Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 176

"Thaddeus?" Seeing his son's face turn livid, a deep sense of foreboding rose in Gideon's chest.

Thaddeus gripped the phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. If his father saw this photo, he might just collapse from a heart attack right then and there. And worse, in front of all these watching eyes, Meredith's reputation—along with the entire Miller family's dignity—was about to be dragged through the mud!

That rebellious daughter! How could she have zero self-respect and fool around with some random man at such an important event?!

"Thaddeus, say something! What happened to Meredith?" Gideon stomped his foot in sheer panic, urging him repeatedly.

"Dad, Meredith..."

"Dad, what about me?"

A voice as crisp and cold as shattered jade cut through the crowd, instantly drawing every eye in the room.

At the entrance of the banquet hall, Meredith was walking in arm-in-arm with Macy Monroe. Her steps were elegant, and a bright smile illuminated her face. "I just went out for some fresh air with Macy. Why do you all look like you've seen a ghost?"

"Meredith?" Thaddeus's eyes went wide, staring at his completely unharmed daughter in absolute disbelief.

"Meredith, how are you here?" Mavis looked like she had been struck by lightning, staring at Meredith in sheer horror, her voice breaking. "Weren't you with..."

"Mavis, were you going to say that I should be in bed sleeping around with some random man right now?" Meredith narrowed her eyes, her gaze scraping across Mavis's face like a razor. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I've been with Macy this entire time."

"Exactly," Macy tilted her chin up, radiating pride. "My friend had a little too much to drink and felt dizzy, so I took her out to the garden to catch some air. Does the second Miss Miller have a problem with that?"

"That's impossible!" Mavis shrieked, losing her composure. "I clearly saw you being dragged into a guest room by a man! I even took a photo!"

"Did you now?" Meredith shook her head helplessly, a mocking smirk playing on her lips. "You sure care a lot about me, keeping such close tabs on my whereabouts. I simply ran into a drunk male guest on my way out and kindly asked a waiter to help him to a guest room to rest. That was it."

"After that, Macy and I went to the courtyard. If you don't believe me, go check the security footage."

At that, Meredith and Macy exchanged a glance, smiling knowingly. Everything was perfectly understood without needing another word.

"That's impossible! Weren't you with Julian?"

Phoebe blurted out from the crowd in a panic.

The entire hall erupted.

Phoebe was equally stunned, her mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.

Had Julian lost his mind? How did he end up sleeping with that fat cow Zoe?!

She snapped her head to look at Phoenix, her eyes filled with terror. Could it be... that Phoenix orchestrated this whole thing behind the scenes? Otherwise, how would she have this video, let alone have the guts to play it in public?

"Mr. Prescott! Aren't you going to give the Vaughan family an explanation?!"

Dominic Vaughan stormed up to Alistair, furious. He had originally brought his daughter here to mingle with the elites and secure a good marriage, never expecting her reputation to be ruined by Julian!

The Prescotts already had ties through his sister, Vanessa, so marrying Zoe off to them now was entirely redundant. It was a complete waste of a valuable chess piece!

"Dominic, calm down." Alistair forced down the raging fire in his chest and said darkly, "Since the deed is already done, then... let's formally arrange their marriage."

Dominic clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He was incredibly dissatisfied with this outcome, but he knew that blowing up right now would only make the Vaughans the laughingstock of the city. Cutting his losses was a businessman's instinct.

"Fine, since the two kids are 'mutually in love,' as elders, we naturally won't stand in the way of their romance," Dominic gritted out through his teeth, forcing out a diplomatic excuse.