Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 187

Phoenix shot Pierce a glance, feeling somewhat speechless. The man had claimed he was just here for the show, yet he was firing on all cylinders to back her up.

Was this protective stance his way of making her owe him a favor, just so he could use it against her later?

"I was aware that Phoenix and Pierce got their legal papers," Alistair suddenly spoke up, his tone calm.

"Alistair, something this huge, why didn't you tell me?" Warren was shocked and uncertain.

"Hmph, if you actually cared about Phoenix, would you be in the dark?" Alistair's single sentence shut Warren down completely.

In an instant, the way Warren and Vanessa looked at Phoenix changed entirely.

An engagement could be broken, but a legal marriage was harder to sever. Pierce's fierce protection completely shattered their suspicions of a fake marriage.

Off to the side, Dominic Vaughan narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at Phoenix.

This true heiress who had returned out of nowhere was much harder to handle than anticipated. Backed by her status as Mrs. Sterling, that old fox Alistair would never tear his face off with her for the sake of a few useless pawns. After all, offending Phoenix over some dead weight was just bad business.

"Phoenix, you've been through a lot." Alistair's tense, weathered face instantly smoothed out. "Since Pierce is here, stay the night at the house."

"Just what I had in mind." Before Phoenix could refuse, Pierce accepted without missing a beat.

Phoenix couldn't help but roll her eyes, silently cursing him. What exactly was Pierce planning? Watching the show was one thing, but why agree to sleep over?

"Julian, Phoebe." Alistair pivoted sharply, his piercing gaze sweeping over the two kneeling figures. "Do you realize your mistakes?"

"Grandfather, I know I was wrong," Julian said through gritted teeth, his face full of humiliation. "I acted foolishly and did something stupid. I will never do it again."

Phoebe was a tearful mess, playing the pitiful victim card to the absolute limit. "Grandfather, I just got too worked up. I was terrified that Mom and Dad wouldn't love me anymore after Phoenix returned, so I did something foolish... I will learn from Phoenix from now on and never repeat my mistakes."

Alistair nodded. Just as he was about to speak and brush the matter under the rug, Phoenix stood up.

Everyone's eyes involuntarily followed her.

Phoenix walked step by step toward Phoebe, looking down from her commanding height at the woman pretending to be weak.

Did the old man want to sweep this under the rug? She absolutely wouldn't allow it.

Feeling the cold shadow cast over her, Phoebe trembled and instinctively looked up, her gaze colliding with Phoenix's glacial eyes.

Without warning, Phoenix raised her hand—

*Smack.*

A sharp, vicious slap rang out through the hall.

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