Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 1

Blackwood Penitentiary.

It was known as the most heavily fortified prison in the country.

Only the most dangerous, maximum-security inmates were locked away behind these walls.

Today, however, a fleet of luxury cars was parked outside the imposing gates of Blackwood.

Creak.

The heavy metal doors swung open.

A slender girl with short hair and a backpack stepped out into the daylight.

Her chin-length hair was neat and sharp, and her bright eyes hadn't been dulled by the vicious criminals inside; instead, they had grown calm, composed, and unreadable. Dressed in a simple white t-shirt and blue jeans, she looked clean, effortless, and free.

The prison guards stared at the young woman in stunned silence, wondering if she was the supposed VIP.

"Phoenix Prescott, now that you're out, keep your nose clean and don't come back," the guard escorting her out advised kindly.

Phoenix nodded, closed her eyes, and took a deep, greedy breath of the sweet, free air.

Four years!!

Four whole years!

She was finally out of that hellhole!

"Ms. Prescott!!"

A deafening roar broke the silence, making Phoenix frown.

She opened her eyes to see two rows of burly bodyguards standing at attention. "Where did you all come from?" she snapped impatiently. "Get the hell out of here!!"

"Ms. Prescott!!"

A scrawny man hurried forward, a sycophantic smile on his face. "We wouldn't dare leave. Coach Yara gave us strict orders. Since you're being released today, we have to throw you a welcome party to wash away the bad luck."

Phoenix started to turn around, but the man quickly blocked her line of sight. "Ms. Prescott, now that you're out, you can't look back. It's bad luck."

"In the past, I might have believed in those superstitions..." Phoenix said, slowly and deliberately turning her head to look back at the prison. "But now... I only believe in myself."

With that, she faced the prison and gave a solemn nod of absolute respect.

"Coach Yara, and to all my mentors inside, I'm taking my leave."

Four years ago, Phoenix's biological parents had sent her to this nightmare of a prison to take the fall for their adopted daughter, who had killed someone in a hit-and-run.

Back then, she had been as weak as a lamb, bullied relentlessly by the monsters inside.

What she needed now was leverage—a sharp blade to help her ruthlessly cut her way back into the Prescott family.

Four years ago, she had never fought or schemed, only wanting her family's approval, yet she ended up behind bars.

Now, she was returning to the Prescott family to take back everything that belonged to her, one by one, and ensure that everyone who had despised and harmed her met a miserable end.

Sitting in the backseat, Phoenix scrolled through the files on her phone, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Pierce Sterling. A notorious misogynist, the Reaper of Cloudhaven... He's a perfect choice." Phoenix traced her finger lightly over the photo of Pierce on her screen.

If she tried to negotiate with this man using normal methods, she probably wouldn't get anything out of it.

Fortunately, the older generation of the Prescott and Sterling families had arranged a marriage between them. That would be her way in.

"Eustace, head to the Godel Golf Club."

Eustace hesitated for a moment. "Ms. Prescott, are you sure about the Godel Golf Club? I heard Mr. Sterling booked the entire place for himself today..."

"Just drive. Less talking."

Eustace immediately shut his mouth, though his heart was pounding.

She said she was going to get married, and now they were heading straight to the Godel Golf Club. Was her prospective husband Mr. Sterling himself?