Forbidden Passion
Chapter 331 Do I Look That Stupid?

The black vintage car sped towards them, causing Phoebe and her pursuers to stop in their tracks. Seeing that the vehicle not slowing down at all, the pursuers started running back. When the car screeched to a halt beside Phoebe, the passenger window rolled down. Theodore spoke harshly with a stern look, "What are you standing there for? Get in!" Phoebe froze for two seconds when she spotted Theodore driving. Realizing something was wrong, the black-clad bodyguards turned back and started chasing again. Terrified, she quickly opened the passenger door and jumped in.

The car hadn't even closed its door properly when it shot off like an arrow. Phoebe clung to the seat tightly to avoid being thrown out.

The passenger door slammed shut with inertia. The black-clad bodyguards chased the car for half a block, but in the end could only curse and watch helplessly as the car disappeared into the night.

In the casino, a man stepped out of the shadows, wearing an exquisite fox mask with a ruby embedded in the center of his forehead, making his black eyes appear even more sinister. "Did you lose her?" The masked man's voice was emotionless.

The dozen bodyguards lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

The masked man curled his lips. "A dozen of you chasing one woman, and you still let her get away. You're useless to me."

"Sorry, sir. We don't expect a vintage car to show up and take her away," one of them said, trembling.

The masked man's face darkened. "Did you see who took her?"

"It was too dark to see..."

"Useless! Get out of my sight!" the masked man roared. The bodyguards immediately scrambled out, fearing they might never leave if they were a second late.

Soon, the large room was left with only the masked man. He let out a cryptic laugh. 'So close to catching her, what a pity!' he thought.

The car finally slowed down to a normal speed. Phoebe quickly fastened her seatbelt and looked at the man in the driver's seat. "When did you come to Starfall City?" Theodore gripped the steering wheel tightly without a word, his face stern.

He truly hadn't expected Phoebe to be so bold, daring to venture into the casino alone. If he had been a moment later, the consequence would have been unimaginable.

Feeling the tense atmosphere in the car, Phoebe nervously tugged at her seatbelt, asking, "Are you here on a business trip? When did the company expand its business to Starfall City?"

Theodore grew even colder. He glanced at her. She was wearing a black strapless top, revealing her delicate collarbones and slim waist, paired with a low-cut leather skirt. She looked modern and sexy, like a seductive girl.

He had never seen her dressed in a very wild style. The thought of so many people chasing her in that outfit made him jealous, wishing he could gouge out the eyes of anyone who had seen her.

Phoebe felt his direct gaze all over her body, making her instinctively feel ashamed.

She tugged at her neckline, trying to pull it up.

Then a black suit jacket landed on her, covering her completely. The fresh scent of mint filled her nose, making her cheeks heat up. She quickly pulled the jacket off.

She unfastened her seatbelt and quietly put on the jacket.

The car drove into the most upscale hotel in the residential area. As soon as it stopped outside, a bellhop ran over to open the door.

Phoebe got out and looked up at the luxurious hotel.

She caught a glimpse of Theodore walking toward the hotel. She quickly followed him. As they entered the lobby, they saw Lawton approaching. Lawton's eyes lit up when he saw Phoebe. "Phoebe, you look stunning today!"

Phoebe bashfully scratched her head. Wearing Theodore's suit jacket was a trendy fashion statement that made her legs look long and straight. Standing beside her, Theodore coughed in displeasure.

Lawton immediately looked away and said to Theodore, "Mr. Reynolds, I just found some information that might be useful." "Go upstairs first," Theodore said with a stern face.

Phoebe's foreign appearance was too attention-grabbing. Her long, fair legs had already caught the eyes of many people. Their stares were direct, bold, and passionate, making Theodore very uncomfortable.

Theodore reached out and pulled Phoebe into his arms, shielding her from all the prying eyes.

Being held by him, Phoebe slowly calmed down. She looked up at him but could only see his tense jawline.

In the elevator, Phoebe was about to move out of Theodore's embrace, but as soon as she shifted a bit, he pulled her back.

Her heart was beating wildly, even more so than when she had run for her life earlier. She bit her lip lightly, her eyes involuntarily curving into a smile. Standing behind them, Lawton immediately understood and pretended to be blind, ignoring his boss's possessive behavior.

As the elevator ascended, Phoebe asked, "Lawton, why are you in Starfall City? Is there business here?"

She had asked Theodore earlier, but he still didn't answer her.

Lawton glanced at his boss's tense back and said carefully, "Sort of."

Actually, Lawton and Theodore had arrived in Starfall City a day before Phoebe. They had almost completed their investigation into what had happened to Donovan in Starfall City over the past six months. But judging by the boss's demeanor, he didn't seem inclined to take credit.

"Sort of?" Phoebe asked.

Before Lawton could respond, Theodore spoke first, "Yes, a million-dollar deal."

'Why does that number sound so familiar? It must be a coincidence. Theodore couldn't possibly know about Donovan's trouble and come to Starfall City to find my brother,' she thought.

To Theodore, the Ziegler family was nothing.

Phoebe awkwardly said, "Really? Then why are you near the casino? Don't tell me you gamble. I'm telling you, don't gamble."

Theodore glanced down briefly at her anxious face and quickly looked away. "Do I look that stupid?"

"No, it's just that they cheat. If you're not a regular, you'll be tricked," Phoebe said, worried that he might end up like Donovan. Although Theodore's family had a vast fortune, more would be needed for him to lose.

Theodore said, "I gamble often."

Back when he was in school, he had done all sorts of bad things, including cheating in the casino, and he had never met a match.

Phoebe gasped and laughed dryly. "Alright, you're the best at gambling, but it's not something to be encouraged. We should uphold positive values."

Phoebe couldn't encourage Theodore to gamble. What if he lost everything one day and even gambled her away?