Forbidden Passion

The docs and nurses showed up in no time, wheeling in a stretcher. The crowd parted like the Red Sea to let them through. They carefully hoisted Theodore, aiming to get him on the stretcher.

Phoebe felt a tug on her shirt. She glanced down and saw Theodore's big, strong hand gripping her shirt.

Even though Theodore was out cold, his hand clung to her shirt like he was scared she'd bolt and forget he saved her life. Everyone was staring at her. Under all those eyes, Phoebe slowly took Theodore's hand, gently prying her shirt free.

The place was a madhouse, and she couldn't just leave.

As she finally freed her shirt, Theodore's arm flopped to the side of the stretcher.

A nurse quickly put his hand back on the bed, and the crew rushed him to the ER, vanishing in a flash.

The fans and bystanders, who had been packed together, gawked at Phoebe in shock, except for a few still snapping pics from the edges.

The bodyguards had already formed a human wall, blocking their cameras; all they got was the blood pooling on the ground.

Phoebe's hands were covered in blood. She walked, stone-faced, to the fan being held by the bodyguards, who was still screaming like a banshee. Without thinking, Phoebe raised her hand and slapped the fan. The place went dead silent, everyone staring at her in shock and fear.

The crazed fan's head snapped to the side, a red handprint on her face. Phoebe said in a low voice, "Who sent you?"

The kidnapping two years ago had taught Phoebe that there was no such thing as random hate, only planned attacks.

Noah's singing had just calmed the fans down. No matter how wild they were, they wouldn't carry a fruit knife, ready to stab someone.

So, this chick acting all crazy was definitely a plant, set up in the chaos.

Phoebe hadn't expected that less than half a month after coming back, she'd already be a target for some people.

Turned out, her return really pissed some folks off.

The fan turned her head, eyes full of spite. She laughed, "Don't think you can use your resources to make Noah bow to you. I'll protect him. Noah, come to me, I'll protect you." Noah broke free from the bodyguards and Lori. He quickly walked to Phoebe and shielded her, staring at the crazed fan with fear in his eyes.

Just a split second more, and he would've seen Phoebe get hurt right in front of him. The thought made Noah shiver with fear.

"You're not my fan. My fans are kind and would never raise a knife to hurt someone," Noah said, his eyes blazing with anger.

The fans nearby heard Noah's words and saw his red eyes. They all said in unison, "Yeah, you're not. Noah's fans wouldn't hurt anyone." The fans spoke together, their voices echoing over the hospital.

They knew how serious this was. If the news of someone getting hurt made it to the trending topics, rival fans would use it to bury them. Plus, it would totally mess up Noah's future.

So, the best move was to deny this nutjob was one of Noah's fans.

The crazed fan laughed like a maniac, "You say I'm not, so I'm not. But when I stabbed Phoebe just now, why didn't any of you step up to stop me? Don't you all hate her for controlling Noah?" Phoebe didn't want things to get worse. She signaled to the bodyguards, and two of them quickly dragged the crazed fan away.

Phoebe warned, "If you have anything to say, tell it to the cops."

"Phoebe, you bully Noah. You deserve a miserable end!" The crazed fan's shrill curses gradually faded away. Phoebe stepped out from behind Noah, her gaze sweeping over the fans and bystanders with various expressions. She said loudly, "I hope those who recorded videos today won't post them online, or I will send you a lawyer's letter."

Those who had planned to post online hesitated, but a few stubbornly went ahead and posted it on Facebook right away.

Phoebe's words were meant to scare the timid ones. She knew it was impossible to completely stop them from posting online.

"Ms. Ziegler, are you hurt?" Lori ran to Phoebe's side, worriedly looking at her blood-stained clothes.

Phoebe shook her head and whispered, "I'm fine. Take Noah back now and have the PR department closely monitor online activity. Activate the first-level emergency plan, quickly!"

At Phoebe's command, Lori quickly escorted Noah away from the scene. Noah wanted to stay with Phoebe, but he knew his presence would only cause more trouble.

Once Noah left, the fans and reporters dispersed, and the hospital's side hall became empty.

Phoebe stood in a pool of blood, feeling dizzy. When Theodore was lifted onto the stretcher by the doctors, she saw the bright knife still lodged in his lower back. Blood gushed from Theodore's lower back, like a heavy hammer striking her heart.

Phoebe's hands and feet were cold.

Phoebe thought they really shouldn't meet, or they would become unlucky.

Phoebe didn't know how long she stood there. She clenched her fists tightly, forced herself to look away, and walked quickly to the nearby restroom as her heart pounded irregularly. Upstairs, Vanessa, who was guarding Sarah's room, felt her phone vibrate. She glanced at Brandon and Taylor by the bedside and quietly left the room.

Vanessa leaned against the wall, looking at the message on her phone: [Ms. Fitzroy, the task is done.]

Vanessa's eyes flickered. She quickly replied.

Vanessa: [Make sure to keep her mouth shut. If she dares to leak anything, I'll hold you responsible!]

Her helper: [I understand.]

Vanessa put away her phone, a cold smile on her lips as she watched the hurried doctors and nurses in the corridor.

The entertainment industry had limited resources for artists. Since Phoebe's high-profile return, Queen Entertainment had lost several resources.

Why did Phoebe always have to compete with her? In the past, she fought for Theodore; now, she fought for resources.

Since that was the case, just saw who had the more ruthless methods!