Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 84

"Mom, why did she even call the police?!"

Julian had just stepped out of his car, the glaring red lights of the police cruisers flashing across his face. His heart sank.

What kind of massive mess had Phoenix, that lunatic, caused this time to bring the cops here?

Without a second thought, he practically sprinted into the house.

"Julian, you're back just in time!" Vanessa grabbed his arm like a drowning woman clinging to a lifeline. She yanked him in front of the two officers, her voice shrill. "Tell them! Those jewelry pieces—you bought them as a gift for Phoebe, didn't you?!"

"What jewelry?!" Julian furrowed his brow, completely lost. "Mom, what are you talking about? I'm confused!"

"Julian, have you lost your mind from working too much?" Vanessa smacked his arm in frustration. "The jewelry you bought for Phoebe! Phoenix is claiming it's hers, and now she's called the cops to accuse Phoebe of grand theft!"

Julian's face drained of color, his stomach dropping. Oh no!

"Mom, I... I didn't buy Phoebe..." he blurted out, before instantly realizing his mistake and backpedaling. "No! Wait!! Those jewels... yes, I bought them!"

He understood now. If he denied it right this second, Phoebe's theft charge would be solidified.

"You hear that?!" Vanessa hadn't noticed the panic in her son's eyes. Feeling entirely vindicated, she turned to the police with ferocious confidence. "Officers, the situation couldn't be clearer! Those pieces were a gift from my son to his sister! This piece of trash made a false report and framed my daughter. I expect you to punish her to the fullest extent of the law!"

"Mom, Phoenix... she probably didn't mean it." Julian let out a hollow laugh, frantically looking at Phoenix to try and stabilize the situation.

Phoenix had remained silent the entire time, leaning casually against the doorframe. A cold, mocking smirk played on her lips, and her eyes were like ice-forged blades, flaying him from head to toe.

Her gaze made it seem as though she was watching a pathetic one-man show.

Julian's scalp prickled. He took a step forward to grab her arm, but Phoenix agilely stepped aside.

"Julian..." Her voice was low, laced with a playful chill. "Are you absolutely certain that every word you just said is the truth? Perjury comes with prison time, you know."

"Phoenix! Stop this nonsense!" Julian hissed, his eyes practically begging. "Whatever issues we have, we can resolve them privately! Why make a scene in front of the cops and turn us into a joke?!"

Phoenix scoffed, the sound like shattering ice. "A joke? Julian, your mother personally requested that the police deal with me—the one 'filing a false report and committing slander'—with the utmost severity, didn't she?"

"Julian! What nonsense are you spouting?! How can you not have a receipt for something worth millions?!" Vanessa's voice was so shrill it almost cracked.

"Julian..." Tears pooled in Phoebe's eyes. "Did... did you lose it? That must be it, right?"

"Heh, are you all done performing?" Phoenix took a step forward, making no effort to hide her contempt. "Julian never bought any of it in the first place, so where would he get a receipt?"

She calmly pulled a folded slip of paper from her bag and handed it to the officer. "However, I have the complete purchase receipt right here. Along with the bank statement from today. Crystal clear."

The two officers quickly took the documents and verified them carefully.

"The evidence is conclusive." The officer looked up, holding the receipt out for everyone to see. "All records prove that the legal owner of this jewelry is Ms. Phoenix Prescott."

Seeing the black-and-white proof, Vanessa's vision swam. She stumbled backward, catching herself on the back of the sofa. "No... impossible! How could it be hers?!"

She violently grabbed Julian, her nails digging into his skin. "Julian! What exactly is going on here?! Tell me!"

"How should I know?!" Julian irritably shook off his mother's hands. "I've been in meetings at the company all day! When would I have had the time to buy jewelry?!"