Forbidden Passion
Chapter 359 You Are Not Important!

The autumn wind had a chill, lifting the hem of Phoebe's dress. Her clothes fluttered, making her look a bit frail in the autumn scenery.

Hank said, "Mr. Reynolds is the financier. This is our crew's fault, and we won't dodge responsibility. But filming has started, and delays cost money, so forget the equipment and labor. The actors have tight schedules." Phoebe nodded.

Hank, unsure of her reaction, said awkwardly, "Ms. Ziegler, honestly, Miss Fitzroy isn't fit for filming. She hasn't nailed a single scene in the past two weeks, and the other actors are complaining."

"Mr. Black, the first movie I ever watched, was directed by you. I grew up on your films and respected you greatly," Phoebe suddenly interrupted, using a respectful tone.

Hank pressed his lips together, realizing Phoebe's sudden coldness was due to his earlier comments.

Phoebe looked Hank straight in the eye and said, "I've heard you can turn a nobody into a star, Mr. Black. We sent Miss Fitzroy to you, hoping you'd make her popular. Are you saying you can't?" For the first time, Hank felt intimidated by Phoebe's gaze. He said, "That's not what I meant. I just..."

"I get it, Mr. Black. But as long as Miss Fitzroy is here, the investment stays. If she's not, the investment goes," Phoebe said, then walked away briskly.

Hank stood frozen, staring at Phoebe's retreating figure. Her commanding presence matched the female supporting role he was looking for, surprising and delighting him.

If only Phoebe would enter the entertainment industry.

Phoebe asked the nurse where Vanessa was and took the elevator upstairs. Outside the room, David and others stood up to greet her.

Phoebe waved her hand. "David, stay. The rest of you can go back."

David clenched his fist, and the others patted his shoulder before leaving.

Without looking at David, Phoebe pushed the door open and entered. Theodore stood by the window, lost in thought, his back cold and stern.

She walked to the bedside, looking at the still-unconscious Vanessa with a hint of mockery.

They had recently formed an unbreakable bond with the hospital, taking turns lying in it. Her gaze fell on Vanessa's right leg, which was in a cast and suspended.

Even if Vanessa recovered from her internal injuries, her leg wouldn't be ready for filming.

Phoebe turned to look at Theodore by the window, walked over slowly, and stopped two steps behind him. "What did the doctor say?"

Theodore smiled coldly. "Phoebe, Vanessa got hurt. Are you in a hurry to discuss replacing her with Hank?"

Phoebe frowned. "What do you mean?"

Theodore replied, "I invested five hundred million for Vanessa to film. Are you uncomfortable with that? If you were, why didn't you say so earlier instead of sabotaging her behind the scenes?" "Theodore!" Phoebe took a deep breath, glaring at him coldly. "Shut up!"

Enraged, Theodore suddenly grabbed her by the neck and pulled her close. His hot, angry breath sprayed on her face as he growled, "How dare you curse at me? You've got some nerve!" Phoebe tried to push him away but couldn't. Her eyes were icy. "From the moment you heard, you thought I sabotaged her, right?"

She added, "Yes, I told her to be careful and not fall from the wire, but I didn't sabotage her. I'm human, not a beast."

"Phoebe!" Theodore glared at her, furious.

Phoebe sneered. "I've always acted openly. If I wanted to suppress her, I have plenty of ways. I wouldn't stoop so low."

"You!" Theodore was livid.

Phoebe, equally enraged, stared at him. "Why would I want to suppress her? Because of you? Mr. Reynolds, you're not important enough for me to deal with a rival." Theodore's temples throbbed with anger. He tightened his grip, watching her face turn red from lack of oxygen.

He regained his senses and pushed her away. Phoebe, in high heels, stumbled back and fell.

Theodore reached out to help her but then stood there coldly.

A sharp pain shot through her buttocks, numbing her nerves. She heard Theodore, suppressing his anger, say, "Get out!"

Phoebe closed her eyes, holding back tears. She propped herself up, straightened her back, and slowly walked out.

In anger, Theodore punched the glass, shattering it like a spider web.

Outside, Phoebe leaned against the wall, gasping in pain.

David had been waiting outside. Hearing the argument, he didn't dare breathe. Seeing Phoebe pale and leaning against the wall, he cautiously asked, "Ms. Ziegler, are you okay?" Phoebe turned to David. "I'm fine. Don't stay here. Mr. Reynolds is still angry and might take it out on you."

David said, "Ms. Ziegler, I'm also wronged. Miss Fitzroy asked me to loosen the wire a bit, but I didn't dare loosen it too much. That's a wire stunt. If she fell, she could die. I checked it several times before letting her go up." Phoebe leaned against the cold wall, giving a self-mocking smile. "David, that's just your side of the story. We'll wait until Miss Fitzroy wakes up."

She trusted David, but Vanessa was an employee of Queen Entertainment. No matter how they fought internally, they couldn't let outsiders see the joke.

So when Hank said Vanessa was incompetent, even though she knew what kind of person Vanessa was, she still had to defend her in front of Hank. She wasn't advocating for Vanessa, but rather for the reputation of Queen Entertainment.

Dejected, David wanted to say more but kept quiet, waiting for Vanessa to wake up.

Vanessa woke up around eight in the evening, her body covered in tubes. The anesthesia had worn off, and she was in excruciating pain.

This piercing pain told her she was still alive.

She felt both relieved and terrified. If she had known falling from the wire was so terrifying, she wouldn't have dared to do it.

"Vanessa, are you awake?" A familiar voice, like heavenly music, reached her ears. She struggled to open her eyes and saw Theodore's handsome face.

His eyes were full of worry, and Vanessa felt that even falling from the wire was worth it if it brought him to her side.