Forbidden Passion

Phoebe fought the urge to facepalm. She glanced up at Noah, who towered over her, and blurted out, "Hey, everyone, chill! Wanna hear Noah drop his new track live?"

The fans' heated bickering came to a screeching halt. They all whipped their heads around to stare at Phoebe, and she half-expected to hear necks cracking.

Their eyes lit up with excitement. "For real? We get to hear Noah sing live?"

Ignoring Noah's frantic hand signals behind her, Phoebe kept her cool. "Yep, and you can even throw in some requests."

Noah was blindsided. He hadn't planned on dropping any new tracks anytime soon.

Now, he was caught totally off guard.

The fans' eyes were glued to Noah, and he had no choice but to let go of Phoebe's hand, step up, and say, "The new track's still under wraps, but I can sing something else. What do you wanna hear?" The fans went wild, nodding like bobbleheads and whipping out their phones to record.

Phoebe leaned in and whispered to Noah, "Stall 'em till security gets here."

She barely moved her lips. The place was buzzing with fan excitement, so no one caught what she said.

But the fans were fuming, their eyes practically shooting daggers at Phoebe.

Noah got the message. He shot Phoebe a look full of affection, then stepped forward. The fans instinctively backed up, all cameras locked on him.

Noah flashed a small smile. "What do you wanna hear?"

"Does the North Star Know I Love You!" they shouted in unison, showing just how much they loved that song.

Noah grinned, cleared his throat, and started humming. The place went dead quiet, with only Noah's voice filling the air.

Phoebe let out a sigh of relief. She stepped back and signaled Alfonso to bring in the backup.

Alfonso got the hint and motioned for the security guards to spread out and move in to escort Noah.

Lori, who was still shaken from the fan frenzy, sidled up to Phoebe. "Ms. Ziegler, what now?"

"Later, you and the security team get Noah outta here. No matter what, keep him safe, got it?" Phoebe said in a low voice.

Lori, still trembling, nodded. "Okay, I got it. I'll protect Noah."

"Good."

Noah was belting out the most emotional part of the song. He glanced around for Phoebe, wanting to sing the line, 'Does the North Star know I love you,' just for her.

Right then, someone's phone buzzed in the crowd. They checked the message and saw an instruction: [Now's the time.]

A sinister look crossed their face. They suddenly shouted, "Noah, this song isn't for the fans, is it? Are you confessing to your manager in public?"

Phoebe's alarm bells went off. She shoved Lori towards Noah. "Protect him, now!"

Fans' emotions were like a powder keg, especially after the earlier blow-up between the hardcore fans and the shippers. That guy's words were just gasoline on the fire, aiming all the hate at Phoebe. Phoebe spotted a few extreme fans glaring daggers at her. Priority one: get Noah outta there.

Noah's singing cut off, and the crowd went nuts. The fans who had backed off now surged forward, those die-hard Noah stans pushing through like a tidal wave.

Voices shouted over each other, "Noah, if she's making you do this, tell us, and we'll save you."

"Noah's gotta work under her, so he can't say anything. Phoebe, if you're forcing him, I'll end you."

Outta nowhere, one fan whipped out a shiny fruit knife. She brandished it and charged at Phoebe.

The crazed fan moved fast. Noah had been in front of her, but Lori, following orders, had yanked him away.

Now, there was nothing between Phoebe and the knife-wielding fan. The blade was aimed right at her heart. Noah, regaining his balance, saw the knife heading straight for Phoebe. "Phoebe!" Noah screamed, lunging towards her, but it was too late.

Phoebe watched the knife get closer. She tried to back up, but they were already cornered.

With nowhere to go, Phoebe's back hit the wall. Her eyes widened in fear, and she wondered if this was it.

If she died, what would happen to Hubert, Boris, and Noomi?

Evelyn was so old. Would she have to go back to being a nanny to support Hubert, Boris, and Noomi?

No!

She couldn't die!

A tall figure lunged at Phoebe, shielding her with his body. Phoebe heard the sound of the blade slicing through fabric and flesh.

Warm blood splattered, hitting the crazed fan's face. She stood there, stunned, then let out a blood-curdling scream.

"I killed Phoebe. You can't force Noah anymore, you witch." The fan, looking deranged, was quickly subdued by security.

The noise around them faded. Phoebe slowly looked up, staring blankly at Theodore in front of her. His face was ghostly pale, lips pressed tight, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

A strange scent mixed with the strong smell of blood filled Phoebe's nose. She looked down and saw blood pooling on the shiny floor tiles, spreading like flowers.

Phoebe started trembling, her lips quivering uncontrollably.

She asked, "Why?"

Why did Theodore save her?

Back then, Theodore had chosen Vanessa over her. Why did he save her now? He could've just stood by!

Theodore was in agony. He opened his mouth, but instead of answering, he said, "Don't cry; I'm fine."

Before he could finish, Theodore's vision went black, and he started to collapse.

Phoebe quickly grabbed his waist, but her hand met warm, sticky blood. She knew what it was, and her heart raced.

"Help, get a doctor, he's hurt!"

Phoebe's voice shook uncontrollably. She clung tightly to Theodore's belt, not letting him fall.