Forbidden Passion

The air fell into an awkward silence, and Vanessa's hand was still suspended in mid-air. As everyone looked over, she immediately retracted her hand. The gazes of the crowd passed Vanessa and landed on Phoebe. Someone said, "It's for Miss Ziegler. I think it's meant for Vanessa."

That person deliberately belittled Vanessa. Since Vanessa usually didn't assert herself but still enjoyed all the resources. Naturally, some people felt uncomfortable seeing Vanessa and wanted to embarrass her. Vanessa's hand hanging by her side clenched into a fist. She turned to walk towards the studio, catching a glimpse of Phoebe. A bunch of red roses made Phoebe look even more charming than the flowers. Vanessa suppressed the jealousy surging in her heart and walked into the studio in anger.

Phoebe signed her name on the list, and the delivery person left. A group of people gathered around, asking Phoebe who sent the flowers.

"Miss Ziegler, there's a card on the flowers. Quickly open it and see if it's from Mr. Reynolds."

Normally, they wouldn't gossip like this, but to make Vanessa angry, they had no choice.

After all, everyone had heard rumors that Phoebe was Theodore's lover. Coincidentally, Vanessa was Theodore's first love. Even QUEEN Entertainment was founded for Vanessa.

If these flowers were from Theodore, it would be very embarrassing for Vanessa.

"Let's all pack up and get ready to leave work." Phoebe had no intention of satisfying their curiosity. Regardless of who sent the flowers, she didn't plan to open the card in public. The crowd was extremely disappointed.

Phoebe walked into the elevator with the flowers. Inside the elevator, she was alone. She took out the card inserted in the bouquet and opened it.

The card read, "The flowers are beautiful. Let them decorate your dreams."

There was no signature, but Phoebe knew who sent the flowers. This sentence was from a famous poem, "The moon decorates your window, you decorate someone else's dreams." It was a poem that Edward really liked, and he used it to confess his feelings to Phoebe.

Phoebe put the card in her bag, looking at the gorgeous red roses. She felt a bit disappointed, thinking the flowers were from Theodore.

Even if they were from Theodore, she wouldn't forgive him.

In the studio, the other participants packed up and left, leaving Vanessa sitting on the ground in her tight dance outfit.

Ruby walked over, sat down beside Vanessa, and placed her hand on Vanessa's back. "It's just a bunch of flowers, nothing to worry about."

Vanessa's eyelashes trembled. "It's not about the flowers."

Ever since the day Vanessa was hit by Phoebe downstairs, Theodore hadn't even asked about the injury on her face. She knew then that everything had changed.

Theodore wouldn't be as indulgent towards her as he used to be when she first returned to the country, always unconditionally on her side.

Ruby glanced outside and whispered, "Who can succeed in the end, is still unknown. You can't lose courage and confidence prematurely."

"I've been attending classes diligently recently, but Theodore still won't spare me a glance. What's the point of my persistence?" Vanessa said in frustration.

Ruby fell silent.

In fact, Ruby was already lacking the ambition to develop her career, but she didn't expect Vanessa to be lovesick. Ruby had been tired from advising her these days but couldn't just ignore Vanessa. "Let's persist a little longer. Think about it, Theodore invested five billion dollars in letting you play Mr. Black in the movie. I hear he is even attacked by shareholders at the shareholders' meeting," Ruby said.

"I've been working hard," Vanessa replied.

"I know, but even if it's a movie by a top director, we can't just sit back and relax. The more you can bring out the charm of this role, the greater the dividends you'll reap. So, you must continue to attend Clark's classes diligently. When we hit it big, you'll shine brightly, and Theodore won't be able to resist you," Ruby encouraged.

Vanessa pondered Ruby's words and nodded. "You're right."

"Yes, think about it. Why does Theodore rely on Phoebe? It's because she can develop her career well and help him manage a company, right? We must not lose to Phoebe," Ruby said.

Vanessa's heart, filled with disappointment, was dispelled by Ruby's encouragement. A fiery determination ignited in Vanessa's eyes. "Yes, I can do what Phoebe can do. I will definitely not lose to her."

When Vanessa dazzled the world and the box office soared, she would confess her feelings to Theodore in front of the whole nation.

Seeing Vanessa shake off her previous despondency and reignite her determination, Ruby relaxed a bit and said, "Let's go. Let's go back."

Vanessa stood up, steadied herself on the ground, changed her clothes in the dressing room, and as she walked out of the company, she saw the elevator doors open, revealing Theodore inside. Vanessa's eyes lit up, and she couldn't contain her excitement. "Hi, Theodore. Are you here to see me?"

Theodore stood lazily in the elevator with one hand in his pocket, his tailored trousers outlining his long, straight legs. He wore a black shirt and suit, making him look even more fair and handsome, with sharp, forbidding eyebrows exuding an aura of "do not approach", appearing cold and handsome.

He glanced at Vanessa, asking, "Is it time to leave work?"

Vanessa's heart uncontrollably raced every time she saw Theodore, reminiscent of the feelings of first love.

"Yes," she replied.

Theodore furrowed his brows. "Where's Phoebe?"

When Vanessa heard Theodore ask about Phoebe, she thought of the roses that had embarrassed her just now. Suddenly, she said, "Miss Ziegler received a bouquet of roses and left just now. She probably has a date tonight." "Roses?" Theodore's expression darkened.

Vanessa felt relieved. It turned out the flowers weren't from Theodore. Trying to provoke him intentionally, she said, "Yeah, everyone in the company sees it. Aren't they from you?"

Theodore pressed down the anger in his heart and said, "No."

Vanessa's smile grew brighter upon realizing the flowers weren't from Theodore. She said with a smile, "It's okay even if they aren't from you. It's just a bunch of flowers. Miss Ziegler is really popular." Theodore casually glanced at Vanessa. "Aren't you coming in?"

Delighted, Vanessa walked into the elevator, signaling Ruby discreetly. Ruby understood.

She immediately clutched her stomach. "I suddenly have a stomach ache. Vanessa, go ahead."

Pretending to be concerned, Vanessa asked, "Why the sudden stomach ache? Do you want me to stay and wait for you, or should we go to the hospital for a check-up later?"

"No need, it's probably because I eat expired food at lunch. Theodore, could you please take Vanessa home?" After that, Ruby clutched her stomach and rushed back.

Watching Ruby's figure disappear inside the company doors, Vanessa looked up at Theodore and said, "Let's go downstairs."

Theodore glanced over, paused briefly, then retracted his gaze. He reached for the floor button, and Vanessa reached out her hand too.

Their fingertips instantly overlapped on the elevator button.