see Ms. Monroe at Ignis Global."

Ethan's eyes widened slightly as he instantly understood his son's intention. "Caleb, are you sure about this? Once you choose to submit to Ignis Global, we... we will never be truly independent again."

"I'm sure." Caleb nodded heavily, his hands clenching into tight fists. "Compared to survival, concepts like independence and pride are just illusions."

What was the point of having a backbone if you were dead?

And so, Caleb dialed Macy Monroe's number.

On the other end of the line, after hearing his reason for calling, Macy smoothly set a time and hung up.

She set her phone down and looked up at Phoenix, who was sitting across from her, a playful smirk curling on her lips. "Phoenix, it looks like Caleb really can't hold on much longer."

Phoenix's slender fingers absentmindedly twirled a delicate pocket knife. The silver blade danced between her digits, catching the cold light.