Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 145

"Merry, until everything is completely clear, your attitude is correct." Phoenix gently patted Meredith's back, her movements tender yet strong. "You're kind, but that doesn't mean you're weak. You have the right to hold your ground."

"Keep that word 'Grandfather' in your heart for now. When the truth comes out, you can decide for yourself if he's worth acknowledging as family."

Phoenix's comforting words were like a gentle breeze, soothing Meredith's turbulent emotions.

"Thank you, Phoenix. If it weren't for you these past few years, I wouldn't have known how to survive."

"Merry, don't worry, your grandfather will regain his memory soon enough." Cyan leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets, a faint smile on his lips. "But even if he can't remember, I can pretty much guess—the misunderstanding between you two was definitely orchestrated by Marcus."

At the mention of that name, Meredith frowned. "I still don't understand how Marcus could be so ruthless. Not only poisoning our grandfather, but using a kidney transplant as an excuse to let me die on the operating table."

"It's simple." Phoenix narrowed her eyes, a cold glint flashing in them. "Because there was a relationship between you and your grandfather that threatened his position. For instance... maybe the old man planned to make you the heir to the Miller family."

"What?!" Meredith's eyes widened in shock. "Phoenix, you can't just say things like that. How could I possibly be the heir?"

"Is it that strange?" Phoenix shrugged, her tone calm but certain. "He used to dote on you the most, but after you went to prison, he never showed up once. That only proves one thing—"

"Someone interfered, deliberately creating a rift to turn you two against each other. And who else could that be but the one who stood to gain the most, Marcus? Of course, to fully untangle this mess, we'll have to wait until your grandfather gets his memory back."

"Phoenix, do you feel like... since we walked into that room, something's been missing?" Cyan rubbed his chin and suddenly spoke up.

Phoenix paused, looking at him in confusion. "Cyan, aren't you being too paranoid?"

Cyan shook his head. After a moment of thought, his eyes lit up. "It's Mavis! Since we went into the ward, Mavis never followed us inside. Could that woman... have realized something?"

His words were a wake-up call.

Earlier in the ward, they had been so focused on exposing the fake doctor and treating the patient that they completely forgot about Mavis, who had initially tried to stop Milo from entering.

"Merry, call Milo right now! Tell him to check on Marcus immediately!" Phoenix ordered sharply.

"Marcus, hatred is the most useless emotion right now," Mavis turned her head, looking at his reflection in the window, her tone helpless. "I took a huge risk getting you out. If we get exposed, I'm going down with you."

Marcus curled his lips into a savage, slightly crazed grin. "Mavis, don't be afraid. If it comes to that, you can just say I took you hostage and you managed to escape in the chaos."

Mavis frowned, looking deeply worried. "Marcus, does it really have to come to this? Maybe if you go back and confess, Dad might still consider your bond as father and son..."

"Shut up!" Marcus roared, cutting her off. "Thaddeus is a hypocrite! Did you forget how he treated his own biological daughter, Meredith?"

He panted heavily, his chest heaving. "In his eyes, Meredith was a disgraceful failure, and he didn't even give her a chance to defend herself. Now that I've been caught red-handed, to protect the family's reputation and secure his position as patriarch, he'd throw me into prison without a second thought!"

"If you hadn't been waiting outside to help me, I really would've been doomed."

Mavis sighed softly, her gaze unreadable. "So what's your plan now?"