Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 22

He extended a blood-stained hand, pointing directly at Phoenix and Macy. "Either you pay ten million dollars to settle this and leave the bitch in black here for us to play with, and you can take this Ms. Monroe away! Or, you all stay right the hell here!"

Ten million? And abandoning Phoenix!

Julian's pupils contracted sharply.

He had long heard of the notorious reputation of Vinnie 'The Tiger', and it was obvious that this situation had escalated way beyond his control.

He looked at the unconscious Macy. Her stunning beauty and the monstrous wealth she represented burned in his chest like a flame.

If he could get into the good graces of Ignis Global's leader, the CEO position of Prescott Group would practically be his! As for Phoenix, a convict long abandoned by their family... what the hell did she matter? She wasn't worth his effort.

His mind raced, weighing the pros and cons. Julian made his decision in an instant.

"Ten million. I'll pay it!" He turned back to Vinnie, his voice absolute. "I'm taking Ms. Monroe with me!"

"As for her..." He shot a sideways glance at Phoenix. That look and tone clearly indicated he considered her a piece of trash to be discarded at will.

"Whether she lives or dies is entirely up to you."

A flicker of malicious satisfaction flashed through Vinnie's bloodshot eyes. He rubbed his fingers together and demanded, "Quick and easy! Transfer the money. Now!"

"Mr. Julian." Phoenix carried an icy, mocking tone as her lazy footsteps crushed the broken glass on the floor, producing a sharp crunch. "Throwing away ten million without blinking for a strange woman, and tossing your own sister to the wolves?"

She stopped a short distance from Vinnie, her cold gaze piercing like ice-tipped needles. "Your complete lack of loyalty and your willingness to sell out your own family for a little glory... it is truly breathtaking to witness."

"Don't try to drag me down with you!" Julian barked back sharply, as if she had exposed his ugliest, darkest secrets. "This is your own fault! You refused to repent and caused this mess! Prison couldn't even break your wildness! Since no one at home can discipline you, let the real world teach you a lesson! You asked for this!"

"Haha! I didn't realize she was a rich girl!" Vinnie burst into grotesque, mocking laughter, clutching his stomach. "Too bad she's just a piece of trash that her parents don't want and her brother is throwing away to die!"

"That's fine. I'm not picky." He flashed a lewd smile at Phoenix, then roared at Julian, "Hurry up and transfer the money!"

That slap was too fast. Too ruthless. It carried a reckless, unbridled arrogance and contempt.

For the first time, he finally looked at this sister of his clearly and seriously.

It was the same face, but those eyes... there was no cowardice or evasion in them. There was only the icy depths of a freezing pool, a profound indifference that saw through everything, and a churning, blood-chilling violence.

He looked down at the gruesome scene around them again.

Unconscious thugs, shattered tables, pooling blood...

An absurd yet incredibly impactful thought struck his mind like a sledgehammer.

Could it be... that she had single-handedly taken down all these elite Obsidian Syndicate enforcers?!

Was this still the useless, pathetic girl from his memories who always bullied Phoebe, lied constantly, and only knew how to play innocent and pitiful?