Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 287

Vanessa watched the father and daughter plot, a deep sense of unease settling in her chest. Warren's blatant favoritism toward Phoebe was borderline unnatural.

He was actually willing to siphon the Prescott family's resources just to prop Phoebe up and hand her control of the Lowery family. If no one knew the truth, they would absolutely assume Phoebe was his biological daughter.

"Dad, I absolutely forbid this!"

Suddenly, Julian stormed into the room, his eyes fixed on Warren and Phoebe in a freezing glare.

"She is an adopted daughter! On what grounds does she deserve the Prescott family's resources?" Julian's voice was steady and resolute. "As long as I draw breath, I will never allow Phoebe to touch a single cent of our family's assets."

"Julian, what... what did you just say?!" Phoebe stared at him in sheer, unadulterated shock. "Did you just call me an adopted daughter?!"

The man standing before her felt like a total stranger. This was no longer the fiercely protective brother who had spoiled her unconditionally.

In the past, he had never once referred to her as adopted. He had only ever called her his one and only sister.

Warren stood up slowly, a layer of frost hardening in his eyes as he marched directly up to Julian.

Julian's pupils shrank slightly as he stared back, recognizing the violently suppressed rage and lethal intent burning in his father's gaze.

Suddenly!

Warren raised his hand and viciously backhanded Julian across the face.

The sheer force of the slap whipped Julian's head to the side, a thin trail of blood instantly leaking from the corner of his mouth.

"You treacherous bastard!! It seems you really have defected to Phoenix's side. You're actually conspiring with her against your own father!" Warren pointed a trembling finger directly at Julian's nose, spitting with fury. "Let me make one thing very clear: I am the patriarch of this family. I dictate what happens to our assets."

"By betraying me and siding with her, you are digging your own grave."

"Heh." A flash of agonizing sorrow crossed Julian's eyes. His voice was entirely hoarse as he fired back, "Dad, have you completely lost your mind over this fake daughter? She is a parasite. She is the one who ripped this family apart."

"You!"

Warren raised his hand again, delivering another savage slap across Julian's cheek.

This time, Julian didn't flinch. He locked his jaw and took the hit, his eyes burning with the unyielding resolve of a man ready to die for his convictions.

"Hit me!! Beat me to death!! If my dying wakes you up from this delusion, I'll accept it gladly."

"Dad, Julian, what are you doing?" Phoebe threw herself between them, her voice laced with frantic, manufactured panic. "There has to be a misunderstanding! Julian has just been under so much pressure lately. His mind is clouded, and he's saying things he doesn't mean."

"Shut your mouth, Phoebe." Julian glared at the highly manipulative woman, letting out a dark sneer. "I never realized how deeply fake you were before. But looking at you now... putting on this pathetic, victimized act makes me physically sick."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify