Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 115

Dead silence filled the room.

The onlookers who knew of Leo's background were all struck with horror. The tyrant of the south district, notorious for his vicious temper, was acting this submissive toward Phoenix and Meredith? They genuinely wondered if they were hallucinating.

"Who dares to mess with our Ms. Sterling?!"

Another rough voice echoed through the showroom. The crowd turned to see Vinnie leading a few thugs, charging in with murderous intent.

"Vinnie?" Leo turned around, his gaze instantly turning as sharp as a blade. "It's me. What, are you going to beat me up?"

Vinnie took one look at Leo's face and shuddered violently, nearly dropping to his knees. "B-Boss Leo?! What are you doing here?!"

"Why can't I be here?" Leo scoffed coldly, casting an unfriendly glance at Penelope. "Don't tell me you're here to back up this Ms. Sterling?"

Vinnie quickly scanned the room. The moment his eyes locked onto Phoenix, his legs involuntarily squeezed together, and cold sweat soaked through his shirt.

Oh, dear god! What kind of nightmare was this?

He just wanted to make some quick cash by acting as muscle for Ms. Sterling. How did he end up running into his boss, and worse, this absolute demon?!

Did this mean... the person Penelope wanted to teach a lesson was Phoenix?

Vinnie turned deathly pale and practically scrambled over to Leo.

"Vinnie, what is the meaning of this?" Penelope shrieked in fury. "I called you here to back me up, and now you're siding with them?"

"Ms. Sterling, are you crazy? Do I even know you that well?" Vinnie frowned, instantly adopting a completely dismissive attitude. "I only worked as your muscle once for the money. Don't act like we're close!"

After saying that, he hastily turned to Leo with a sycophantic smile. "Boss, don't misunderstand. I have nothing to do with this woman."

"Is that so?" Leo narrowed his eyes, his tone deadly. "But I just heard this Ms. Sterling called you over to teach my Ms. Prescott a lesson."

Vinnie shivered violently, internally cursing Penelope's ancestors. This woman was completely insane! Sure, she carried the Sterling family name, but she was just a distant relative. What did Pierce Sterling's power have to do with her? Phoenix was Pierce's wife—the legitimate Madam of the Sterling family! How could someone like Penelope afford to offend her?

"Never! Absolutely not!!" Vinnie shook his head like a rattle, then glared viciously at Penelope. "Ms. Sterling, how could you slander me like this? The truth is, I heard you were plotting against Ms. Prescott, so I rushed over specifically to warn you not to try anything stupid!"

"Ah, thank you, Ms. Sterling!" Curtis's eyes practically glowed. He cheered internally: His commission was secured!

With another beep confirming the transaction, Penelope felt the room spin. She wasn't short on money, but the sheer humiliation of being forced to pay for someone else's car was worse than death.

"Just you wait!" Penelope put her card away, desperate to escape the place that had completely destroyed her dignity.

Ian glared at Phoenix with utter resentment. "You bitch, don't celebrate too early. You offended Penelope today, and in the future..."

"Slap—!"

A crisp slap abruptly cut off his threat.

Ian's head jerked sharply to the side. He was entirely stunned by the blow.

"You... you actually dared to touch my face with your filthy hands?" Ian clutched his cheek, his eyes bloodshot as he glared furiously at Phoenix. He valued his face more than his own life; he would freak out if even Penelope touched it. Now, Phoenix had viciously slapped him in public!

In that instant, he wanted to destroy the entire world.