Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 93

Feeling the warmth of her palm and the faint, fresh scent clinging to her, Pierce subconsciously pressed his lips together.

"Ah!" Phoenix suddenly gasped.

"What?" Pierce glanced at her, confused.

"We can't visit him empty-handed!" Phoenix looked genuinely panicked. "No, I need to go buy some fruit or something to show some respect."

Pierce pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "This is our home, meaning it's your home, okay?"

Phoenix's eyes darted around, flashing an awkward but polite smile. "Oh, right. We're family. No need for all those formalities."

Pierce stared deeply into her eyes. "I prefer the wild, unfiltered version of you. Right now, you're being overly cautious."

Phoenix blinked, caught off guard.

His comment made her realize she really was acting out of character.

Normally, no matter who she faced, she was effortless and brazen. But now... she was actually feeling nervous?

Perhaps she had fully immersed herself in the role of "Pierce's wife," even... subconsciously beginning to enjoy the emotional connection that came with it.

It was something she had never experienced in Blackwood Penitentiary, nor in the cold, unfeeling Prescott family.

Phoenix let out a relieved laugh, her eyes curving into crescents. "What? I'm trying my best to play the perfect wife, and you're complaining?"

Pierce gave a tight, hollow smile. "Right. Just keep acting and don't let Arthur spot any flaws."

"You got it!" Phoenix grabbed his arm, her movements affectionate and entirely natural.

Pierce frowned, his arm twitching slightly in resistance, but he ultimately let her hold onto him.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang.

"Coming!" the energetic voice of the older man boomed from inside.

The door swung open, revealing Arthur's warm, smiling face.

"Hi, Arthur," Phoenix greeted with a bright, sweet smile.

"Phoenix, hello there." Arthur chuckled, pulling her inside.

Phoenix discreetly surveyed the apartment. The penthouse embraced a minimalist aesthetic with cool tones, devoid of any unnecessary clutter, exuding an untouchable, sterile vibe.

The only thing breaking the coldness was the dining area nearby, where a lavish spread of steaming, mouth-watering food was waiting.

"I hope you don't mind an old man dropping by uninvited and interrupting your evening," Arthur asked with a twinkle in his eye.

This woman was doing this on purpose.

Seeing the sly, fox-like grin on Phoenix's face, Pierce secretly ground his teeth.

"Tsk, look at you. Phoenix is so thin, she needs more meat." Arthur gave his grandson a look of absolute disgust before placing a piece of braised pork into Phoenix's bowl.

"Thank you."

Arthur looked at her with paternal affection. "You asked earlier why our two families had an arranged marriage, right?"

Phoenix nodded, all ears.

"The truth is, the Sterlings weren't always as powerful as we are today. At one point, we were on the brink of collapse. On the contrary, under your grandfather's leadership, the Prescott family was at its absolute peak, firmly holding the title of the number one family."

"Your grandfather and I were close friends. When the Sterlings were facing ruin, it was your grandfather who pulled us back from the edge. That's why the Sterling empire exists today."

"Later, to cement our bond, we arranged this marriage."

Phoenix was genuinely surprised. The Prescott family had been that glorious in her grandfather's hands? But now...

"Logically, that was just one generation ago. Why did the Prescott family decline so drastically?" she voiced her confusion.

Arthur took a sip of soup, pondering for a moment before sighing. "Honestly, it's not my place to speak on this. But since we're already on the topic, I suppose I can share a little."