Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 433

"Duncan, I haven't seen a welcome banquet of this magnitude in years." Mr. Langley approached with a glass of champagne in hand, his smile masking a probing curiosity. "I have to admit, I'm intensely curious about this 'VIP' the St. Claires are welcoming."

He intentionally lowered his voice. "Just what kind of untouchable titan warrants such an extravagant display from your family?"

Duncan's lips curled into a mysterious, calculated smile. "Mr. Langley, there's no need to rush. Once the guest of honor arrives, you'll see for yourself."

"Duncan, your family has been lying low for years. Throwing an event this massive out of nowhere has certainly left everyone on edge." Langley stared at him intensely, tossing out the bait. "You wouldn't happen to be using tonight to officially announce your ascension as the head of the St. Claire family, would you?"

"Haha, you must be joking, Mr. Langley." Duncan tipped his head back and laughed heartily, yet his eyes remained impenetrable. "Although my sister is temporarily away from Highcrest, the seat of the family head will always remain open for her."

This high-sounding yet remarkably ambiguous answer did nothing to dispel the crowd's suspicions. If anything, it only made the undercurrents of tension surge more violently.

Several prominent patriarchs eavesdropping nearby all frowned in unison.

They covertly studied Duncan's beaming face, trying to catch the scent of the impending bloodbath that was destined to alter Highcrest's power dynamics behind this glittering façade.

Just then, Lorraine gracefully walked over.

She wore a breathtaking, custom-made pure white evening gown. The crushed diamonds lining her collar and hem caught the harsh glare of the lights, seemingly desperate to drag every ounce of the room's attention directly onto her.

Jade was right by her side.

Jade had opted for a vibrant, flirtatious dress, but the intricate, hand-stitched dark patterns on the skirt exuded a quiet luxury that anyone with a trained eye knew cost a staggering fortune.

"Husband, is everything arranged?" Lorraine leaned close to Duncan, dropping her voice to a whisper. "We absolutely cannot let those two country bumpkins steal the spotlight tonight."

"Don't worry, everything is perfectly under control," Duncan sneered, a cold, confident smirk playing on his lips. "It's still up in the air whether they'll even make it through these doors tonight. If they get too scared to show up, that's even better. This welcome banquet... will naturally evolve into my coronation."

Jade's eyes sparkled at those words, her excitement barely contained. "Dad, does that mean I'll officially become the undisputed heiress of the St. Claire family?"

The true heiress to the family was supposed to be Yara.

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