Forbidden Passion

The convoy got back to Kedora. As soon as the bus left the highway, Jack picked up Theodore and Phoebe at the intersection.

In the black Bentley, Lawton sat in the front, updating Theodore on the company's status over the past few days. After finishing, he glanced at Phoebe.

Theodore noticed and frowned. "Anything else?"

Lawton hesitated, then Theodore's phone rang from the armrest between the seats.

Phoebe, catching a glimpse of the caller ID - Vanessa, felt a slight sinking in her heart.

Theodore glanced at Phoebe but still answered the call. Vanessa's gentle voice came through. "Theodore, I heard you're back in Kedora. I need to see you; there's something we need to discuss in person." "What is it?" Theodore's voice was icy.

Vanessa hesitated. "I can't talk about this over the phone. Let's meet in person, either at the company or my place."

Theodore replied, "I'll come to the company."

He hung up, gripping the phone tightly, and looked at Lawton. "Is there an issue with Queen Entertainment?"

Lawton hesitated. "Miss Fitzroy will explain."

Theodore frowned deeply and turned to Phoebe, who was staring out the window. Over the past few days, they'd been delivering supplies, and she had almost forgotten about Noah and Claire's termination contracts. Vanessa must be contacting Theodore because of this contract thing.

Theodore hurried to the company. As he got out of the car, a gust of cold air swept in, but Phoebe stayed seated.

Theodore leaned against the car door and said, "You've worked hard these past few days. Go home and rest; I'll be back later."

Phoebe nodded.

The car door closed, and she watched Theodore stride away. Lawton's urgent voice came from beside her. "Mrs. Reynolds, the truth is out. Take care of yourself." Lawton then quickly followed Theodore into the company.

Phoebe was stunned. She gently touched the plain ring hanging around her neck. She didn't regret causing Vanessa trouble.

But her relationship with Theodore, which had just started to improve, might get strained again.

"Mrs. Reynolds, where to now?" Jack asked, looking in the rearview mirror.

Phoebe closed her eyes. What was meant to come would come. "Let's go back to the Imperial Apartment first," she said softly.

Jack replied, "Yes."

The car left the Reynolds Group and soon stopped in the underground parking lot of the Imperial Apartment. Jack helped Phoebe carry her luggage to the penthouse.

Phoebe unpacked, putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket for the housekeeper. After tidying up, she grabbed some clothes and took a bath.

After days of carrying supplies, her body ached now that she was relaxing.

Phoebe lay in the bathtub, almost falling asleep, until her phone rang, waking her up.

She opened her drowsy eyes, picked up the phone, and saw it was Theodore calling. Her eyelids twitched.

Phoebe answered, and Theodore's cold voice came through. "Phoebe, come to the company."

He hung up, lit a cigarette, and silently watched Vanessa, who was crying her eyes out.

Vanessa wiped her tears. "Theodore, I didn't expect Phoebe to be so ruthless. She terminated Noah and Claire's contracts early and even taught them to counter-sue the company for termination fees. How could she be so bad?" Theodore exhaled a thin ring of smoke and said coldly, "Vanessa, don't worry. Phoebe will be here soon, and I'll have her explain."

Vanessa gripped the wheelchair's armrest. "Theodore, Noah and Claire are our top artists. If we lose them, the company won't have any big names left."

Theodore replied, "I got it."

Hearing his indifferent response, Vanessa looked up at him. Theodore looked travel-worn, his hair a bit messy, unlike his usual polished self.

He seemed tired but in good spirits, not as gloomy as before. Vanessa felt uneasy.

She thought, 'Could it be that Theodore and Phoebe's relationship has progressed quickly over the past few days?'

As Vanessa fretted, she caught a glint of silver. Her eyes landed on a simple ring adorning Theodore's left ring finger. It wasn't a designer piece, but the emblem engraved on it was distinctive. Vanessa's complexion turned ashen. Phoebe soon arrived, her clothes changed but her hair still wet. She walked into the CEO's office.

Vanessa immediately looked at Phoebe's left ring finger. Phoebe's hand was red and purple, and her ring finger was bare.

She inwardly breathed a silent, 'Thank goodness!'

Phoebe wasn't wearing a ring, which meant Theodore hadn't bought a matching set. As long as they weren't wearing matching rings, she still had a chance.

Phoebe was unfazed by Vanessa's presence. She had let go of Queen Entertainment's top stars and even taught them to counter-sue the company. It would be strange if Vanessa wasn't angry. Theodore exhaled another ring of smoke and noticed Phoebe's wet hair. He frowned. "The wind and snow outside are strong. Why didn't you dry your hair before coming over?"

"You were in such a hurry; how could I dare delay?" Phoebe's voice had a bit of temper.

In the past, Phoebe would never have spoken to Theodore like this. But after opening up to him the night before, she didn't want to hold back anymore.

Theodore, instead of getting angry, had a hint of a smile in his eyes. "There's a hairdryer in the lounge. Dry your hair and then come back."

Phoebe shot Vanessa a puzzled look and quipped, "Aren't you guys in a hurry?"

Before Vanessa could speak, Theodore said, "Nothing is more important than your health. Don't dawdle, go quickly."

Phoebe replied, "Oh."

She walked into the lounge, and soon the sound of the hairdryer could be heard. Vanessa gripped the wheelchair's armrest tightly.

A woman's intuition was like a finely tuned radar. The instant Phoebe entered the office, Vanessa sensed a subtle shift in Theodore's demeanor towards her.

If there had been tension between Theodore and Phoebe before, it had disappeared after this trip to help the poor.

Theodore and Phoebe locked eyes, creating an almost tangible sweetness in the air.

If this continued, Theodore and Phoebe's relationship would soon become harmonious. At that point, it would be harder for Vanessa to sabotage their relationship than climbing to the sky. Vanessa thought, 'No! I absolutely can't let this happen!'