Forbidden Passion

The black sedan slowly vanished into the night. Phoebe stepped aside, waiting for Guadalupe to bring the car around, when suddenly Theodore's deep voice cut through the air. "When did you get so close with Milton?"

Phoebe was rocking a black vest today, paired with black wide-leg pants and high heels, looking both casual and stylish.

The night breeze gently blew, causing her pant legs to sway lightly, and the dark patterns on them shimmered with silver light, making her figure look particularly slender. Phoebe casually glanced at Theodore with her hands in her pockets.

She said with a blank expression, "We became friends when we started our business abroad."

Theodore's fingers at his side slightly curled, and his thin lips pressed into a straight line. "I don't like him. Stay away from him."

Phoebe raised an eyebrow and said, "Mr. Reynolds, what gives you the right to order me around?"

"Just because," Theodore wanted to say because I'm your husband, but suddenly remembered they were already divorced. He bit his lip as he said, "Can't you see he has ulterior motives?"

"I can't see it." Phoebe shifted her gaze indifferently as the car lights flickered over. She took a step down the stairs.

The next second, a large hand grabbed her wrist. She immediately frowned. "Mr. Reynolds, I've grown tired of telling you to respect yourself."

Theodore looked down at Phoebe's impatient expression and said in a deep voice, "Think about it. Out of so many people, why did he only help you?"

"Yeah," Phoebe said with a sneer, curling her lips. "When I had nothing, he provided funds for me to start a business without asking for anything in return for two years. He never harmed me. Why do you think that is?" Theodore's face darkened. He took a deep breath. "Phoebe, I've already apologized for that incident. How long are you going to hate me?"

Phoebe seemed unable to bear it. She shook off Theodore's hand and took a few steps back to escape his control. Her face darkened. "Mr. Reynolds, I almost forgot. I was willing to let you appear frequently in front of me because you were offering resources. Without your resources, my company wouldn't experience significant losses."

Theodore gritted his teeth. "Phoebe!"

Phoebe's gaze was full of provocation. "Mr. Reynolds, did you think I allowed you to appear in front of me because I still had feelings for you?"

Before Theodore could speak, Phoebe answered her own question. "The moment I signed my name on the divorce papers, everything between us was over." Theodore's face turned pale.

He stared at Phoebe, his gaze moving from her indifferent face to her soft lips. Theodore couldn't believe such heartless words came from her mouth.

The black sedan slowly drove up and stopped behind Phoebe. Guadalupe got out and opened the back door.

Phoebe looked at Theodore and said in the coldest voice, "Mr. Reynolds, if you can start it, you should be able to finish it. Don't make me look down on you." With that, she turned to get into the car.

Theodore suddenly spoke from behind her, "Phoebe, you said you had nothing when you went abroad. I remember I had Lawton send you the Warranty Deed and a bank card."

Phoebe paused and got into the car. She looked straight ahead. "I didn't take them. They're in the safe at West Mountain Villas."

Theodore's ears were ringing, feeling worse than if he'd been slapped. He stared at her, trembling as he asked, "Why?"

Phoebe turned to look at him and said in the coldest tone, "I just don't want anything you give me."

The car drove away, leaving Theodore standing there, his hand clenched into a fist, veins bulging on the back of his hand.

Years ago, he had Lawton bring the Warranty Deed for West Mountain Villas and a bank card with a five-billion-dollar deposit to Phoebe.

For over two years, Theodore had never received any transaction or transfer records. It turned out Phoebe had never accepted his compensation.

In the night, Theodore felt abandoned. His deep eyes were filled with shock, pain, and helpless despair.

He had always thought that as long as Phoebe came back, they could return to the past.

It wasn't until this moment that Theodore realized how resolute Phoebe had been when she left, and how impossible it was for them to reconcile now. What should he do? What else could he do? The black Bentley silently crossed the road, the light outside the car changing. Phoebe remained silent, and two tears unexpectedly rolled down her cheeks.

Phoebe paused for a moment, then hurriedly wiped her eyes.

Guadalupe glanced at the rearview mirror and said with concern, "Ms. Ziegler, you must be tired today. Why don't you close your eyes and rest? I'll wake you when we get home."

"I'm fine, Guadalupe." Phoebe's voice was hoarse when she spoke, realizing she couldn't remain indifferent after all.

Guadalupe glanced at the rearview mirror again but said nothing more, quietly driving.

Phoebe leaned wearily against the seat, closing her eyes, but Theodore's hurt and confused expression kept appearing in her mind.

She raised her hand to cover her eyes, and after a long time, she sighed silently.

In the following days, Theodore didn't appear again. Perhaps her words had hurt his pride.

However, flowers and pastries continued to be sent to her office like a stream, until every employee in the open office area had a bouquet of red roses on their desk. Phoebe finally couldn't stand it anymore. She dialed Theodore's number.

Theodore said, "Why did you call me?"

Theodore's voice sounded as cold as ever, seemingly having digested all the negative emotions from that day.

Phoebe stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked out at the bustling street scene. "Mr. Reynolds, can you stop sending flowers and pastries to my office?"

"No!" Theodore firmly rejected her suggestion.

Phoebe took a deep breath, suppressing the anger surging in her heart. She used a negotiating tone. "No matter how beautiful red roses are, seeing them every day will lead to aesthetic fatigue. No matter how delicious pastries are, eating them every day will get tiresome."

"I understand." Theodore said.

Phoebe was stunned. She hadn't even finished her sentence. What did Theodore understand? Based on her past understanding of him, she felt it was best to leave it at that.

Otherwise, if she really angered Theodore, who knew what he might do.

Phoebe said, "In that case, I'll hang up."

"Okay."

Phoebe hung up the phone, still feeling a bit uneasy. She thought to herself, 'When did Theodore become so agreeable? He never used to give anyone a break. Oh well, since he said he understood, he definitely won't send flowers and pastries anymore.'