Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 484

Her consciousness struggled to the surface like driftwood in the deep sea, and Phoenix forced her heavy eyelids open.

Her throat felt as if she had swallowed coarse sand; the severe dehydration, accompanied by a tearing agony, made every breath hurt.

Pierce's hoarse voice reached her ears: "Phoenix, you're awake?"

Phoenix looked toward the sound, her vision slowly focusing on his face, which was etched with fatigue and bloodshot eyes.

She tugged at her cracked lips, managing a weak smile. "Pierce... why do you look so exhausted?"

As soon as she spoke, her voice sounded so raspy she barely recognized it herself.

"Don't speak. Drink some water first." Pierce carefully brought a glass of water to her lips.

The soothing liquid slipped down her throat, barely putting out the burning sensation. Only then did Phoenix feel somewhat alive again.

"After I passed out, what happened?" Her memory was still stuck in the hail of bullets, the moment Pierce had carried her out of the private garden.

The tightly wound tension in her mind had snapped the second they were safe, plunging her into endless darkness.

"I brought you back to the St. Claire estate and had the medic rush over to treat you," Pierce said, his tone still carrying lingering tension. "The medic said you exhausted your physical limits entirely, which put you into a deep coma. You were asleep for a full day and night."

"A day and night?" Phoenix furrowed her brows, her heart instantly shooting into her throat. "What is the situation outside right now?"

She astutely caught the flash of helplessness and severity in Pierce's eyes, urging him on. "Don't hide it from me. Tell me the truth."

Pierce spoke in a low voice. "Quentin launched a full-scale counterattack against us. Astraea Group took the brunt of it and suffered massive losses, and our other subsidiaries have taken devastating hits. As for the other factions in Cloudhaven... to protect themselves, they've all released statements cutting ties with us."

Phoenix let out an incredibly cold scoff. "What a bunch of spineless fair-weather friends."

She took a deep breath, regret and ruthlessness churning in her eyes. "I underestimated Quentin. His previous retreats were just him feigning weakness, waiting for us to think we had won before biting right into our throats!"

She clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms. "Not only did we lose so many people, but we also failed to save Nathan. This is all my fault..."

Before she could finish, strong arms pulled her firmly into a tight embrace.

The familiar, crisp scent enveloped her. Pressed against Pierce's solid, warm chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, the frantic anxiety boiling inside Phoenix miraculously began to settle.

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