Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 41

“Alright, alright! Phoenix! It's all in the past! What's the point of bringing this up now?” Vanessa’s face turned pale, a cold sweat breaking out on her skin. Knowing the severe consequences of the truth coming out, she hastily plastered on her most benevolent, gentle smile to smooth things over, desperately trying to extinguish the spark that was about to expose their ugly true colors.

“We’re family! Today is a joyous occasion to welcome you back! Let’s just wipe away all this unpleasantness like chalk on a blackboard! Let's not ruin the harmony! Warren was just acting out of momentary panic and confusion!”

As she spoke, she shot desperate, meaningful glances at Warren.

Phoenix gave Vanessa a deep, penetrating look, a gaze that seemed to slice right through her hypocritical skin.

The truth would definitely come to light eventually.

But right now wasn't the optimal time.

Phoenix suddenly smiled, the expression so light and breezy that it seemed as if the woman who had just delivered those death-knell words was someone else entirely.

She turned back around, facing the guests whose expressions were flickering with shock and whose eyes were swirling with endless speculation.

She stood tall and unwavering, like a resilient pine tree braving a blizzard.

“Ladies and gentlemen.”

Her voice was no longer violent, but it carried a settled, majestic power that demanded absolute attention.

“I, Phoenix Prescott, have indeed served time in prison.”

This incredibly candid declaration plunged the entire hall into an eerie silence once again.

“However, I will never deny this past! Nor do I need to hide it!”

“Because—” Her voice suddenly rose a pitch, carrying a soul-piercing strength, “It is the cross I have borne!”

“It is the purgatory of blood and fire I waded through!”

“It is the anvil where my bones were shattered countless times, only for me to piece them back together with my own hands, forging myself into an unparalleled blade!”

Her gaze swept across the room with a commanding, predatory aura that looked down on the world:

“What is the past?”

“It can be the abyss that sends me plummeting from the clouds to rock bottom!”

“But it can also become the staircase I use to step to the absolute pinnacle!!”

She suddenly opened her arms, as if embracing the brand new future that had just unlocked for her.

“Today’s banquet is not just the day I return to my rightful family, but also the starting point of my new beginning.”

“In the future of Cloudhaven, there will absolutely be a place for me, Phoenix Prescott!”

Roar!

A thunderous, fiercely surging wave of applause suddenly erupted, sweeping through the entire banquet hall!

This time, the applause was filled with genuine shock, heartfelt admiration, and even a faint trace of awe.

He took a few quick steps forward and heavily, firmly patted Phoenix on the shoulder.

“Child... it’s been so hard on you! You’ve... suffered so much!”

A thousand words were distilled into this profound sigh of emotion.

That single word, 'child', came from the bottom of his heart more than at any other moment.

Alistair's eyes welled up with faint tears. “The past was a purgatory, but it was also a whetstone! Good steel must be tempered this way! You... are truly worthy of being Alistair Prescott's granddaughter! Grandpa is... so proud of you!”

Phoenix withdrew her razor-sharp edge from moments ago, revealing an obedient yet powerful smile to the old man. “Grandpa, I’m home. As your granddaughter, I naturally couldn't bring shame to the Prescott family.”

“Good! Good! Well said!” Alistair nodded repeatedly, his heart utterly invigorated. With a grand wave of his hand, he declared, “To celebrate your return home! And to compensate for the grievances you’ve suffered! Grandpa makes a solemn promise right here and now—no matter what wish you ask for! As long as Grandpa can do it! I will never go back on my word!”

His loud, booming voice echoed, announcing it to the entire hall.

This was him taking a stance on behalf of the entire Prescott family!

Phoenix raised a delicate eyebrow; this was exactly the sentence she had been waiting for.

Her gaze, like a cold, surgical scalpel, cut through the air and accurately locked onto Warren, Vanessa, and Julian, whose face was written with dark, fearful dread.

Her red lips parted, and her voice echoed crystal clear in the instantly quieted hall. “My wish is very simple.”

She paused after every word, each syllable carrying the weight of a boulder. “I want to—enter the Prescott Group!”