Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 178

Zoe lowered her head, not daring to argue back, but beneath her anxiety, a secret flutter of joy danced in her heart.

Regardless of how it happened, the deed was done. Now that they had slept together in front of everyone, she could naturally marry him, and she'd never have to worry about being shipped off to marry into some other random family again.

In the shadows nearby, Pierce took in the entire scene, a playful smirk curling on his lips.

"Phoenix, is this the brilliant show you orchestrated? It's truly spectacular."

"Now the Prescotts have lost face, and even the Vaughans look like fools. A perfect double kill."

Phoenix sat elegantly with her legs crossed, gently swirling her wine glass. The crimson liquid left seductive, lingering trails along the crystal.

"Ninth, this is just the warm-up. The real show hasn't even started yet."

Pierce raised an eyebrow. The Phoenix before him was entirely composed, radiating the aura of a grandmaster strategist. It was as if this entire banquet hall was merely her chessboard, and everyone present was nothing more than a pawn moving at her fingertips.

On stage, Meredith wrapped up her clarification about the past misunderstandings.

"Ms. Miller, although you suffered greatly, this is truly a rebirth for you."

"The heiress is radiating pure queen energy today. I heard Lumina Jewelry is already a top-tier brand under your leadership."

A chorus of flattering compliments immediately rang out from the floor.

Everyone here knew exactly how to play the game. Seeing how much Gideon valued Meredith now, who would dare underestimate the weight of the Miller heiress?

"Actually, I owe my current success to one person." Meredith's gaze swept through the crowd, landing precisely on Phoenix. "If it weren't for her, I never would have made it out of that place alive."

Phoenix raised her glass from afar, a faint smile on her lips.

Meredith also took a glass of red wine from a waiter's tray and raised it solemnly. "Phoenix, a toast to you."

The crowd's attention instantly zeroed in on Phoenix. Many recognized her as the newly returned true heiress of the Prescott family, whose tragic past mirrored the Miller heiress's perfectly.

Both had returned from that purgatory-like place, and both had staged a dominant comeback with the backing of their family elders.

No one could have guessed that Phoenix and Meredith shared a life-and-death bond. Now, with Phoenix controlling Prescott resources, leaning on a massive pillar like Pierce, and being best friends with the Miller heiress, her future was undeniably limitless.

Gideon shot Alistair a meaningful glance, a gentle smile spreading across his face, as if giving his old friend immense face. "For that, I have to thank Alistair's granddaughter. It was precisely because of her connection with the Azure Healer that I was granted this miraculous opportunity."

Alistair raised an eyebrow, the smug smile on his lips almost impossible to suppress.

This old man knew exactly how to play the game. By not naming Phoebe directly, he was attributing this massive favor to Alistair himself. This was not only a show of respect but a reminder for Alistair to treat his family's hero well.

However, Phoebe and Julian felt like they had been plunged into an icy abyss, unable to smile at all.

They knew better than anyone that the 'granddaughter' Gideon was talking about was Phoenix!

The moment Gideon said her actual name, their web of lies would be instantly shredded, and they would be utterly destroyed.

"Phoebe, you really brought immense glory to your grandfather this time," Alistair praised, his face glowing with pride.

Phoebe's mouth twitched stiffly as she forced a smile. "Grandfather, it... it was simply my duty."

Her only prayer right now was that Gideon would stop talking and under no circumstances dig any deeper.