Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 33

"Pierce." The aged voice pulled his thoughts back.

"Arthur." Arthur put down his teacup, his clouded old eyes shooting out a sharp gleam that saw through everything. "Still obsessing over that old fox?"

His tone was casual. "Silas has mediocre skills in everything else, but he has spent the last two decades mastering the art of forming factions and playing with people's hearts. If your father hadn't thrown away his pride to force you into your current position despite the opposition, I am afraid..."

The unspoken words carried heavy implications.

"My father?!" Pierce grabbed the teacup in front of him and downed the boiling liquid without feeling a thing, as if trying to extinguish the flames of hatred churning in his chest. "He is nothing but a coward!"

"Pierce!" Arthur's voice rose sharply, laced with unquestionable authority. "That car crash was an accident! Drowning in past grievances benefits no one! The helm of the Sterling family's future is in your hands! You can only sail far if you let go of the past!"

Pierce remained silent, the veins bulging on his clenched fists betraying a violent urge he had nowhere to vent.

Knowing his stubbornness, Arthur didn't push the issue.

"I heard," he casually set the teacup down, "the Prescott family sent word yesterday. You set your sights on Phoenix Prescott, the one fresh out of a prison cell?"

"Yes." Pierce's face was expressionless.

"The Prescott family has quite the nerve, actually suggesting you swap her for their adopted daughter, Phoebe." Arthur wiped a water droplet off the saucer, his tone carrying a subtle contempt. "Ultimately, it is a tragedy for the Prescott household. Letting their own blood languish in prison without offering a helping hand or a shred of pity is one thing, but treating a spoiled imposter like a treasure... Hah, utterly foolish."

He looked up, his gaze burning like a torch straight at Pierce. "Since you have chosen the girl, I won't interfere. I am just curious..."

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with scrutiny. "To make you, a man who has treated women like dirt and despised blind dates for years, not only agree to a marriage alliance but personally walk into the Prescott estate..."

His weather-beaten eyes were sharp as knives. "Just what kind of person is she?"

He looked like he had been struck by lightning. He jerked his head up, his old eyes filled with unbelievable shock. For the first time, he lost his composure and cried out, "You bastard! What... what kind of spell are you under?!"

In the past, he had exhausted every resource, piling portraits of Cloudhaven's elite socialites on Pierce's desk, only for him to not even bat an eye!

And now! Without a single word! He actually got married to a woman with an unknown background who just walked out of prison?!

The shock washed over him like a tsunami. In an instant, it was replaced by an unprecedented, overwhelming curiosity that nearly drowned his logic!

"Hahaha!" Arthur suddenly let out a string of short, meaningful laughs. His gleaming eyes stared dead at the marriage certificate, as if trying to pierce through the cover to see the fiercely bold girl. "Good! How entirely unexpected! Pierce... you have truly given me a massive surprise!"

He shot up from his chair, staring so hard at the marriage certificate he might have burned a hole through it.

"No! I have to see this for myself tonight!" His voice carried an irresistible urgency, his eyes burning hot. "I want to see exactly what kind of person managed to conquer my grandson!"