Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 134

Marcus cursed inwardly, clenching his jaw. Now that his father had intervened, putting up any more forceful resistance would only raise suspicions.

The image of a dutiful son he had painstakingly maintained for years absolutely could not crumble now. But what if... this old man actually managed to wake him up? How would he clean up that mess?

"Marcus, take the healer inside," Thaddeus ordered in a deep voice.

Marcus snapped back to reality, concealing the gloom in his eyes, and bowed slightly. "Yes, Father." Since things had reached this point, he could only adapt as the situation developed.

Seeing this, Julian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they had finally bypassed the danger and snagged the opportunity to treat Gideon.

He locked eyes with Phoebe, exchanging a knowing glance, before proudly leading the Azure Healer into the inner room.

"Meredith." Thaddeus stopped in front of her, his gaze complex, as if he had thousands of words to say.

"Mr. Miller, is there something you need?" Meredith took a deep breath, meeting his gaze with a surprisingly calm tone.

She had expected that seeing her father again would leave her hands and feet freezing and her heart filled with dread, but right now... she felt completely indifferent. Although those hellish years were agonizing, they had utterly purged her weakness, allowing her to be reborn.

Hearing his daughter's distant tone, Thaddeus's pupils contracted slightly. Ultimately, his unsaid words dissolved into a long sigh.

"It's good that you're out. Come with me to see your grandfather."

With that, Thaddeus turned and walked inside.

Meredith watched his retreating back, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. She had been out for a year already. Playing the loving father now was just a little too late.

"Merry, are you okay?" Phoenix approached, her tone gentle.

Meredith shook her head, whispering with a sigh. "I'm fine. Maybe I've seen too many demons in that place, so seeing the real person now... I just don't feel the anxiety and panic I used to."

Phoenix chuckled softly, affectionately ruffling her hair. "That's because you've grown. You're no longer the Meredith who let people walk all over her."

"Exactly." Meredith looked up, her eyes curving into a smile that sparkled with life. "The old Meredith was completely helpless. But now, I have you backing me up. What do I have to be afraid of?"

"Yes, Father." Marcus lowered his head, concealing the hatred surging in his eyes.

"Marcus, why do I get the feeling you don't actually want him to wake up?" Phoenix spoke with a half-smile. "You keep insisting a transplant is the only way, but the surgery is highly risky. Once he's on the operating table... if there's an accident, dead men tell no tales."

She paused, her gaze as sharp as a knife. "Instead, you went out of your way to block the Azure Healer. Your intentions make it incredibly hard not to overthink things."

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" Marcus snapped, looking fierce but internally panicking as he glared at Phoenix. "Grandpa's condition has been evaluated by a top-tier medical team. As a Miller, why would I have malicious intent toward my own flesh and blood? But you, an ex-convict with a criminal record, what right do you have to spew garbage here?"

Upon hearing this, Cyrus and Meredith's eyes instantly turned frigid.

Julian and Phoebe, however, secretly rejoiced on the sidelines. The uglier this fight got, the better it was for them. As long as their healer cured the old man, they would become the Millers' great benefactors. Crushing Phoenix then would be as easy as stepping on an ant.

"Marcus, we'll see exactly who the dutiful grandchild is once Grandpa wakes up," Meredith said coldly. "True sincerity can't be faked."

"Meredith, after not seeing you for a few years, you've certainly developed quite the sharp tongue, even daring to lecture me." Marcus scoffed, glancing at the bed. "Fine. Then let's wait until he wakes up and see who is truly dutiful. After all, for the past few years, I am the one who has been tirelessly serving by his bedside."