Forbidden Passion

The two exchanged a quick glance and then looked away. Theodore cleared his throat and drove out of the parking lot.

It was blazing at noon, lighting up the asphalt.

Madison sat in the back, chatting on WhatsApp.

Madison: [Vanessa, it looks like Theodore and Phoebe are back together. How shameless is she? Theodore clearly doesn't like her, but she still clings to him. So cheap!] Vanessa lay in the hospital, her leg still in a cast, making it hard to move.

She was so bored these past few days that she felt like she was going moldy. Seeing Madison's message made her feel even worse.

Vanessa replied: [They're married. It's hard to break them up. Besides, I never wanted to break them up. I like Theodore.]

Seeing Vanessa's self-sacrificing words, Madison felt even more sympathy for her.

Madison: [Vanessa, don't worry. I'm here. I won't let them get back together.]

Vanessa sent several crying emojis, and the more Madison looked at them, the more she pitied Vanessa.

Madison put her phone away, leaned forward, and said, "Theodore, I'm going to play some music."

Theodore replied, "Okay."

Madison turned on the car's computer and played an instrumental piece. It was the song Vanessa had played at a piano competition, which had made her famous. The music flowed quietly in the car, and Madison swayed her head in enjoyment. "Theodore, Vanessa is amazing. It would be great if she could hold a piano concert."

Phoebe leaned back, eyes fixed ahead. She knew Madison didn't want to join them for lunch. She was just there to annoy her.

Phoebe remarked, "True, Miss Fitzroy's leg is injured, so she can't perform or take on endorsements. However, she can still play the piano. Should I organize something?" Madison frowned, sensing a trap. "Phoebe, are you really that kind?"

"She's the top artist at Queen Entertainment. She can't just take money without doing anything. I remember there's a Thanksgiving charity event at the orphanage next week, and they need a pianist. Let's get Miss Fitzroy to practice first," Phoebe said.

Madison knew about the Thanksgiving charity event. It was just playing with kids, and no media would be there.

Was Phoebe trying to humiliate Vanessa?

"Phoebe, Vanessa is an internationally recognized piano queen. Making her play for a bunch of orphans is too much," Madison said indignantly. "Music without boundaries," Theodore said calmly.

Madison scoffed. "If so, Phoebe can play the piano too. Why don't you let her go? Vanessa is still injured."

Phoebe glanced at the rearview mirror and said, "I was originally scheduled to go, but if Miss Fitzroy is interested, I can step aside."

Before Madison could start mocking, Theodore spoke up, "Why didn't I know you were going to play at the Thanksgiving charity event?"

"It was decided this morning," Phoebe replied.

"Which day next week? I want to go," Theodore said. He had missed Phoebe's last piano performance, and although he had listened to the recording later, he still regretted not being there in person.

Phoebe replied, "Thanksgiving Thursday."

"Alright, I'll remember that," Theodore said.

Madison glared at the back of Phoebe's head, thinking, 'How did Theodore end up marrying such a schemer?'

Near the market, there was a spot known for its all-natural, lake-raised fish.

The restaurant looked old but was packed. When they arrived, a table had just opened up, and Theodore led Phoebe and Madison to sit down.

After the owner rattled off a long list of dishes, Theodore ordered.

While waiting for the food, Phoebe went to the restroom. When she came out, she ran into Madison, who snorted and brushed past her, bumping her shoulder.

Phoebe washed her hands and went back out. Theodore had already sterilized the utensils for her. It was rare for them to eat in such a place, and Phoebe found Theodore to be more genuine here.

Theodore rested his chin on his hand. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I didn't expect you to bring me here for fish," Phoebe said.

Theodore held a teacup with his long fingers, not drinking but just playing with it. "This place is supposedly famous, open for over a decade. Food critics from the neighboring city drive hours to try it. We're so close, we had to give it a shot." Phoebe looked around. The restaurant's owners were a middle-aged couple who seemed quite loving. The other diners were mostly dressed casually, unlike Theodore, who wore a million-dollar watch and a custom-made suit and looked out of place.

Before marrying Theodore, this was her social circle. Now, Theodore seemed to have stepped down from his pedestal.

"Can you get used to this?" Phoebe asked.

Theodore said, "How would I know if I don't try?"

Phoebe lowered her eyes. She didn't know if Theodore had chosen this place to apologize for what happened a few days ago or if he genuinely wanted to accommodate her.

Soon, the waiter brought the dishes, and Madison returned from the restroom. She sat down and frowned at the table full of fish.

Madison naturally couldn't get used to the food in such a small restaurant. She said, "What is this? It looks disgusting."

Theodore looked at Madison warningly. "Don't eat it if you don't want to."

"Theodore, this place is unsanitary. I just went to the restroom, and it was dirty and smelly. Let's go to a high-end restaurant instead. What if we get food poisoning?" Madison said with disdain.

The waiter couldn't help but glance at Madison. Seeing her wearing a Chanel jacket, carrying a Chanel bag, and wearing a Cartier diamond fan, the waiter retorted, "Our fish are cleaned thoroughly, and we use the best ingredients. You can't slander our fish like that."

Madison raised an eyebrow. She looked at the waiter, who seemed familiar as if she had seen her somewhere before.

She said disdainfully, "Who knows? Do you know who you're talking to? He's the CEO of the Reynolds Group. If you ruin his stomach, can you afford to pay for it?"

"Madison!" Theodore looked at Madison warningly, then turned to the waiter, whose face was red with anger. Seeing her face clearly, he was momentarily stunned. "Sorry, she speaks without thinking. Don't take it seriously." Phoebe followed his gaze and noticed that the waiter standing next to Theodore bore a striking resemblance to him.

She suddenly thought of Bishop.