Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 8

"Tsk tsk. Look at you being so generous, Dad." Phoenix smirked, then turned to Pierce. "Ninth, let's head inside and chat."

Seeing Phoenix drop the extortion, Warren let out a massive sigh of relief and eagerly led Pierce into the main living room.

The moment they sat down, Warren ordered Phoebe to prepare tea.

"Mr. Sterling, Phoebe's tea-making skills are absolutely exquisite. You must take your time and savor it," Warren boasted, deliberately elevating Phoebe's status. Vanessa chimed in with supportive praise, both of them working tirelessly to paint Phoebe as an elegant, cultured, and well-educated high-society lady in Pierce's eyes.

But Pierce remained aloof, his dark eyes looking as if they saw right through their desperate act.

"Mr. Sterling, Phoebe's tea skills truly are something else," Phoenix interjected with a meaningful tone.

Warren and Vanessa both shot her murderous glares, but since Pierce was sitting right there, they had to swallow their fury and force smiles.

"Mr. and Mrs. Prescott, my time is limited, so I will get straight to the point," Pierce stated coolly. "I came today for one simple reason: to honor the marriage agreement between our families and propose to the Prescott daughter."

Warren and Vanessa instantly beamed with joy.

"Mr. Sterling, our daughter has admired you for years. Your arrival today is a dream come true for her."

"Exactly! Our daughter is of perfect marrying age, and she's always sworn she would only ever marry you," Vanessa chimed in eagerly. She then turned and waved excitedly. "Phoebe, is the tea ready? Hurry and bring it over so Mr. Sterling can taste your craft."

Phoebe, her cheeks flushed scarlet with feigned shyness, carefully carried the tray over. "Mr. Sterling, please enjoy."

Before Pierce could even reach for it, Phoenix snatched the teacup from the tray and downed it in one gulp.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

The Prescott parents and Phoebe stared at Phoenix in absolute horror.

Phoenix let out a satisfied sigh and clicked her tongue. "Phoebe, your tea skills... seem to be lacking a little heat today."

"Did I not make myself clear? I want to speak with my fiancée. The only true daughter of the Prescott family, Phoenix," Pierce narrowed his eyes, his tone dark and menacing. "Also, Mr. Prescott, why have you been trying to force this servant on me since the moment I walked in? What is your agenda?"

Servant?!

Hearing that word, Phoebe felt her entire world collapse.

Worse, Pierce had known from the very beginning that Phoenix was the real heiress, yet he had sat there in silence.

Had he just been playing them for fools?!

Pierce looked at Phoenix, a wild, arrogant smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Fiancée, shall we step out for a private chat?"

Warren and Vanessa sat frozen like statues, completely dumbfounded. Every single scheme they had cooked up was instantly reduced to a humiliating joke.