Forbidden Passion
Chapter 333 He Came for Her

Feeling guilty from his criticism, Phoebe lowered her head and silently kept eating. After a few bites, she looked up at Lawton and said, "Lawton, have you had dinner? Why don't you join us?" Lawton quickly refused, "No need, Phoebe, I've already eaten."

Phoebe didn't insist and continued eating. Theodore also ate a bit. Just as they finished, John arrived.

Seeing Theodore, John got a lot on his mind. When he noticed Theodore's sharp gaze, he quickly composed himself and recounted what he had found. Lawton also shared what they had discovered, which was similar to John's findings.

Theodore elegantly crossed his legs, looking dignified. Phoebe sat beside him in silence for a long time before asking. "Did my brother get scammed by that girl?"

Before John could speak, Theodore answered, "Yes, she's a professional con artist. The story about her mother being seriously ill was just to deceive Donovan." Phoebe asked, "Has he have any doubts?"

Theodore sneered, "He probably never met a woman like her in his life. He believed everything she said without hesitation and got himself completely involved." Phoebe felt distressed. "He spent over ten million dollars in just three months. What on earth is he thinking?"

"To be precise, he first lost five million dollars. To fill inthat hole, he embezzled another five million from the company, which was taken by the con artist. Donovan is too scared to go back to the corporation and is now bankrupt, so he's hiding," Lawton explained.

Phoebe fell silent.

She probably had never seen a man as foolish as Donovan. How stupid could he be to get scammed out of ten million dollars?

She held her head, her face pale. "I need to calm down for a while."

Theodore looked at her and said, "Money is a small matter. The most important thing now is to find him. If the people from the casino find him first, we'll be in a difficult position."

Phoebe licked her dry lips and said with difficulty, "You don't have to look for him. It's all his fault. He ought to pay the price."

Theodore said, "Don't speak out of anger."

Phoebe's eyes reddened. "I'm not angry but serious. How could he cause such a big mess? What made him think of gambling?"

"There are many people in this world who want to get something for nothing. No one is an exception. Give him an opportunity to taste success, and he'll think he's invincible. Once someone becomes overconfident, he'll do many incomprehensible things. It's not surprising," Theodore analyzed rationally.

Phoebe covered her eyes. Ever since she learned about Donovan's disappearance, her nerves had been on edge. Now, she was on the verge of collapse after knowing most of the details.

It was ten million dollars.

'As stupid as Donovan is, doesn't he have any sense that something is off?' she thought.

The more she thought about it, the more furious she became. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out. "Over ten million dollars. If he had been a bit smarter, he wouldn't have chosen to gamble."

"Phoebe." Theodore gently patted her back. "Everyone harbors some wishful thinking, especially in a place like a casino. It's hard to stay rational."

"Are you still making excuses for him?" Phoebe glared at him with tear-filled eyes, seemingly incredulous.

She was staring at him with red eyes, looking like a cute bunny. Despite the inappropriate timing, Theodore had some improper thoughts.

'I like seeing her cry, especially in bed,' he thought.

He pressed his lips together and looked away, noticing Lawton and John looking at Phoebe. He glared at them warningly until they averted their gazes, and then he was satisfied.

Theodore said, "I'm not making excuses for him but trying to get you to see things more clearly. Problems that money can solve aren't really problems."

Phoebe's tears continued to flow as she sobbed. "It's not you who owes ten million. Do you know how many years it would take a normal person to earn that? I've worked diligently for four years and still can't make that much." Theodore didn't understand the struggles of people experiencing poverty. He had lived an affluent life from birth, starting higher than others.

Lawton and John, who worked for others, understood that Phoebe's sadness came from poverty.

Theodore felt helpless. "You don't have it, but I do."

Phoebe had been waiting for this. She immediately stopped crying and quickly said, "This settles it. You pay the ten million, and I'll loan it. I'll repay you when I make enough money." Seeing her tear-stained face with a hint of a smile, Theodore felt like he had been tricked.

No! It wasn't an illusion. She had actually tricked Theodore. Phoebe had pretended to cry to soften his heart.

But what could he do?

Except in bed, Theodore didn't want to see her cry anywhere else.

Theodore gently poked her forehead and said, "I don't lack money. You don't need to pay me back. You can repay me in other ways."

Phoebe sensed a trap, asking, "What do you want me to repay you with?"

"Let's talk about it later." Theodore's gaze shifted to John. He instructed Lawton, "You and John go to their previous hotel and bring their luggage over."

"Get it." Lawton stood up. Noticing John still staring at Phoebe, he patted John's shoulder. Then the two left the presidential suite together.

After they left, Phoebe asked, "Can we find my brother?"

"As long as he stays in Starfall City, it won't be an issue to find him. Get some sleep and recharge for tomorrow." Theodore pulled her up and led her to the bedroom. Phoebe was forced to follow him. Looking at Theodore's broad back, she suddenly reached out and hugged his waist.

Theodore paused, his eyes more intense. He licked his dry lips and asked, "What's wrong?"

Phoebe laid her face on his back and murmured, "Theodore, thank you for coming to Starfall City."

From their earlier conversation, she knew that Theodore had come to Starfall City because of her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have appeared when those black-clad bodyguards were chasing her. Although Phoebe didn't usually express gratitude, she knew she should say thank you now.

Theodore's back stiffened. "I don't need your thanks."

Phoebe didn't notice his change, sincerely saying, "I was careless before. Luckily, you arrived in time today and saved my life. I really want to thank you."

Theodore raised an eyebrow, grabbed her wrist, and turned to push her against the wall. Under Phoebe's astonished gaze, he leaned down and pressed his lips to her ear.

His hot breath fell on her ear, filled with dissatisfaction and temptation. "Just saying thank you isn't sincere enough. How about showing it with your actions?"