Forbidden Passion
Chapter 337 I'll Deal with You Later

The masked man leaned back on the sofa, watching her with interest. "How do you always get away unscathed?"

Phoebe wasn't about to spill her secrets. She smiled brightly. "You'll find out."

The masked man was momentarily taken aback by her smile.

Phoebe switched topics. "I walked along the Strip today, counting casinos. The number shocked me."

The masked man snapped back. "What?"

Phoebe said, "There are over two hundred world-class casinos. About ten are as big as yours. You must compete with them, right?"

The masked man raised an eyebrow, sensing where she was going. "So?"

"So, I visited a few today. They're jealous of your earnings and want to take you down. You can't be so arrogant," Phoebe replied.

The masked man's face darkened. "Phoebe, you're smart, but if you think you can drive a wedge between us, you're underestimating me."

"Alright, Starfall City never lacks clients. Everyone wants to make more money, especially if they find dirt on you. Think they'd want you out of the industry?" Phoebe smiled.

A nearby thug charged over, threatening, "Dare you threaten us? I'll kill you."

The masked man glanced at him, and the thug stepped back.

"My oversight." The masked man chuckled. He had handed her the leverage himself. "What do you want?"

"Release Donovan and wipe out his debt," Phoebe demanded.

The masked man squinted and leaned forward, exuding a strong sense of oppression. "Phoebe, your leverage isn't worth that much."

"So, Donovan is in your hands?" Phoebe stared at the masked man, feeling an inexplicable familiarity.

The masked man gave a sinister smile. "Are you testing me?"

"I went to the slums. They saw Donovan taken by men in black. Weren't they your subordinates?" Phoebe looked at the ruby on the fox mask.

Under the light, the ruby emitted an eerie glow.

She was curious if the person behind the mask was someone she knew. Why else would he need a mask and a fake voice?

"Whether it was or wasn't, there's nothing you can do about it," the masked man said.

Phoebe gritted her teeth. "The Strip's rules say participation is voluntary. If the city knew you were cheating, you'd lose customers. Worse, if you break industry rules and implicate other casinos, they'd want to kill you." "Are you threatening me again?" The masked man's tone was more amused than angry, like indulging a child's tantrum.

Phoebe stared into his eyes. "Are you not afraid, or do you think I can't do it? Maybe I should remind you that I run an entertainment company. I'm very good at manipulating public opinion."

The masked man's smile vanished. "You want to use entertainment industry tactics against me?"

He added, "They're very effective."

Phoebe didn't hold back. "Release Donovan and wipe out his debt, or everyone will suffer heavy losses."

The thug behind the masked man clenched his fists. "Let me teach her a lesson!"

The masked man raised his hand, and the thug reluctantly stepped back, glaring at Phoebe.

It was like he was saying, "Watch your mouth, or I'll snap your neck!"

Phoebe didn't scare and stood up to leave, but the masked man's voice stopped her. "Phoebe, you can't just come and go as you please here."

Bodyguards surged in.

Phoebe saw seven or eight of them and chuckled. "That's overkill."

The masked man waved them off, and they exited. He said, "I never make a losing deal. Donovan is in my hands, but your leverage only gets you one thing. Choose." Phoebe gritted her teeth.

If Donovan was really in his hands, his safety was more important than money.

She turned to speak but heard fighting outside. The bodyguards were kicked back inside.

Phoebe turned to see a dozen bodyguards filing in, followed by a tall, slender figure.

It was Theodore.

Phoebe's heart skipped a beat. 'Why is he here?'

Theodore glanced at her, then fixed his gaze on the masked man. The masked man calmly sized up Theodore. After a moment, Theodore approached Phoebe, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her close. He whispered, "I'll deal with you later."

Theodore sat down with her in his arms, crossing his legs arrogantly. "What my lover wants, there's no either-or." He said such arrogant words so easily.

The masked man looked away from Theodore's hand around Phoebe's waist. "What do you mean?"

Theodore replied, "We're taking Donovan, and we're not paying."

The thug behind the masked man jumped out. "Dare you be so arrogant? Believe it or not, we'll cut you down!"

The bodyguards behind Theodore glared at the thug, tension rising.

The masked man frowned. "You dare to represent me. Stand down!"

The thug was aggrieved. "Yes."

The masked man looked at Theodore coldly. "You can take Donovan for free, but I have a condition. We wager. If you win, you can leave here with Donovan. If I win, Phoebe stays with me one night." Before Phoebe could speak, Theodore kicked over the table, furious. "You're asking for death!"