Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 229

"It seems you've missed the entire point." Phoenix scooped a spoonful of cake into her mouth, the rich sweetness melting on her tongue.

"What point?" Cade was bewildered.

"You were just making a poor imitation. The Thorne family doesn't value Caspian for who he is; they value him because of the man standing beside him—Mr. Sterling," Phoenix pointed out sharply. "If you could connect with Mr. Sterling, or show you offer the same value, the spotlight would naturally hit you."

Cade froze in place, as if struck by lightning. It was such a simple truth, yet trapped in his own mess, he had never seen it.

"What you actually crave is attention. You're terrified that one day you'll be sacrificed as a pawn for an arranged marriage." Phoenix glanced at Lucinda in the distance. "You don't need to be so anxious. At the very least, your mother cares about you deeply, otherwise she wouldn't have put her pride on the line today to ask me to mentor you."

Cade's eyes reddened. The massive knot that had twisted inside him for years felt easily undone in that single moment.

He took a deep breath, his gaze becoming more determined than ever. "Thank you for waking me up. From now on, I am your most loyal buddy. I'll walk through fire for you!"

Phoenix curled her lips. Winning over a wealthy young master with just a few words was a very profitable trade.

"Ms. Prescott."

A slightly gloomy, arrogant voice suddenly interrupted.

Phoenix turned to see Barrett Lowery slowly pushing his wheelchair closer, his gaze carrying an uncomfortable level of aggression.

"Can I help you?"

Barrett smirked, his eyes trailing over her boldly. "Rumor had it that the Prescott family's true heiress was some country bumpkin, but seeing you today, you're quite formidable. In comparison, that Phoebe is the real bumpkin."

Phoenix raised the corner of her eye, her tone frosty. "Mr. Lowery, it seems highly inappropriate to evaluate your fiancée like that."

Barrett's eyes darkened instantly. "Let's not play games. You were the one secretly orchestrating the engagement between me and Phoebe, weren't you?"

Phoenix's expression shifted slightly, dropping her previous underestimation of him. This crippled heir was much sharper than the rumors suggested.

"You wanted to use my disability to humiliate Phoebe. You borrowed my knife to do your dirty work, didn't you?" Barrett traced the armrest of his wheelchair. "Our families had no previous ties. If someone wasn't pulling strings behind the scenes, who would buy this sudden union?"

Phoenix handed the rest of her cake to Cade and wiped her hands casually. "You are indeed smart, Mr. Lowery. However, this only benefits your family. You should be thanking me."

"Thank you? Sure." Barrett narrowed his eyes, leaning forward slightly. "But I want to change my marriage partner."

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