Forbidden Passion

Phoebe was clinging to Theodore like he was her lifeline. Her limbs, all stiff and numb, were finally getting some feeling back, and tears were just streaming down her face. "Theodore, I hit someone," Phoebe blurted out.

Theodore could feel her shaking like a leaf. He kept rubbing her back, trying to calm her down. "Hey, it's alright. I'll take care of it. Don't freak out."

Phoebe shut her eyes, tears still flowing. "I didn't see him. He just jumped out of nowhere. I swear, I didn't mean to."

Ingrid overheard and lost it. "What? You hit my son and now you're blaming him for not following traffic rules?"

Theodore shot her a sharp look and said in a low voice, "The traffic cops will sort it out. Lawton, go find out what's up." Lawton took off in a hurry.

Ingrid, clearly rattled by Theodore, stood nearby, anxiously eyeing the green light above the operating room.

Time dragged on. Theodore helped Phoebe sit on a bench and tried to wipe the dried blood off her hands with a tissue.

However, the blood was stubbornly caked on, refusing to budge. Phoebe hid her hands behind her back, not wanting Theodore to see the mess. "It's fine," she muttered. "I'll take you to wash up," Theodore said, helping her to her feet and guiding her to the restroom.

Ingrid and her husband Yannick Navarro quickly blocked their path, glaring suspiciously. "Where do you think you're going? Trying to make a run for it?"

Theodore frowned. "I'm Theodore Reynolds, CEO of the Reynolds Group. We're not running."

Ingrid and Yannick exchanged looks. They knew the Reynolds Group. If their son Quimby Navarro was seriously hurt, making Phoebe pay would be tough.

Theodore led Phoebe to the restroom, washed the blood off her hands, and handed her a tissue to dry them.

"Phoebe, don't stress. Leave it to me and the lawyers. It'll be fine." Theodore took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, his heart aching at the sight of her flushed cheeks.

In that moment, Phoebe appeared incredibly delicate, as though she could shatter with the slightest touch.As they made their way back to the emergency room, they found Ingrid and Yannick already seated on the bench. The relief on their faces was palpable as they returned.

Before long, Lawton arrived with a traffic cop in tow."Mr. Reynolds, I brought the traffic police. He'll explain what happened." Lawton stood next to Phoebe and gave her a nod.

Ingrid and Yannick jumped up and rushed over to the cop. Ingrid's voice was shrill. "Officer, was it her who hit my son?"

The traffic cop looked at Ingrid and tried to keep things calm. "Mrs. Navarro, please relax. We checked the surveillance and talked to witnesses. They all said Ms. Ziegler was driving normally. Your son Quimby didn't follow traffic rules and jumped out from the roadside. It's on him. But since Ms. Ziegler didn't brake in time, she has to cover all medical expenses."

Ingrid screamed, "I don't believe it! You must've been bribed. Quimby always follows the rules. No way he broke traffic laws!"

The traffic cop said, "If you don't believe me, you can come with us and review the footage."

"I don't wanna see it!" Ingrid was losing it. She snapped, "He says he's the CEO of the Reynolds Group. You must've been bribed. Surveillance can be faked, witnesses can be bought. I don't buy it. Quimby, you got hit and sent to the ER, and they're still trying to pin it on you. Is there any justice left?"

The traffic cop looked at Ingrid, clearly exasperated. "Mrs. Navarro, that's how it went down." Hearing the cop's verdict, Phoebe finally felt a bit of relief. She glanced up at Theodore.

Theodore leaned down and kissed her forehead. "It's not your fault. Don't beat yourself up."

Phoebe looked towards the emergency room, her voice shaky. "How's he gonna be?"

"The docs will do their best. Don't stress. You were driving slow. He'll pull through." Theodore gently rubbed the back of her head.

Ingrid kept crying and yelling, making a nurse come out to scold her. Yannick had to pull her away.

After what felt like forever, the light in the emergency room finally went out, and the doctor came out. Phoebe rushed over.

The doctor said, "The patient has a ruptured spleen, broken ribs, a busted forearm, and some other injuries. With proper care, he should be okay."

Ingrid heard this and started wailing again, "Doctor, he almost died, and you say it's not a big deal? Do you have any humanity left in you?"

The doctor frowned but didn't argue. He nodded at Theodore and walked away.

The nurse wheeled Quimby out. Ingrid broke free from Yannick and ran over, seeing Quimby all bruised and swollen. She started crying loudly again, "Quimby, you were fine when you left home. How did you end up like this? Damn driver, why didn't she die instead?"

"Mrs. Navarro, watch your mouth," Lawton snapped, unable to hold back.

Ingrid wiped her tears and glared at Phoebe with pure hatred. "I said the driver should die, not you. Why are you so worked up?"

"You!" Lawton was about to argue, but Phoebe stopped him. She looked at the unconscious Quimby and thought he looked kinda familiar.

Seeing Phoebe staring at Quimby, Ingrid shouted, "What are you looking at? Haven't you done enough to him?"

Lawton retorted, "How can you say that..."

"Mr. Brown, let it go," Phoebe cut him off. After they left, Phoebe swayed.

Theodore quickly caught her. Seeing her pale face, he picked her up. "Let's go. I'll take you to see a doctor."

After all the drama, it turned out Phoebe was just super scared and had low blood sugar. Theodore finally relaxed. "Leave the rest to the lawyers. You don't need to deal with it anymore." Phoebe sipped some sugar water and nodded. "I think I've seen that boy somewhere before, but I can't remember where."

Theodore comforted her, "Take your time. No rush."

After a moment of deep concentration, Phoebe's face brightened in realization. "At the Sullivan Group's fish restaurant. He was with Madison."

Theodore frowned. "You mean he knows Madison?"

"Not just knows her, Madison put him up to this." Phoebe said through gritted teeth. The last thing she said must've ticked Madison off, and Madison had someone stop her. Phoebe just didn't expect Madison to go this far.