Forbidden Passion
Chapter 16 Mia

This statement hit Theodore's sore spot accurately, and he sneered, "Busy with what? Busy compared to me, her boss? It's just a matter of whether she cares enough." Phoebe rolled her eyes, and Vanessa caught it.

The two of them awkwardly locked eyes for two seconds before Vanessa was the first to look away and turn to Theodore.

Compared to the tenderness and consideration she showed towards Phoebe, Theodore's attitude towards her was extremely harsh. She had secretly delighted in their strained relationship as a married couple, but now a After spending several days together, she gradually discovered that things were not as they seemed. In these past few days, Theodore accompanied her to meet many friends, always showing restraint and politeness, never revealing a hint of sharpness or impatience. He was perfect, almost like a gentleman from a bygone era, but his perfection made him seem unreal and difficult to approach. It was as if he wore a mask, only showing his gentle and harmless side to others. But he would reveal his true and worst self to the closest people closest to him. He would freely lose his temper and be sarcastic. Because he knew that person would never truly be angry with him or leave him.

This was a side of Theodore that she had never seen before, and because she had never seen it, she felt anxious and wanted to do something to exacerbate the conflict between them.

"Miss Ziegler, Theodore told me that you will be my manager from now on. We don't have each other's contact information yet, so let's exchange WeChat IDs," Vanessa said, turning to Phoebe and handing her the QR code on her phone. "Scan this."

Phoebe had added the WeChat ID of other artists before, but she had never added Vanessa's. It wasn't because she was proud or timid, but because she felt that their relationship was delicate and it would be better to have less contact. She took out her phone and scanned the QR code, sending a friend request to Vanessa. Vanessa quickly accepted her request and saw her WeChat name, asking with a smile, "Is Mia your nickname?"

Theodore's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly glanced at the rearview mirror. He had never added Phoebe on WeChat and didn't know that her WeChat name was Mia. But the name "Mia" was too special to him. "No, I just randomly picked it," Phoebe replied.

Actually, Mia was her nickname, but since her father passed away, no one in her family called her Mia anymore. When she got WeChat, she decided to use this name for herself.

"Oh, really?" Vanessa sounded a bit disappointed. She casually glanced at Theodore and said, "I thought your nickname was also Mia."

Unintentional words, but intentional listeners.

Also?

Phoebe's heart started beating faster. "So, Miss Fitzroy's nickname is Mia?"

"Yes, before I went abroad, Theodore used to call me Mia. But since I came back, he hasn't called me that anymore because he's still mad at me," Vanessa said in a somewhat melancholic and resentful tone. Her voice, however, was very coquettish, like she was being cute with her boyfriend. "Theodore, why do you have such a temper?"

Suddenly, there was a buzzing sound in Phoebe's ears and her mind went blank. She couldn't hear anything else.

She suddenly recalled that night, when the drunken man held her, his alcohol-laden breath enveloping her, and he whispered gently in her ear, "Mia, don't be afraid, I will cherish you."

She had always thought that he knew her nickname and was calling her by it. But she never expected that throughout that entire night, he had been calling for Vanessa. The color drained from her face, and she looked extraordinarily fragile and pitiful.

She didn't know what to do next.

It took a while before Phoebe finally heard Vanessa calling her, "Miss Ziegler, Miss Ziegler, we have arrived, let's get off the car."

Phoebe snapped out of her thoughts and found the car already parked in the mall's underground parking lot. Theodore and Vanessa were standing outside, looking at her.

She opened the door and got off the car, feeling a slight weakness in her legs as they touched the ground. A wide and sturdy hand reached out to support her waist. "Why do you look so pale? Did you get carsick?" Theodore looked at her almost translucent cheeks with a worried frown.

Phoebe coldly brushed off his hand and said indifferently, "I've been sitting for too long, my legs are numb."

Theodore regretted feeling sympathy for her. She was playing his own game with him. : "..."

Vanessa had already put on a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a mask. She squeezed herself between the two of them and said enthusiastically, "Miss Ziegler, let me assist you."

"No need." Phoebe shook her legs and walked briskly towards the elevator.

Vanessa stood beside Theodore, looking at his gloomy and handsome face with somewhat disappointed tone, "Theodore, maybe I shouldn't have come with you. It seems like Miss Ziegler isn't very pleased." "Why do you care if she's happy or not?" Theodore's voice was still gentle, despite his frustrated mood. "If there's anyone who should be happy, it should be youYou just need to be happy."

Upon hearing this, Vanessa laughed, "Theodore, you can't openly show favoritism towards me like this. I still want to get along well with Miss Ziegler."

Phoebe, walking ahead, rolled her eyes at their chat. She had indeed overestimated Vanessa's moral standards.

It was as if she thought that if Phoebe was unhappy, she would make things difficult for her.

"Rest assured," Theodore said. "Regardless of anything else, you can trust Phoebe's professionalism. She won't let personal emotions affect her work."

Behind her sunglasses, Vanessa's eyes flickered. Theodore's evaluation of Phoebe was quite high, which explained why he had assigned her as the artistic director at QUEEN Entertainment Company. She had always thought that the QUEEN Entertainment Company was Theodore's gift to her upon her return to the country. Now, she had to submit to Phoebe's authority and be limited by her. Just the thought of it made her burn with envy and jealousy!

Theodore had a reason for saying that. For the past three years, no matter how bad his relationship with Phoebe was, as soon as she put on her suit, she would transform into the professional and composed Ms. Ziegler. That kind version of Phoebe was actually quite charming.

Therefore, he always wanted to tear apart the armor-like suit she wore and see the look of panic on her face.

Only then could he sense a trace of humanity in her, rather than feeling like she was just an emotionless zombie.

They took the elevator up. As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, a strong fragrance overwhelmed them. The International Financial Center sparkled and everywhere was filled with the sinister scent of money. This place gathered luxury brands from all over the world.,

Here, buying a bag casually would cost tens of thousands. Sales of luxurious items were soaring.

In fact, buyingsending gifts forto Mrs. Reynolds was not a difficult task. She loved jewelry and handbags, especially limited editions, which was a common interest among wealthy women. When they gathered together, they would always compare jewelry and handbags, with no original topics to discuss.

Six months ago, Phoebe had ordered a limited edition platinum Himalayan bag from Hermès, made with top-notch crocodile skin and adorned with sparkling diamonds. Expensive was an understatement for it. As the sales assistant brought out the bag and uncovered the dust bag, Phoebe's eyes were nearly blinded. She was about to ask the assistant to pack it for her when Vanessa confidently spoke up, "I'll take this bag."

Phoebe squinted at Vanessa, wondering if she was trying to snatch it from her?