Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 168

Felix froze, his eyes flickering intensely. As he looked at Phoenix, the usual slickness was gone, replaced by a sincerity he had never shown before.

It was the first time he had ever heard such an evaluation.

Throughout his life, his ears had only been filled with his father-in-law's insults and mockery, and even the woman sharing his bed looked at him with contempt.

Once upon a time, he had harbored grand ambitions too, only to have his head smashed against the brutal politics of the corporate world. Eventually disheartened, he chose to rot away in the HR department, living out his days as a mediocre, greasy middle-aged man just waiting to die.

But now, Ms. Prescott was actually praising him?

"Ms. Prescott, I... will never let you down." Felix dropped his playful facade, his expression turning unusually serious.

Phoenix nodded slightly and turned her gaze to Yolanda. "You did very well. You're brave, driven, and there's a tenacity in your bones. You don't easily bow to power."

"The tasks I'll need you to handle in the future will inevitably involve dealing with people in high positions. Today, I brought you here to familiarize yourself with this so-called 'high society' and see just how muddy these waters truly are."

The light in Yolanda's eyes grew brighter as she straightened her back. "Ms. Prescott, I will never embarrass you either!"

Phoenix curled her lips, turned to gaze into the depths of the banquet hall, and said softly, "Let's go. The show is about to start."

The moment Phoenix stepped into the hall, two tall figures watched the scene unfold from the shadows of a nearby corner.

"Pierce, your wife... she's truly something else." Caspian Thorne rubbed his chin, clicking his tongue in admiration. "Her aura just now—I almost felt like she completely overpowered Alistair."

Pierce stood with his hands in his pockets, his narrow eyes slightly narrowed. His handsome face was obscured by the shadows, making it impossible to read his emotions.

"It's a pity. I thought we could leave you a chance to play the hero saving the damsel in distress. But the beauty took care of everything herself. She just dominated from the get-go."

Caspian's description was entirely accurate.

"Let's go." Pierce sighed softly and began to walk away.

"Hey, what's the rush? By the way, you still have one spot left. Do you want to... bring someone else in?"

"Get out."

Pierce spat out the words coldly. Caspian shrank his neck and helplessly followed. Two grown men attending a banquet like this together was definitely a bit awkward, and he would have loved to bring a female companion, but Pierce wouldn't allow it.

Before she could finish, her eyes lit up. The initial confusion vanished, replaced by sheer clarity. "I understand. Whether it's Lumina Jewelry or the Miller family, my original intention remains the same—to protect you, and the people I cherish."

"Exactly. No matter what position you hold, as long as your original intention doesn't change, the core remains the same." Phoenix spoke firmly. "Believe in yourself. With your abilities, you're more than capable."

Meredith broke into a radiant smile. Deep down, she understood the logic, but she just wanted to hear the praise directly from Phoenix. Even a simple word of encouragement filled her with strength, giving her the infinite motivation to charge into battle.

"By the way, where is your husband?"

"Huh?"

Phoenix paused for a moment, not immediately registering who the title referred to.

"Phoenix, don't tell me you forgot about your husband?" Meredith looked at Yolanda and Felix standing behind Phoenix, her eyes widening in exaggerated heartbreak. "Has your poor, handsome husband truly been forgotten just like that?"

"Merry, what are you talking about?" Phoenix frowned, feeling a bit helpless. "Pierce has his own invitation."

"That's completely different!" Meredith corrected her seriously. "Phoenix, your husband is actually a really great guy. Why don't you give him a chance?"