Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 51

"Today is a momentous occasion. I came in a rush, so I didn't prepare anything extravagant," Dominic Vaughan said, handing over an exquisite, elongated wooden box. "I've used this pen for years. I'm passing it on to you, wishing you a bright future."

Phoenix Prescott accepted it and opened the lid.

A sleek, obsidian-black fountain pen rested silently on the velvet lining.

"A Durham Heritage Limited Edition?" Macy Monroe leaned in, her eyes widening in surprise. "Mr. Vaughan, this is hardly a minor gift."

Dominic’s smile remained flawless. "Worldly possessions. As long as Phoenix likes it, that's all that matters."

"Phoenix, thank Dominic," Alistair Prescott said, clearly pleased by the thoughtful gesture.

"Thank you, Dominic," Phoenix replied, the corners of her lips curling up. "I'll use it to sign many lucrative contracts for Prescott Group."

"Good, I like the ambition!" Dominic nodded, then turned to Alistair to excuse himself. "Alistair, I have pressing matters to attend to. I'll take my leave."

"Visit us when you have the time," Alistair replied.

"Of course."

Dominic’s gaze lingered on Phoenix for a fraction of a second before he turned and walked away.

Once he was out of earshot, Macy leaned in and whispered, "Phoenix, this Dominic Vaughan... his stance is completely ambiguous."

"He's just a smiling tiger," Phoenix said, her fingertips tracing the cool metal of the barrel. "This can be a weapon for writing, or a concealed blade for striking. It's a token of encouragement, but also a warning. Don't worry, though. At the end of the day, he's an outsider. His reach doesn't extend into the core of the Prescott family. At best, he's just providing a little backing for Vanessa and her son."

Seeing Phoenix's absolute clarity on the matter, Macy felt a wave of relief.

Anyone who dared go against her Phoenix would have to face the absolute wrath of Ignis Global!

When Ignis Global was first established, its core mission had always been to burn away all obstacles in her path!

A single spark to ignite the prairie—that was the very foundation of Ignis Global.

"Phoenix, come here," Alistair said, taking her hand and leading her toward two middle-aged men standing nearby. "This is your uncle, Ethan, and your uncle, Wesley."

"Ethan. Wesley," Phoenix greeted them politely.

Ethan Prescott had a kind face and offered a warm smile. "You look incredibly sharp. About your parents... sigh, that's on them. Don't let it dishearten you, kid. Taking care of yourself is what matters most."

"Thank you, Ethan," Phoenix replied. "I've come to realize that if affection has to be begged for, it isn't worth having. From now on, I'll work hard for the Prescott family, and for myself."

Ethan nodded in deep approval. "It's good that you have that kind of drive. If you ever need help with the corporate side of things, my door is always open."

Wesley Prescott chimed in with a chuckle. "Ethan, look at her. She's brilliant. I doubt she'll ever need us to hold her hand."

The Lucas Residence.

Nathaniel Lucas paced the living room like a caged beast, his eyes bloodshot as he roared, "What the hell is going on?! The Legacy District Project is gone! Shane is locked up! The banks are calling in all our loans! How did all of this detonate on the exact same day?!"

"Sir..." the butler said, his voice trembling. "The news was suppressed! Shane was actually detained a few days ago... This whole time, someone was quietly gathering every shred of evidence to nail us to the wall! They wanted a kill shot!"

"And all of this was orchestrated by the Sterling family... by Pierce Sterling!"

Who else possessed the sheer power and precision to obliterate them so cleanly other than Pierce Sterling?

"But why?! Why would he put a hit out on us out of nowhere?! And why today of all days?!" Nathaniel collapsed onto the sofa, looking as though he had aged twenty years in a matter of seconds. His eyes were hollow pools of dread and despair.

"We found out... we found out that Shane secretly embezzled millions from The Legacy District Project..." the butler stammered.

"That idiot!!" Nathaniel sprang up in a blind rage, grabbed a heavy crystal ashtray, and hurled it violently across the room. "That was Pierce Sterling's money!! That belongs to the Reaper of Cloudhaven!! Is he out of his fucking mind?!"

After the explosive outburst came a suffocating wave of powerlessness. He deeply regretted letting his incompetent brother manage the project.

"Wait, no!" His head snapped up, his bloodshot eyes locking onto Cassandra, who was cowering on the floor. "If Pierce wanted to crush us, he could have done it anytime. Why tonight?! Why did he pull the trigger the second Phoenix Prescott's banquet ended?!"

A horrifying realization seized him by the throat: "It's because of her! He did this to avenge her!"