Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 146

"I'll find a way to make sure the old man never speaks again." Marcus's eyes were full of murderous intent, his voice as cold and venomous as a snake. "Only when the truth is buried forever will I have a chance to turn this around."

"Alright, I'll help you." Mavis took a deep breath before shifting the topic. "But, Marcus, since we're in the same boat now, shouldn't you come clean with me? What exactly happened back then?"

Marcus shot her a sideways glance, his eyes full of suspicion and caution. "Why do you need to know so much? Just help me avoid the manhunt; that's enough."

"Marcus, we share the same blood." Mavis turned to look him straight in the eyes, her gaze sincere and earnest. "No matter what you've done, you're still the brother I respect the most. But I can only help you if I know the whole story."

Seeing Marcus remain silent, her expression dimmed, and she offered a bitter smile. "Or do you not see me as a sister at all, just a tool for your escape? If that's the case... I won't ask."

"Mavis, I'm sorry." The wariness in Marcus's eyes finally faded, and his tone softened. "I just panicked. I'm a bit on edge. Don't worry, you're the person I care about most in this family."

Mavis smiled again. "Thank you for trusting me, Marcus. I will definitely find a way to help you through this crisis."

Marcus nodded, gathering his thoughts before speaking in a heavy tone. "Back then, Grandfather was severely ill. To fulfill my duties, I volunteered to move in and take care of his daily meals and living arrangements."

"I handled everything personally, even brewing his medicinal soups myself, just to earn a word of approval from him." His voice grew heavy with intense resentment. "But no matter how much I did, it couldn't compare to a single fake greeting from that useless Meredith."

"She was clearly timid and incompetent, too scared to even speak loudly to people, so why did she get his favor? If it were just doting, it would be one thing, but... he actually wrote a will naming Meredith as the future heir to the family!"

"What?!"

Mavis's pupils shrank, her face entirely consumed by shock. "Has he gone senile? Handing the family over to Meredith?!"

Although Thaddeus held power now, the authority to designate the heir was still in the patriarch's hands. This was a measure to balance the current head and prevent a dictatorship. But she never imagined the old man would choose the most unremarkable person, Meredith.

"Exactly! Why should a useless piece of trash like her become the head of the family?" Marcus sneered endlessly. "Since begging didn't work, I decided to fight for it myself."

"After that, I became even more obedient. I made sure all the elders praised my devotion, leading them to believe that the position of heir belonged to no one else but me."

"Yes! Right now, you're the only one I trust!" Marcus answered without a second thought.

"Then transfer all the assets under your name to me."

These words struck like a thunderbolt, freezing Marcus in place. He stared blankly at his sister.

"Marcus, it sounds crazy, but we have to tear everything down to build it back up," Mavis spoke evenly, patiently guiding him. "Only when you surrender everything and become completely destitute will Dad see the true resolve and sincerity of your 'repentance.' This is your only way out."

She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Once Dad is swayed, we can use the momentum to pin the blame for poisoning Grandfather squarely on Meredith. What do you think... the outcome will be?"

Marcus's previously dim eyes instantly brightened, and he trembled with excitement. "Yes... if we do that, their fury will burn Meredith alive, and as long as I show true remorse, I'll still be the eldest son of the family!"

"Exactly! Before word reaches the clan elders, this is our only chance to reverse the situation." Mavis narrowed her eyes, staring hotly at Marcus like a predator waiting for its prey to fall into the trap. "But, Marcus, we have to act fast."