Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 3

Before Pierce could respond, Phoenix continued, "Ninth, Arthur Sterling has been hounding you to get married lately, hasn't he?"

Completely unfazed by his intimidating aura, she walked straight over to a nearby lounge chair.-

"Arthur is the man you respect most. You might reject the idea of marriage to his face, but you're also worried that the stress of pushing you will take a toll on his health."

"And your point?"

Pierce frowned, scrutinizing Phoenix with a new layer of intrigue.

From the moment she arrived, this woman had been effortlessly composed, holding herself with the undeniable command of a queen who controlled the entire board.

"We can sign a marriage contract," Phoenix said smoothly, twirling her sunglasses in her hand. "First, it will pacify Arthur and get him off your back about settling down. Second, it will clear out all the desperate women trying to climb into your bed."

"Heh, you think I care about any of that?" Pierce scoffed, his demeanor growing even more frigid. "Ms. Prescott, you're not qualified to use me."

"I wouldn't expect the Reaper of Cloudhaven to become my husband in name only based on just that," Phoenix laughed freely, crossing her long legs as she glanced at Mr. Lucas, who was still trembling on the ground.

"Ninth, how about we make a bet?" Phoenix proposed.

Pierce considered it for a moment. "What's the wager?"

Phoenix stood up, casually selected a golf club from the nearby bag, and said, "The Legacy District Project was originally managed by Mr. Lucas, but he had sticky fingers and embezzled millions of dollars from the Sterling Group's construction funds."

"With Mr. Lucas out of the picture, you'll need a new partner to take over."

Pierce frowned. "You want The Legacy District Project?"

Phoenix was already standing in front of Mr. Lucas. Ignoring his terrified, pleading gaze, she positioned herself to swing. "If I hit a hole-in-one, the project goes to me?"

Pierce was momentarily stunned; he had assumed she would bet on him agreeing to the marriage, not this.

"Fine."

"I expected nothing less from Ninth. So straightforward."

With that, Phoenix's eyes locked onto the target, and she swung the club with brutal force.

Smack.

The swing was incredibly powerful, the club head slicing through the air inches from Mr. Lucas's face. He felt as if the sheer force of it had ripped his soul from his body.

"Ninth, take a look at this file first."

Then, she turned and started walking away, tossing a final remark over her shoulder. "I'll be waiting for you at the Prescott Estate."

Pierce was about to laugh and call her delusional, but the moment his eyes landed on the contents of the file, his pupils contracted, and his entire body went rigid.

How did she know about this?!

Who exactly was this Phoenix Prescott?!

"Ninth?"

Seeing Pierce frozen in place, Yancy cautiously called out to him.

"Get the car ready. We're going to the Prescott Estate."

"Mr. Sterling, is this for..."

"A marriage proposal."