Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 161

As soon as she left the hospital ward, Meredith Miller dialed Phoenix's number.

"Merry, this is wonderful," Phoenix's voice came through the receiver, laced with a faint, imperceptible tenderness. "Even though you've suffered so much over these past three years, thankfully, the family bond you held onto in your heart wasn't misplaced."

"Phoenix, this is all thanks to you," Meredith choked up, her tone full of reliance and gratitude. "If you hadn't been by my side encouraging and protecting me, I never would have survived to see the day the truth came out. I probably... would have died in that desperate cage a long time ago."

"Phoenix, truly, thank you."

Phoenix held her phone, a warm current washing over her heart. Perhaps her own life script was already a mess, impossible to reverse, so she had pinned all her hopes for a better future on Meredith.

"Phoenix, Gideon said he's going to host a comeback banquet for me in a couple of days to officially announce my return to the Miller family."

Phoenix asked softly, "Are you ready?"

Meredith paused slightly. After a moment of silence, her tone grew resolute. "Phoenix, whether or not I return to this wealthy family doesn't really matter to me. What matters is that the things I want to protect are still here."

"Mhm, as long as you've thought it through," Phoenix's lips curled into a smile.

"Oh! Gideon also said he's going to publicly announce a deep partnership between the Miller family and the Prescotts, and he specifically stated it must be under your name," Meredith said, her excitement barely contained. "Hehe, Phoenix, you used to have my back, but now I can stand up for you too!"

Phoenix raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Merry, you've had my back for a long time. Your Lumina Jewelry is a dark horse in the industry now. It's very impressive."

"That's different! With the Miller family backing you, Alistair won't dare look down on you." Meredith scoffed proudly. "Even if the Prescott family is truly blind enough to cast you aside, my family can lift you up!"

"Okay."

After a pause, Phoenix suddenly added, "However, the theme of the comeback banquet might need to change a bit."

"Huh?" Meredith froze, not quite understanding.

"I want to use this banquet... to put on a good show, and let a few scumbags get the infamy they deserve."

Understanding Phoenix's intention, Meredith agreed without hesitation. "I don't completely get it, but whatever you want to do, I support you."

Phoenix hummed in agreement and hung up the phone.

She lifted her cool gaze. Through the gaps in the blinds, she caught sight of a commotion in the outer office area.

Phoebe was standing in the center of the crowd, soaking in the attention like a star surrounded by the moon.

—Though she wasn't the biological heiress, she was the most favored in the Prescott family. Beyond this so-called "etiquette," the real heiress was Phoebe.

"Everyone, this is the marketing department, not a tea party. Please don't disrupt our work."

Suddenly, a cold, hard female voice broke the hypocritical excitement.

A female employee stood up, staring directly at Phoebe with a resolute gaze.

Phoebe's initially radiant smile darkened instantly.

Before she could speak, a sycophant beside her immediately jumped out to defend her. "Phoebe is here on Julian's special orders to select elites from various departments for the new team. Are you trying to get fired by questioning her?"

"Exactly! No one else has a problem with it, just you—oh, are you trying to deliberately provoke Phoebe just to get her attention?"

The female employee's expression shifted, and she suppressed her anger. "I have no interest in the new team. I just want to do my job here in marketing. And... you people are severely disrupting the office order."

Speaking of this, she looked sharply at Phoebe. "Are you using your favored status to deliberately stir up trouble in other departments?"