Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 170

"Naturally," Phoenix gently swirled the red wine in her glass, the crimson liquid leaving seductive trails on the crystal. "When they think they are the main characters of the stage, only to discover at the very end that they are nothing but clowns for everyone to laugh at... that's when the scene is truly spectacular."

Meredith's eyes instantly lit up. "Phoenix, you really are brutal. From now on, anyone who dares to cross you probably won't even know what hit them."

The words drifted into Felix's ears, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

Thinking back to when he had followed Julian's orders to make things difficult for Phoenix, he realized how incredibly lucky he was to have woken up early and switched sides. Otherwise, he couldn't even imagine what his fate would be right now.

On the other side of the room, Phoebe used her exquisite acting skills to successfully close the distance with Milo Miller.

Seeing this, Alistair nodded in deep satisfaction. With this, the relationship between the Prescott and Miller families would take another step forward.

"Alistair, it seems Phoebe is quite capable. She's having a great conversation with Milo," Julian seized the opportunity to suggest. "Why don't we strike while the iron is hot and bring up an arranged marriage with Gideon?"

Alistair pondered for a moment, his gaze shifting to Gideon Miller, who was chatting with an old friend not far away. "You stay here. I'll go test the waters with that old man."

"Understood!"

A bright gleam flared in Julian's eyes. Since the old man was willing to step in, this marriage was practically eighty percent guaranteed.

Phoebe had really proven her worth this time. As long as the marriage between the two families was finalized, the Prescott family's status would undoubtedly skyrocket.

"Julian!"

A crisp but slightly timid voice interrupted his thoughts.

Julian frowned and turned around to see a slightly plump girl walking toward him.

Zoe Vaughan.

This was his uncle Dominic Vaughan's daughter. Dominic had secured two spots for this event, and his intentions were obvious: for his son to network with the powerful, and for his daughter to find a good match.

But Julian knew perfectly well that Zoe, with her stubborn obsession, had eyes for no one but him.

"Julian, it's been a while." Zoe awkwardly twisted her fingers, her gaze fixed on him with undisguised adoration.

Julian kept a cold face, his tone impatient. "Why aren't you going to meet more people with your dad? Why did you run over to find me?"

Zoe's face stiffened, and she scrambled to explain. "I... I just wanted to come say hi. If you don't want to see me, I-I'll leave right now."

Since they were still relatives, Julian didn't want to make the situation too ugly, so he brushed her off. "I have to meet some important friends right now, so I don't have time to catch up. We'll talk later when I'm done."

Julian narrowed his eyes, calculating in his head. If Phoebe secured Milo, and he managed to win over Mavis, the Prescott and Miller families would be thoroughly bound together, making his position within the Prescott family unshakeable.

As if seeing right through Julian's thoughts, Mavis gently swirled her champagne and said nonchalantly, "Julian, I'm not a good fit for you. An elite like you should be investing in a 'potential stock' like Meredith Miller."

"What?" Julian frowned, looking completely bewildered. "What do you mean by that, Mavis? Isn't Meredith a discarded pawn of the Miller family?"

"A discarded pawn?" Mavis shook her head, a mocking smirk curling her lips. "On the contrary. The true star of tonight's banquet is probably that very 'discarded pawn.'"

Julian's pupils shrank as the realization hit him.

If she truly was a discarded pawn, how could she appear at an occasion like this, dressed in such a dazzling, attention-grabbing way? This was clearly a path carefully paved by the Miller family.

Could Mavis be telling the truth? Was Meredith, who had served prison time, actually highly valued by the Miller family's upper echelon?

"Julian, if you have any intention of securing Meredith, I can lend you a helping hand." Mavis lowered her voice, a chilling, sinister glint flashing in the depths of her eyes.

Julian's expression shifted slightly. Catching the undisguised resentment in Mavis's eyes, he became even more certain: Meredith was already threatening Mavis's position, which was why she was so eager to use him as a weapon.

"There are too many eyes and ears here. Let's find somewhere else to talk in detail."