Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 495

Phoenix raised her hand, gently waving her index finger to cut him off. "Caleb, say no more. I know exactly why you called Macy. You simply want to borrow Ignis Global's influence to help the Prescott Group survive this life-or-death crisis."

Caleb's heart seized. When he looked at Phoenix again, his gaze inadvertently carried a mix of tension and profound helplessness.

In front of this woman's overwhelming aura, the composure and grace he was so proud of felt like an absolute joke.

All his meticulous plotting and scheming couldn't hold a candle to a single, casual glance from her.

Just then, a barista walked over with a tray, gently placing an iced Americano in front of Caleb.

Phoenix ordered a hot latte. Only after the barista walked away did she slowly and deliberately speak a single sentence: "Relying on others is never as good as relying on yourself."

"Phoenix, I understand the logic!" Caleb lowered his voice, his tone laced with anxiety. "But the Prescott Group is surrounded by a pack of wolves. If we don't find a way to break this deadlock within a week, I'm afraid it's really going to..."

"You need an ally." Phoenix's voice was soft, yet it struck Caleb's heart like a heavy sledgehammer.

"An ally? Are you saying... the Prescott Group should ally with Ignis Global?" Caleb's eyes widened in disbelief.

"No. The current Prescott Group isn't qualified for that." Phoenix took a small sip of her freshly served latte. Every word she spoke cut deep, yet it was an undeniable reality.

Caleb let out a self-deprecating laugh.

She was right. Ignis Global was now a colossal empire that stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Draco Enterprises. Those two were true allies—swords sharp enough to pierce the sky over Highcrest.

His crumbling Prescott Group couldn't offer any equivalent value, so what right did he have to ask for an alliance?

"She's here," Phoenix suddenly said, turning her gaze toward the entrance of the cafe.

"Hmm?"

Caleb followed her line of sight and saw a slightly chubby girl with adorably round cheeks pushing the door open and stepping into the cafe.

The moment he recognized her face, Caleb's expression shifted drastically. He whipped his head back, staring at Phoenix in utter shock. "You... you invited Zoe here too?"

"Yes." Phoenix nodded slightly, a meaningful smirk curling on her lips. "You're a smart man, Caleb. You should understand my intention, right?"

A jolt of lightning seemed to flash through Caleb's mind, and everything instantly became clear.

Phoenix's meaning couldn't have been more obvious.

She wanted the Prescott and Vaughan families to continue their marriage alliance!

As long as they could tie the Vaughan family to their sinking ship, the Prescott Group would no longer be an isolated piece of meat.

Those predatory factions and debt-collecting banks would back off and give the Prescott Group room to breathe, simply out of respect for the Vaughan family.

The mess caused by Vanessa and Warren was like a poisoned thorn lodged deep in the hearts of everyone in the Vaughan family—impossible to pull out, and impossible to swallow.

Filled with doubt, Zoe slowly dragged her feet over and sat down across from Caleb.

Seeing this, Macy and Meredith instantly huddled next to Phoenix like two curious cats.

Macy lowered her voice to gossip, "Phoenix, what kind of play is this? Why are you suddenly playing matchmaker for Caleb and Zoe?"

Meredith blinked her big eyes, looking amazed. "Could it be... Caleb has a secret crush on Zoe?!"

"No way?!" Macy almost gasped out loud, quickly covering her mouth. "Caleb is so handsome, and he's a wealthy heir. Why would he like a girl who's... well, a bit on the chubby side, like Zoe?"

Objectively speaking, Zoe's looks weren't exactly stunning, and she was on the plumper side. At best, she could be described as "cute and endearing."

For a man like Caleb, who was used to dealing with glamorous socialites, it stood to reason he would never fall for her.

But... Phoenix had incredibly sharp eyes.

She had distinctly caught the hidden, fiery intensity buried deep within Caleb's feigned composure whenever he looked at Zoe.

Since she was back in Cloudhaven with nothing to do anyway, and given they shared the same blood, she didn't mind giving them a push to make this match happen.