Forbidden Passion
Chapter 364 Tearing Off the Mask

John stood by the door, watching Phoebe pack her luggage. She looked delicate and beautiful.

Then he noticed a bite mark on her neck.

His eyes filled with pain, and he quickly looked away. He heard Phoebe ask, "John, how did you guys think to check the filming footage?"

John cleared his throat. "We asked the crew. They had a grudge against Miss Fitzroy, saying she was arrogant despite not being famous and acting like she had connections. They said she always messed up her scenes, driving everyone crazy, but thought she was great."

Phoebe glanced at John. "She's only been here for half a month. How did she make everyone hate her so much?"

John said, "Because she's high-profile. I overheard the crew gossiping that Miss Fitzroy claimed to be Mr. Reynolds' fiancée, throwing her weight around. Everyone avoided her." Phoebe frowned slightly.

Vanessa shouldn't make such a rookie mistake. She wasn't keeping a low profile. What was she thinking?

"Wasn't her dream to become a superstar?" Phoebe said.

John replied, "I don't think she's very career-driven. Otherwise, she wouldn't have used such an important performance to scheme against you. During the survival show on the deserted island, only Mr. Reynolds thought she was any good." Seeing Phoebe's stunned look, he quickly added, "Ms. Ziegler, I didn't mean it that way, I..."

Phoebe zipped up her suitcase and said nonchalantly, "It's fine, no need to explain."

John felt regret. Seeing her lift the suitcase, he quickly took it and said, "Ms. Ziegler, let me handle this."

Phoebe let him take the suitcase. She grabbed her bag and left with John.

They went downstairs to the hotel restaurant for breakfast; then she headed to the hospital.

Vanessa was already awake, and the doctor was examining her. Phoebe stood at the door for a while. After the doctor left, she walked in.

When Vanessa saw Phoebe, her eyes couldn't hide her jealousy. "Ms. Ziegler, what brings you here?"

"You had such a big incident. I had to come and see you. By the way, where's your assistant? I haven't seen her around," Phoebe said, sitting down. Phoebe came to visit but didn't even bring any fruit.

Vanessa pursed her lips.

She didn't want Phoebe to know she had a falling out with Ruby. The past half month had been tough on set.

Initially, because she joined the crew suddenly, her acting was either overdone or not up to standard among seasoned actors.

Once Hank got into filming mode, he didn't hold back his criticism. She was scolded to tears several times, and she felt the crew's gaze grow increasingly unfriendly.

One day, Vanessa overheard a minor celebrity mocking her, saying her acting was pretentious. In a fit of anger, she slapped the minor celebrity.

In her rage, Vanessa blurted out that she was Theodore's fiancée and was only there to experience life. Once she had her fill, she would become the president's wife of the Reynolds Group, warning the minor celebrity to behave or face her wrath.

The minor celebrity was stunned by Vanessa's words and started avoiding her. Even during scenes together, the minor celebrity didn't dare to outshine her.

Vanessa felt the perks of power and began acting without restraint on set. No one dared to provoke her, and even Hank treated her politely.

However, while no one openly targeted her, many gossiped about her in private.

Vanessa also realized she was being isolated by the crew, which felt terrible. Unable to bear it any longer, she heard that Phoebe had been spending the past half month with Theodore, and they seemed to be reconciling. Fearing that all her efforts would be in vain, Vanessa decided to stage an accident and put the blame on Phoebe.

Ruby tried to dissuade her, but she wouldn't listen and insisted on going through with it.

Frustrated by Vanessa's stubbornness, Ruby left the set that night. The next day, Vanessa fell from the wire rig, and Ruby hadn't contacted her since.

Vanessa replied, "The Adams family had some matters to handle, so she went back."

Phoebe raised an eyebrow, leaned back in her chair, and coldly stared at Vanessa. "Vanessa, I've always had a question in my mind."

Vanessa frowned. "What question?"

Phoebe asked, "How did you turn your advantages into this?"

Vanessa's face darkened. "Miss Ziegler, did you come here just to mock me?"

"Do I even need to mock you?" Phoebe played with her phone and sneered. "Every resource I arranged for you, you used against me. Do you think you're hurting me?"

Vanessa clenched the blanket. "Phoebe, do you think you can really win in the end?"

"I don't need to win until the end. With your behavior, I don't even need to do anything to you to win. Miss Fitzroy, doesn't that just piss you off?" Phoebe said calmly. Vanessa gritted her teeth and growled, "Phoebe, why didn't you die in Starfall City? I wish I could kill you myself."

Phoebe caused all her suffering.

If Phoebe hadn't seduced Theodore back then, Theodore would have gone to Nyxonia to find her. Phoebe had stolen everything from her!

Phoebe's eyebrows furrowed sharply. She stood up, placed a hand on the bed, and coldly said, "Vanessa, I also wonder why you didn't die from that fall."

Vanessa's gaze shifted behind Phoebe, and she suddenly screamed in terror.

"Phoebe, what are you doing?" Before Phoebe could turn around, a force threw her to the end of the bed, her waist hitting the bed's railing, sending a wave of pain through her. Theodore stood by the bed, comforting Vanessa, "Vanessa, don't be afraid. I'm here. Calm down."

Vanessa sprang towards him, prompting Theodore to intercept her, fearful she might stumble swiftly. Seizing the moment, Vanessa enveloped his neck with her arms, tears cascading down his collar. "Theodore, Theodore, I'm scared." Vanessa cried, clinging to him.

Theodore resisted the urge to push Vanessa away. He glared at Phoebe and coldly demanded, "Phoebe, what did you do to her?"

Phoebe had already stood up. Apart from her pale face, there was no sign of injury. She said, "Whatever I say, you won't believe me, so why ask?"

"Phoebe!" Theodore was angry.

Phoebe stared at Theodore, watching him hold Vanessa. She let out a low, mocking laugh and said, "I was too naive. How could I not see through this?"