Forbidden Passion

Hank clapped his hands and laughed, "Ms. Ziegler, I like your style, but I've already got someone for this role."

Phoebe stayed calm, "Patrick's booked solid until the year after next. He can't take on Nicholas."

Last night, when Cindy came over to Phoebe's for dinner, they ended up chatting about the entertainment industry and the casting for "Ice and Fire." Word was, Hank had been talking to Patrick's team, trying to get him to play Nicholas, but Patrick wasn't taking any new movies.

This was insider info even Hank didn't know.

Hank grinned, "Looks like you did your homework."

"Hank, your movies always kill it at the box office. What you really need is to create another star like Patrick, right?"

"Ms. Ziegler, you sure know how to talk." Hank turned to Theodore with a helpless look, "Mr. Reynolds, you're the investor. You decide who plays Nicholas." Phoebe pressed her lips together and looked up at Theodore. Under the bright lights, his gaze was unreadable, making it hard for Phoebe to figure him out.

Wesley looked at Theodore nervously, while Phoebe spoke up, "Mr. Reynolds, I apologize for any offense caused earlier."

Theodore leaned back in his chair, squinting at Phoebe.

Phoebe was really adaptable. When she despised him, she could curse him out, making him feel bad for days. Now that she needed something from him, she immediately changed her tune.

"Ms. Ziegler, are you really sincere?" he said lazily, looking like he was trying to make things difficult for Phoebe.

Wesley stood up abruptly and spoke urgently, "Mr. Reynolds."

Hank, watching from the side, saw clearly that Theodore wasn't trying to make Phoebe drink; it was just their way of flirting. But Wesley was about to get himself into trouble without understanding the situation. Hank interrupted Wesley and said, "Sit down. Mr. Reynolds wouldn't want to make things difficult for your Ms. Ziegler. Don't worry."

Theodore lazily glanced over as he said, "Hank, you talk too much."

Wesley was still very worried, keeping a close eye on them.

Phoebe looked at Theodore, saying, "Mr. Reynolds, what do I need to do to show my sincerity?"

Theodore glanced at Phoebe, then raised his hand to call over a waiter. He whispered a few words to the waiter, who then left.

After a while, the waiter returned with a tray holding three glasses, each filled halfway with liquid.

Theodore said in a playful tone, "There are three glasses, but only one of them contains a drink. Ms. Ziegler, if you pick the one with the drink, the role of Nicholas is yours. A one-in-three chance, do you want to take it?" Phoebe stared at the three colorful glasses. The liquid inside looked identical, making it impossible to distinguish by sight.

Phoebe always liked a challenge. Theodore had given her a chance, and it wasn't her style to give up without trying.

Phoebe said, "Alright!"

Wesley, sitting next to her, widened his eyes in surprise. He nervously clutched his pants. It was the first time he had seen someone get a role this way.

Phoebe's gaze swept over the three glasses, and she glanced at Theodore out of the corner of her eye, trying to gauge his reaction. However, he showed no reaction at all. Gritting her teeth, she picked up the glass in the middle and took a sip.

Phoebe's expression was complicated. Wesley asked anxiously, "Ms. Ziegler, what is it?"

Phoebe swallowed it and said, "It's flavored soda."

Wesley jumped up in excitement and hugged Phoebe, spinning her around, "Ms. Ziegler, thank you! You're my lucky charm!"

Wesley was so happy he lost his composure, completely unaware of Theodore's face darkening beside him. He was still immersed in the joy of getting one of the lead roles. Originally, he had missed out on the role of Diego and had been down for half a day. He didn't expect things to turn around in the evening, landing him a lead role. Phoebe was dizzy from being spun around, and the soda spilled all over Wesley. Wesley was ecstatic, not caring at all, and continued spinning her around. "Wesley, put me down," she patted Wesley's shoulder.

Wesley snapped out of his joy and put Phoebe back on the ground, scratching his head sheepishly, "Ms. Ziegler, I was too happy. I'm sorry if I offended you." Phoebe waved her hand, her mood lifted by Wesley's genuine joy, "Don't just thank me, thank Mr. Reynolds and Hank for giving you this opportunity." Wesley quickly thanked Theodore and Hank. Seeing Wesley's simple-mindedness, Hank joked that he was worried Wesley would play Nicholas like a fool.

The atmosphere lightened up immediately.

Phoebe was about to take the opportunity to sit back down when Theodore pulled out the chair next to him, clearly indicating she should sit beside him.

She pressed her lips together, meeting Theodore's gaze. She couldn't bring herself to burn bridges just yet. Besides, the contract wasn't signed yet, and Theodore could back out at any time.

As a result, she had no choice but to sit next to Theodore.

The waiter soon brought the dishes, and Wesley got up to pour wine for Theodore and Hank. Wesley and Hank chatted happily.

Phoebe saw that Wesley was good at conversation and finally relaxed, focusing on her meal.

After dinner, Phoebe went to the bar to pay the bill. Theodore and the others gradually left the private room. Phoebe exchanged a few pleasantries with them and was about to call Guadalupe to pick her up when she realized she had left her phone in the private room.

She said, "You go ahead. I left my phone in the private room. I'll go get it."

Hank's car had already arrived. He waved at Phoebe and got into the car. After watching Hank leave, Phoebe turned and hurried back to the restaurant.

Outside the private room, a waiter was cleaning up the large round table. Seeing Phoebe return, the waiter picked up a phone from a nearby cabinet and handed it to her, "Ms. Ziegler, is this your phone?"

"Yes, thank you." Phoebe took the phone and thanked the waiter. She was about to leave when she caught a glimpse of the tray on the table.

The two remaining glasses of liquid on the tray were untouched. On a whim, Phoebe walked over, picked up one glass, and sniffed it.

She didn't smell any alcohol. She took a sip and picked up the other glass. All three glasses were flavored soda.

Theodore had never intended to make things difficult for her!