Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 109

*Smack!*

A crisp slap rang out, cutting off Mavis's defense.

The air seemed to freeze in that moment. Both Mavis, who was clutching her face, and Milo, who was standing to the side, were stunned.

They stared blankly at Meredith. This girl, once as meek as a lamb, now had an unprecedented, icy fury burning in her eyes.

"Mavis, that slap was for running your mouth." Meredith took a deep breath, her voice steady and powerful. "If you feel wronged, choke it down. Because I will never apologize."

With that, she turned to Milo, her expression softening slightly. "Milo, I'm taking off. I'll buy you a meal sometime."

Milo nodded instinctively, only recovering from his shock once her slender figure had walked away.

Meredith strode confidently toward the Maserati, pulled the door open, and climbed into the passenger seat.

The moment the car door closed, the imposing aura she had put up instantly vanished, and her heart began pounding wildly in her chest.

"Phoenix! I... I just slapped Mavis across the face!" Meredith gripped her seatbelt, exclaiming loudly. "Oh my god! That felt... that felt so good!"

Phoenix watched her excitement and smiled wryly, shaking her head. "You should have slapped her a long time ago."

"I just didn't dare to at first." Meredith pouted, muttering in frustration. "I never expected her to truly be a master manipulator, practically cut from the same cloth as Phoebe."

Phoenix raised an eyebrow. Though she hadn't heard much about Mavis from Meredith previously, given Phoebe as a specimen for manipulative behavior, she could easily sniff out one of their own kind.

It was just that Meredith was far too innocent. If she had been told the truth outright, she might not have believed it. Only by letting her witness it with her own eyes and experience it for herself would she completely see through these people.

"Phoenix, I suddenly understand why you didn't just squash Phoebe right away," Meredith suddenly said, looking enlightened. "With the resources Yara left you, destroying Phoebe would have been a piece of cake."

"I get it now. Just squashing them outright is letting trash like that off too easy. Making them thrash repeatedly between hope and despair, watching the power slip from their hands bit by bit—that's true punishment. That's true satisfaction."

Phoenix raised a hand to her forehead, pretending to be exasperated. "Merry, I'm starting to regret teaching you all this. Don't tell me you've turned to the dark side?"

"Hehe! Turning to the dark side makes you ten times stronger, they really weren't lying! From now on, none of those Millers will ever trick me again." Meredith lifted her chin, her face written with pride and confidence.

Seeing her like this, the stone in Phoenix's heart finally dropped.

Since it was still early, Phoenix decided to finally solve her transportation issue. She couldn't just keep driving Macy's car. Even though Macy was generous enough to just give it to her, she... preferred to pick out a car that truly belonged to her.

"Then what are you waiting for?" Penelope demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Yes, yes, I'll go arrange it immediately." Wiping a cold sweat, Curtis jogged off.

The moment the manager left, Penelope's face instantly shifted. She affectionately hooked her arm around Ian's and said softly, "Ian, once we pick up the car, let's grab dinner together, alright?"

"I have to head back to the set later. I don't have time." Ian frowned, bluntly pulling his arm back.

Faced with such cold treatment, Penelope didn't get angry, but rather showed a hint of panic. "I'm sorry, I was being inconsiderate and forgot about your work. Tell you what, I'll inject another million dollars into the production later. Consider it compensation for wasting your time."

Ian finally gave a reluctant nod, his expression softening slightly. "Fine, I'll let it slide this time."

This scene fell perfectly into the sight of Phoenix, who had just walked through the doors.

Looking at the groveling, desperate Penelope Sterling, only one word came to her mind—

Simp.