Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 15

"Dad! Mom! Phoenix hates me for taking her place... If this is what it takes for her to let go of her anger, if it brings peace to this family..." Phoebe turned to Vanessa and Warren, her eyes welling with tears, choking on her words as if she might pass out the next second. "I... I'll just leave!"

"Phoebe! Don't be ridiculous!" Warren pulled her tightly into his arms, his heart breaking. "You will always be my precious daughter! This lunatic today..."

Swish—Crack!

Before he could finish, a vicious blur tore through the air with a piercing shriek.

The tip of the whip kissed Warren's shoulder and back like a venomous snake. Fabric shredded instantly, and a mist of blood sprayed into the air.

A grotesque, crimson slash was immediately branded onto his flesh.

"Ahhh!" After a second of dead silence, Vanessa let out a shrill scream and lunged forward. "Honey!"

Lawrence and all the maids present froze, their minds blanking out.

Snatching the whip was shocking enough, but who could have imagined the young heiress would actually use it? And with such brutality?

Warren convulsed in agony, sucking in cold air. He twisted his head to glare at Phoenix, his eyes filled with toxic resentment and unbelievable terror. "You... how dare you!" His voice was warped with pain.

Crack!

The second lash fell without a moment's hesitation, striking his side. The tearing agony forced a horrific, inhuman wail from his throat.

Phoenix stood her ground, looking like a demon of judgment. The whip dragged against the floor beside her, dripping thick beads of blood that hammered against every taut heartbeat in the room.

"The first strike is for your blind eyes and rotten heart, for degrading the Prescott bloodline and mistaking garbage for gold."

Her voice was icy, carving straight to the bone.

She slowly raised the whip again. "The second strike is for abandoning morality, slandering your own flesh and blood, and proving yourself unworthy of being a father."

The moment the words left her mouth, the third lash followed like a shadow.

"Argh!" Warren collapsed into Vanessa's arms, reduced to agonizing gasps.

Vanessa and Phoebe finally snapped out of their sheer terror. "Guards! Somebody! Stop her!"

The shrill, distorted scream tore through the air.

Dozens of men in black suits instantly swarmed in from the doors, forming an iron wall around Phoenix.

Surrounded, the smirk on Phoenix's lips only grew colder, laced with a hint of contemptuous amusement. With a casual toss, she threw the blood-soaked rawhide whip perfectly into the trembling arms of Lawrence.

A second ago, Phoenix had been as ruthless as a grim reaper. Now, she bounded over to the elder like a swallow returning to its nest.

The frost on her face melted into a sweet, obedient smile. She naturally looped her arm through the old man's, her voice soft and sweet. "Grandpa, you're here."

The instant switch left everyone stunned.

Alistair's wrinkled hand gently covered Phoenix's, patting it with deep affection and protective warmth. "Don't be afraid, Phoenix. Grandpa is here. No one will ever bully you."

Phoebe's mind was a tempest of panic.

She had calculated everything, but she never imagined this bitch could summon the patriarch.

With him here, they wouldn't gain a single inch today.

Forcing down her fear, she sniffled and put on her most pitiful, wronged expression, stepping forward to garner sympathy. "Grandpa..."

"Hmm?!" Alistair's gaze turned as sharp as a blade. A single icy glare shot through her, pinning her in place. Her limbs went cold, and she didn't dare take another step.

"Alistair! What is the meaning of this?!" Vanessa was both anxious and furious, supporting her agonizing husband. "Phoebe is your granddaughter too! How is she supposed to cope with this kind of blatant favoritism?!"

"Hmph! I, Alistair Prescott, only have one granddaughter," he declared decisively, his voice echoing with absolute authority. "And that is my Phoenix."