Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 175

"Mr. Miller, this is a tremendous blessing! With the Azure Healer watching over you, you'll surely live a long and healthy life."

"Sir, if the opportunity arises, you must introduce us so we can catch a glimpse of the legendary doctor."

The guests surrounded Gideon like stars orbiting the moon, drowning him in a tide of flattery. However, between the lines of their praise lay poorly concealed jealousy and sourness, which was exactly what Gideon enjoyed the most. Smugness radiated from his expression.

"Haha, I'd love to let you all meet him. Unfortunately, the doctor prefers peace and quiet and didn't attend today." Gideon waved his hand in feigned regret, before raising his voice. "However, there is another piece of joyous news to announce at tonight's banquet."

He paused, sweeping his gaze across the room. "And that is—my granddaughter, Meredith Miller, is officially returning to the Miller family today."

The announcement was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly sending the banquet hall into an uproar.

"The Miller heiress? Hasn't it always been Mavis? Where did Meredith come from?"

"You don't know the half of it. This Meredith went to prison three years ago for stealing corporate secrets. She was released last year but never returned home. I thought the Millers had cut ties with her for good. Who would have thought the old man would welcome her back so publicly?"

On the outskirts of the crowd, Alistair Prescott held his wine glass, his gaze unreadable.

For Gideon to announce it so publicly, it meant he was determined to clear Meredith's name. In that case, the true value of Phoenix and Meredith's "sisterhood" needed to be completely re-evaluated.

Phoebe keenly caught the calculating gleam in Alistair's eyes, and a wave of displeasure surged in her chest. This fence-sitting grandfather was probably going to lean toward that bitch Phoenix again.

Her eyes darted around, and she lowered her voice. "Grandfather, what if... Julian could get together with the true Miller heiress? Wouldn't that be incredibly beneficial for our family?"

Alistair raised an eyebrow, glancing at his granddaughter. "You mean..."

"Grandfather, I saw Julian getting quite close to Meredith earlier. I think... there's a ninety percent chance they can make it work." A meaningful smile crept onto Phoebe's lips.

Alistair nodded slightly, a sharp glint in his eyes. "If your brother can actually win Meredith over, that would certainly be excellent. A powerful alliance between the Prescotts and the Millers would make us unrivaled in the business world."

Phoebe narrowed her eyes, silently praying in her heart: *Julian, you better not mess this up.*

Whether they could win back their grandfather's favor entirely depended on whether Julian could force the issue and make it a done deal tonight.

Just moments ago, she had received a text from Julian saying he was going to pull off something "huge" with Meredith. As for what that meant, it was blindingly obvious to anyone with half a brain.

"Grandfather, I'm not making it up!" Mavis's eyes reddened with desperate tears as she shook her head, looking utterly wronged. "I saw it with my own eyes. I... I even took a photo..."

With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone.

Thaddeus Miller, standing nearby, strode forward and snatched the device from her grasp.

On the screen, in a dimly lit hallway, "Meredith" was seen being pulled toward a guest room by a man. Although it only showed her back and profile, the clothes and figure were unmistakably hers.

Thaddeus's eyes darkened instantly, the veins on his forehead bulging.

"Dad, I'm sorry! I should have told you sooner. But... I was afraid you'd be even more disgusted with her if you saw, so I didn't dare say anything." Mavis spoke timidly, tears welling up. "I thought she would take this banquet seriously and come back quickly, I never imagined..."

"Shut up!" Thaddeus roared, cutting her off entirely.

He was consumed by frustration. Whatever lingering guilt he felt over Meredith's wrongful imprisonment had instantly crumbled to dust upon seeing this photo, vanishing into thin air.