Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 502

As soon as Caleb announced his decision, the entire room gasped in shock.

"Oh, keep dreaming." Zander fumed, his eyes filled with contempt. "You are nowhere near qualified to marry Zoe."

He glared at Caleb, his gaze tangled with intense jealousy and disdain.

Why? How could the fat cow secure such an incredible match?

In his eyes, that woman was meant to be trampled like dirt forever, never allowed to rise above her station.

Only then could he, Zander, sit comfortably on the throne as the most dazzling successor of the Vaughan family.

"Well, this is certainly lively."

A cool, slightly languid voice suddenly rang out as three tall figures gracefully walked through the door.

The moment the crowd saw who it was, a wave of suppressed gasps swept through the hall.

Vanessa trembled, her eyes locking onto the woman in the center, completely unable to look away.

"Phoenix?!"

She stood up abruptly, her voice trembling with barely concealed excitement and hope. "Are you... here to see me?"

But Phoenix Prescott didn't even glance her way, acting as if she hadn't heard a thing.

She walked straight over to Ethan and sat down beside him, giving a slight nod. "Ethan, sorry I'm late."

Ethan's pupils contracted slightly, a shockwave rippling through him.

Phoenix hadn't mentioned coming to the Vaughan estate beforehand, and saying this on purpose... was she blatantly throwing her weight behind the Prescott family?

"Not at all, you're right on time." He quickly caught on, a relieved smile tugging at his lips, his eyes full of gratitude.

Taking all of this in, Dominic's expression shifted drastically.

He knew better than anyone that the current Phoenix was a force to be reckoned with.

Not only was she the mastermind behind Ignis Global, but she also had Pierce's Draco Enterprises backing her up.

Just recently, she had stirred up a massive storm in Highcrest, becoming the successor to that legendary woman.

Zoe stood frozen, feeling utterly dazed.

She never could have imagined that the father who had verbally abused and despised her just seconds ago could suddenly utter such incredibly considerate words.

At that moment, she realized with crystal clarity: in the face of absolute power, all obstacles were rendered laughably fragile.

"Not bad." Phoenix chuckled in satisfaction, raising her teacup in a distant toast. "Caleb, congratulations in advance on a lifetime of happiness."

"Phoenix, thank you." Caleb turned and gave her a deep, solemn bow. "If it weren't for you today..."

Phoenix raised a hand to cut him off, her tone nonchalant. "We're family, there's no need for thanks. You earned this."

"Phoenix, thank you." Zoe also bowed, her eyes rimmed with red. "Even though we haven't interacted much... I've always known you're a good person."

Rumors claimed she had become ruthless and cold-blooded after getting out of prison, but Zoe knew that was just the blade she used against her enemies.

Beneath her impenetrable exterior, there was still a heart of pure warmth. Otherwise, she never would have lowered herself to sit here today just to back Caleb up.

Phoenix stood up, walked over, and gently patted Zoe's shoulder with profound sincerity. "Zoe, Caleb is a man worthy of your trust. Cherish this."