Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 443

"Oh, Barrett, you're here too." Phoenix's gaze flickered, a perfectly feigned look of pleasant surprise lighting up her radiant complexion. "I thought you'd be hiding out in Cloudhaven, perfectly content being a loyal lapdog for the Quincy family."

"I really never expected to see the day this lapdog would be dragged on a leash all the way to the Sovereign Circle."

The words sounded like a polite greeting between old friends, but to everyone listening, they were laced with razor-sharp, merciless mockery.

Barrett narrowed his eyes, his fists clenching tightly beneath his sleeves, though he forced a stiff smile onto his face. "Ms. Prescott, you must be joking. Today is your welcome banquet; we can save the catching up for later. I actually prepared a small gift for you, and I insist you accept it."

He clapped his hands twice. Two heavily built security personnel immediately stepped forward, hauling a massive, heavy wooden crate into the center of the room.

Phoenix raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over the crate as a playful tone entered her voice. "Barrett, such a massive gift... I'm afraid I haven't done anything to deserve it."

"No, you absolutely deserve it," Barrett sneered darkly, snapping his fingers.

The two men stepped forward and instantly ripped the lid off the crate.

The moment the contents were revealed, a collective gasp echoed through the entire hall once again.

Inside the enormous crate was a living human being—a naked man, huddled into a ball and shivering violently.

Phoenix's pupils instantly contracted.

She immediately recognized the pathetic, trembling figure as Ian Prescott!

She remained silent, simply raising her eyes to lock a dead stare onto Barrett.

This was a blatant provocation.

Even though she had long severed ties with the Prescott family, blood was still blood.

By displaying Ian like an animal in front of everyone, Barrett wasn't just humiliating Ian; he was spitting in Phoenix's face and trampling on the dignity of the Prescott name.

Not far away, Isabella Sinclair gently swirled the red wine in her glass, the crimson liquid reflecting the dark amusement in her eyes.

Clearly, she thoroughly approved of this 'grand gift' Barrett had delivered.

She watched Phoenix with immense interest.

How exactly was this woman, currently riding so high, going to handle this?

Would she snap and curse him out like a street-corner lunatic, or would she swallow her pride and accept the humiliation? It seemed that no matter what she chose, Phoenix was destined to become the laughingstock of the entire Sovereign Circle tonight.

Inside the box, Ian seemed to finally adjust to the blinding lights and sluggishly lifted his head.

The moment he recognized Phoenix standing in front of him, his body jolted. Broken, desperate whimpers tore from his throat, as if he had just spotted his final lifeline.

Phoenix coldly ignored his plea for help. Her long legs carried her forward in purposeful strides.

Almost simultaneously, Pierce Sterling sensed her killing intent. His eyes turned colder than ice as he stepped forward, closing the distance toward Barrett.

Barrett's expression froze as a sudden, uncontrollable surge of panic rose in his chest.

His two bodyguards immediately moved to intercept, but Pierce lunged forward like a predatory cat.

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