Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 31

The top-floor conference room of the Sterling Group.

The icy air solidified.

At the end of the long table, Pierce Sterling tapped his fingers erratically against the mahogany wood, his predatory gaze bottomless.

The executives sat with rigid spines, trying their best to keep their reporting voices steady, but the fine beads of sweat on their temples betrayed their terror—no one dared challenge The Reaper's iron will.

Buzz—buzz—

A harsh vibration tore through the dead silence.

Everyone jolted, their terrified gazes sweeping the room like sieves, searching for the fool who dared anger their boss.

Finally, all eyes froze on the emotionless face at the head of the table.

Pierce lowered his gaze. The name flashing on the screen was piercingly bright: Phoenix Prescott.

The sudden, rust-tinged kiss in the bloody private room last night crashed into his mind.

That fleeting, strangely soft touch on his lips was now exceptionally clear.

His fingers moved faster than his thoughts, swiping the screen open.

"Pierce," the woman's cold voice left no room for argument, as sharp as an unsheathed blade. "I sent you the address. Ten minutes. I will not wait."

Beep.

The call was ruthlessly disconnected.

The conference room was suffocatingly quiet.

Everyone's minds were buzzing. Who dared hang up on Mr. Sterling so abruptly? Was she suicidal, or did she actually have some serious backing?

A bone-chilling aura rapidly spread from the head seat, carrying the invisible scent of impending carnage.

"Meeting adjourned," he dropped the two words, his tone freezing.

Pierce stood up abruptly. His long, elegant fingers swiftly buttoned his suit jacket as he strode out of the conference room under the frozen, bewildered stares of the entire room.

His resolute silhouette left behind only the rippling aftermath of the disturbed icy air.

"Mr. Sterling terminated the quarterly meeting over a phone call?" someone muttered, their voice trembling.

She said it with absolute certainty, as if discussing the weather.

"A partnership requires sincerity, and this certificate is your ticket in. Pierce..." She met the frozen anger in his eyes, lifting her chin slightly, sparks dancing in her smile. "Or are you scared? Scared you will be tied to me and unable to escape?"

"A defenseless woman?" Pierce let out a short, cold scoff, suddenly taking a step closer. The suffocating pressure radiating from him was palpable.

The image of her kicking Crazy Tiger across the room last night, looking down on everyone with absolute dominance, was still fresh in his mind.

He pushed down his churning thoughts, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Phoenix, you are testing my limits. You might not be able to afford the price."

"I wouldn't dare." Phoenix's eyes were calm, but the smile on her lips held a touch of coldness. She raised her hand and slapped a document firmly against his chest. "Sign this, and your limits become my restricted zone."

It was a freshly printed prenuptial agreement.

Pierce quickly scanned the terms. Assets, rights, liabilities—all cleanly and ruthlessly severed, like a frigid contract.

"It is just a mutually beneficial transaction," Phoenix stepped back half a pace, her posture teasing. "Here is my sincerity. Pierce..."

Her gaze burned with sharp provocation. "Where is your courage?"