Forbidden Passion
Chapter 335 I Got You

People often said that humans are inherently greedy, and Donovan must just be a case in point. He was once very close to success, but his desire made him want more. That was just the gambler's mindset.

In the end, Donovan lost everything. In half a month, he owed four million dollars, with loan sharks constantly chasing him for repayment. In the depths of despair, he embezzled company funds. On the day Donovan embezzled funds to repay the loan sharks, Darlene found him again. After she apologized profusely, they got drunk at a hotel, ending up in bed together. When he woke up the next day, he found all the money was gone. Darlene had taken it all.

Hounded by loan sharks and unable to return to his company, he called Phoebe, but she didn't answer, so he had to call his mother.

But Evelyn had little money. Although she sold her apartment, she couldn't raise ten million dollars to pay off his debt.

He had to hide first and then find Darlene to get the money back.

However, Darlene seemed to have never existed. Her previous address, her name, and even her sick mother were fake.

He regretted it deeply. The days of constant hiding and evasion filled him with a deep hatred forDarlene. He was utterly dismal, only wanting to find Darlene and die with her. Without that faith, Donovan might have died in some obscure corner long ago.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps ahead. Donovan pricked up his ears to listen. After hiding in the slums for over a week, he had learned to identify people by their footsteps. The approaching footsteps were orderly and definitely not those of homeless people or ordinary slum dwellers.

He saw a trash can nearby and quickly hid behind it as the footsteps got closer.

Through his matted hair, he watched the group.

The group of men wore black suits. They were all strong and fierce-looking, clearly bodyguards hired by the casino.

He quickly buried his head in his arms. The group approached, cursing in a foreign language, probably at having to search the slums for him in the middle of the night. He didn't listen closely. Suddenly, he was kicked hard, almost crying out in pain.

"Have you seen this person?" a man asked.

Donovan squinted at the photo. It was him, wearing a suit and a Rolex watch on his wrist. He was sitting behind a desk, looking every bit the elite.

Donovan stared at it, feeling like it was from a different lifetime. The man lost patience while his companions mocked him.

He spat, threw his half-burned cigarette to the ground, cursed, and left with his companions.

Donovan looked at the cigarette that had fallen beside him. He hadn't smoked in a long time. He had only smoked cigars since he arrived in Starfall City.

With trembling hands, he picked up the cigarette and put it in his mouth. The smoke was harsh, making him cough violently and bringing tears to his eyes. 'How do I end up in such a miserable state?' he thought.

Donovan took one last drag and stubbed the cigarette out in his palm, instantly raising a blister. It hurt, but he needed to remember this pain.

He stood up to leave and bumped into a tall, strong man. Donovan fell to the ground, looking up in horror to see a man flashing a bright smile at him. "I got you!" the man said.

"Don't hurt my brother, I have money!" Phoebe begged.

Phoebe woke up from her dream, a scream stuck in her throat. She sat up abruptly, still in a state of terror.

Theodore was awakened by her voice. He sat up and saw her tear-streaked face, pausing for a moment. "It's okay, you had a nightmare."

Phoebe turned to see Theodore. She quickly grabbed his arm. "I dreamed that Theodore was thrown into the sea by them. Please save him!"

Theodore gently wiped away her tears and said, "Don't cry. I've already sent people to look for him. Starfall City isn't that big, but not small either. If he really wants to hide, it won't be easy to find him right away." Phoebe closed her eyes, tears rolling down. "I don't want to care about him, but he's my brother. I can't just ignore him."

"I know." Theodore hugged her. "If Christopher were in the same situation, even if I wanted to break his legs, I wouldn't allow anyone else to hurt him."

The familiar scent of mint calmed Phoebe down. She wiped away her tears and said, "I'm going out to look for him today."

Theodore pulled her back, asking, "Starfall City is so big. Where will you start?"

"I don't know. I'll start around his company and then check near the casino. Maybe he'll show up around there," Phoebe said.

She had just dreamt of Donovan being caught in the slums. She could try searching there; there was a chance she might come across him.

Most importantly, she needed Donovan to know that she was in Starfall City.

Theodore's face darkened. "Your chances are bleak."

"Even so, I have to try. Donovan's been missing for a week. No one knows what might happen to him."

Theodore stared at her intently. "Phoebe, have you thought about asking me for help?"

Phoebe bit her lip in silence.

Theodore scoffed. He threw off the covers and got out of bed. He strode into the bathroom, slamming the glass door shut. Phoebe watched his reflection in the door and sighed helplessly. He was angry again.

Phoebe went to the living room to wash up and get dressed. She saved the footage from the hidden camera to her phone, planning to negotiate with the casino today.

She left the room without seeing Theodore. She knew how stubborn he could be. As soon as she solved Donovan's problem, she would apologize.

Phoebe called John as soon as she left. John and Lawton had returned with the luggage last night, but Phoebe and Theodore were already asleep at that time. Lawton had put her suitcase in the penthouse suite, and then they went to their room downstairs. John was still groggy when he answered Phoebe's call. Phoebe said, "Get up quietly, and don't wake Lawton. Meet me in the restaurant downstairs."

John immediately woke up. He thought Phoebe would stay at the hotel to wait for news since Theodore had arrived, but it seemed she had other plans. John quickly got ready and went to the restaurant. Phoebe had already ordered breakfast and was sitting by the window.

Phoebe waved at John as she saw him. He quickly walked over, sitting across from her. "Phoebe, you're up early."

"Yes, let's have breakfast first, then I'll explain." Phoebe shared her plan with John.

John stared at her in shock. "Phoebe, you can't go on this dangerous mission alone. It's too risky!"

Phoebe reassured him, "Don't worry. I'm not going to cause trouble. I have leverage over them. They won't dare do anything to me."