Forbidden Passion

Phoebe clenched her hand. What had Theodore gone through all these years to learn how to flirt under the table? She looked up and saw Stanley watching her with interest. Feeling a bit uneasy, she said, "I need to use the restroom."

She pushed back her chair and quickly walked out of the private room. There was a waiter standing outside. She lowered her voice and said, "The bill, please."

The waiter respectfully replied, "Ms. Ziegler, Mr. Reynolds has already settled the bill."

Phoebe raised her eyebrows slightly, nodded to the waiter, and went to the restroom to wash her hands. When she returned to the private room, Stanley was waiting for her.

"I'll take care of what you mentioned earlier. I have a meeting this afternoon. Phoebe, let's catch up later," Stanley said as he stood up and shook her hand.

As they walked out of the private room, they happened to run into Theodore and his group finishing their meal and coming out of the adjacent room. Phoebe paused, taken aback.

No wonder Theodore knew she was here. He must have seen her when she and Stanley passed by the private room earlier.

Among the group, besides Brandon and Theodore, there were a few industry figures Phoebe had met when she was Theodore's secretary.

A sharp-eyed person recognized her and said with a smile, "Isn't this Ms. Ziegler? I heard you started an entertainment company and it's doing very well. Impressive!"

Phoebe nodded to the person, "Mr. Upton, long time no see."

Raphael Upton, who was having dinner with Theodore's group for the first time today, had drunk a bit too much and reeked of alcohol. He walked unsteadily towards Phoebe.

"Ms. Ziegler, you worked at our company for a few months back then. Mr. Reynolds, how could you let someone as capable as Ms. Ziegler leave?" Raphael said, standing next to Phoebe and reaching out to pat her shoulder.

Phoebe dodged, frowning. She hadn't expected to run into Raphael at this moment.

After leaving the Reynolds Group, she had planned to start anew and went to work as Raphael's secretary. Later, she learned from colleagues that Raphael only hired pretty secretaries to send them to the beds of board members of partner companies for greater benefits.

On her first day, Raphael took her to a banquet, and the wine and room key he gave her were problematic.

Even if she hadn't gone to the wrong room that night, she wouldn't have escaped unscathed.

Seeing Raphael now, Phoebe felt a flash of disgust and didn't want any further contact with him. Raphael's appearance also reminded her of that night at the hotel, making her feel even colder inside.

Theodore, with a serious expression, quickly walked to Phoebe's side, blocking Raphael's harassment. "Mr. Upton, you're drunk. Lawton, help Raphael downstairs." Lawton immediately stepped forward and helped Raphael away. Raphael, indeed drunk, was led away by Lawton.

Seeing Theodore's displeased expression, the others quickly found excuses to leave. Even Stanley followed suit, leaving the corridor with just Brandon, Theodore, and Phoebe.

Brandon, with a stern and authoritative demeanor, frowned when he saw Phoebe standing there without greeting him. "Have you forgotten your manners after going abroad?"

"Dad," Theodore frowned.

Phoebe, however, didn't care much about Brandon's attitude. She was no longer the daughter-in-law of the Reynolds family and wouldn't fear him as she once did. "Mr. Brandon Reynolds."

Brandon was a bit displeased with how Phoebe addressed him. "Is that how you address me after your divorce?"

"Now that I have no connection with the Reynolds family, I feel it's more appropriate to address you formally," Phoebe said calmly.

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Hearing this, both father and son of the Reynolds family looked displeased. Theodore grabbed her wrist and said, "Dad, Phoebe and I have something to discuss. We'll be going now."

He pulled her away, but Brandon's authoritative voice came from behind, "Phoebe, you were once our daughter-in-law. I hope you conduct yourself properly outside and avoid being seen with strange men, lest you invite gossip."

Phoebe clenched her fist at her side and was pulled into the elevator by Theodore.

With just the two of them in the elevator, Phoebe withdrew her hand, sensing Theodore's barely contained anger. He said, "Do you really want to sever all ties with the Reynolds family?"

Phoebe lowered her eyes, staring at the light in the elevator. Feeling irritated, she replied, "Mr. Reynolds, our relationship was just a charade. You don't think I still want to marry into the Reynolds family, do you?"

"Phoebe!" Theodore growled in displeasure.

Phoebe looked up at him, "I thought it over last night. Compared to getting back together with you, I value my life more."

Theodore glared at her, his eyes bloodshot and terrifying.

Phoebe, however, smiled nonchalantly, "I'm a businesswoman. After weighing the pros and cons, I naturally choose the option most beneficial to me. After all, Mr. Reynolds, you once abandoned me for Miss Fitzroy. You might do it again for another woman, plunging me into hell once more."

"Is this something you can never get over?" Theodore looked at her with deep pain in his eyes. "For three years, I've regretted it every moment..."

"That's your problem," Phoebe interrupted coldly. "Mr. Reynolds, I don't trust you. Even as a bed partner, you could bring me to ruin. I don't have the confidence to endure it again."

The elevator doors opened, and guests waiting to check in stood outside.

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Phoebe strode out. She had been deeply hurt once and still hadn't recovered from the emotional scars.

Theodore tempted her to get close, but the thought of the potential danger made her hesitate.

Such deep pain and despair, she didn't want to experience again.

Better not to start, to avoid getting hurt.

Theodore walked out of the elevator, watching her figure slowly disappear through the

glass doors. He was very unhappy. Phoebe dared to go back on her word.

Last night, Phoebe let him kiss her just to calm him down, fearing he would take her back to the villa in a fit of rage.

Today, with the danger gone, she became heartless. Well done!

Phoebe returned to the office, and Lori ran over to tell her that Madison had arrived. She frowned and headed to the reception room.

Madison was scrolling through Facebook, her legs propped up on the table. Seeing Phoebe enter, she said, "I've been waiting for you for a long time. Why are you just getting back?"

Phoebe sat across from Madison, her gaze falling on Madison's feet. She said coldly, "Didn't you learn any manners?"

Madison, a bit embarrassed, put her feet back on the carpet and said sheepishly, "How

I sit is none of your business. By the way, I'm here to tell you to stay away from Edward. He's my boyfriend now, and we're getting married."

Phoebe, unfazed by the revelation, said, "Congratulations on getting what you wanted."

Madison, smugly showing off, said, "Thank you. When we get married, I'll send you an invitation so you can see how happy I am."