Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 173

"You could say that." Pierce admitted frankly, the rich aroma of the red wine carrying a hint of bittersweet aftertaste as it slid down his throat.

"As an ally, let me give you a piece of advice. Silas is far more complicated than you think. Better safe than sorry," Phoenix suddenly said.

Pierce furrowed his brow, his gaze suddenly locking onto her face as he voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind. "Phoenix, who exactly are you? You... seem to know far too much."

Phoenix paused slightly, then lifted her gaze, looking past the crowd to Alistair in the distance. A bottomless undercurrent surged in the depths of her eyes.

"Like I said, I'm a ghost crawling back from hell."

Her voice was feather-light, yet it carried a crushing weight, seeping with a bone-chilling hatred. "I only came back for one reason—to bring certain people despair, and regret."

Pierce instinctively tightened his grip on his wine glass.

The woman before him was smiling radiantly, yet she seemed to be wreathed in hellfire—dangerous, but fatally alluring.

"By the way, I've actually always had a question." Phoenix suddenly pulled her gaze back, tilting her head to look at him with a hint of curiosity. "Why does everyone respectfully call you 'Ninth'? Is there a deeper meaning behind the title?"

Pierce froze slightly, not expecting her to take an interest in that.

If anyone else had asked, he wouldn't have bothered answering, but meeting Phoenix's clear yet deep eyes, he felt an inexplicable urge to open up.

"My mother had a difficult labor with me. When I was born, I was deprived of oxygen for a long time and nearly died." Pierce traced the edge of his glass, his voice low and distant. "Seeing my difficult birth, my grandfather feared my life would be filled with hardships, so he gave me the number 'Nine' in my name. It symbolized the hope that I would have nine lives like a cat and overcome any disaster. That's how I got the nickname 'Little Ninth'."

"Later, as I made a name for myself in elite circles, people respectfully started calling me 'Ninth'."

"Oh?" Phoenix's eyes lit up slightly. "So that's how 'Ninth' came about. I assumed it was because you were the ninth child in your family."

Pierce's lips twitched into a faint curve. "My mother only had one son..."

At this, his voice trailed off, a flash of imperceptible sorrow crossing his eyes.

Phoenix sharply caught that fleeting emotion and understood—he was thinking of his deceased mother.

If Pierce's mother were still alive, perhaps he would have had siblings, but unfortunately...

"Gideon, congratulations on your recovery." Alistair leaned on his cane, his face plastered with a wide smile. "Now that you're back at the helm, the Miller family will surely reach new heights."

"Oh, Alistair, please don't flatter me." Gideon waved his hand with a bitter smile. "I'm done for, I'm old. This empire will eventually be handed over to the younger generation. I just want to enjoy my twilight years in peace."

Alistair raised an eyebrow. It seemed Gideon throwing this grand banquet was about far more than just celebrating his recovery. He probably had a major decision to announce.

If Milo was officially named the heir, and Phoebe could secure an engagement with him, the Prescotts could leverage the Millers' power to restore their former glory.

"True. The younger generation these days are all sharp as tacks, far more capable than two old men like us." Alistair sighed, then shifted the conversation. "By the way, why don't I see the legendary Azure Healer?"

At the mention of the Azure Healer, a look of helplessness crossed Gideon's face. "I sent the invitation, but unfortunately, the doctor prefers peace and quiet and didn't grace us with his presence."

Alistair's eyes darkened slightly. "That's a shame. I was hoping to use this opportunity to meet such a master."

"Alistair, your granddaughter is quite close to the doctor. As long as she puts in a word, I'm sure he would show some courtesy," Gideon said with a knowing smile.

Alistair froze for a second. Phoebe had a deep connection with the Azure Healer? But according to Julian's report, Phoebe had paid a hefty price just to get the doctor to move.