Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 172

The entire crowd turned to stone.

What was going on?! Not only did the Miller girl touch the Ninth, she was actually pushing him? And the craziest part was that he wasn't flying into a rage? It was completely unheard of!

The man who had just been scared off nearly cursed out loud. "Damn, talk about double standards?!"

Pierce kept a cold expression, seemingly passive, but he half-willingly went with the flow and arrived at Phoenix's side.

"Phoenix, look who I dragged over!" Meredith popped her head out from behind Pierce, flashing Phoenix a playful smile that demanded praise.

Phoenix turned around, her eyes meeting Pierce's slightly stiff, handsome face. She blinked in surprise. "Ninth?"

Macy's gaze darted between them, a look of amusement flashing in her eyes. Standing together, they were like two apex predators whose auras clashed, yet they looked inexplicably harmonious, as if they were made for each other.

"Phoenix, you two are married, you shouldn't be flying solo," Meredith lectured with a serious expression. "Pierce was standing all alone in the corner just now. It looked so sad and lonely."

Caspian's mouth twitched as he listened. This girl had some nerve! She actually dared to use the word "sad" to describe the Ninth?

So many people here couldn't even find a way to suck up to him because his aura was too terrifying for mortals to approach!

Looking at Pierce, he remained completely unfazed by the evaluation, showing absolutely no sign of anger. This man's double standards were truly outrageous.

Phoenix rubbed her forehead helplessly. "Merry, are you that eager to pawn me off?"

"That's where you're wrong!" Meredith linked arms with her, beaming. "You and Pierce are both absolute bosses. With the two of you joining forces to cover me, I can walk sideways through Cloudhaven!"

Phoenix: ...The logic was so flawless she was speechless.

Seeing this, Macy couldn't help but laugh. "Merry makes a good point. I originally thought you were destined to be single forever, Phoenix, but with a wingwoman like her around, finding a real match is only a matter of time."

She knew perfectly well that Pierce and Phoenix's marriage was just an agreement on paper.

But watching Meredith stir the pot, who knew if this fake relationship might accidentally turn into something real?

"Right! Macy, you tell me, looking at all of Cloudhaven, is there anyone else besides Pierce who is worthy of Phoenix?" Meredith looked incredibly proud, as if showing off a rare treasure.

Macy nodded seriously. "Now that you mention it, that's true. You really can't find a second man in this city who can handle Phoenix's energy."

Phoenix and Pierce stared at each other, the atmosphere turning delicately awkward, but both tacitly chose to stay silent—saying anything now would only make it worse.

Even though the background checks on her seemed completely ordinary, it was exactly that "ordinariness" that highlighted how unfathomable Phoenix truly was. In this circle, it was impossible to wipe a past that clean without absolute power.

At this thought, Pierce's curiosity peaked. What kind of secrets was this woman hiding?

"Ninth, regardless, I still need to thank you for that matter."

"Oh?"

Phoenix grabbed a glass of wine from a passing waiter's tray and handed it to Pierce.

Pierce took it, and the two glasses clinked lightly in the air with a crisp sound. The swirling wine reflected Phoenix's half-smiling face, giving her an almost breathtakingly dangerous beauty.

"I know you were the one who handled the stalker last time."

Pierce wasn't surprised; Phoenix's sharpness was far beyond ordinary, so it was only a matter of time before she figured it out. "I just happened to be passing by and cleaned up the trash. Besides, the guy trailing you had ties to Silas Sterling."

He took a sip of his wine, his gaze darkening. "I used the opportunity to give Silas a little warning. So I wasn't just helping you, I was helping myself."

Phoenix swirled her glass, her voice cool. "So, you've gathered enough leverage to make your move against Silas?"