Forbidden Passion
Chapter 399 Hugging Someone You Like Can Be Powerful

Outside the CEO's office, a crowd had gathered, each person wearing a different expression as they stared at the tightly closed door.

Phoebe stepped out of the elevator and was momentarily taken aback by the crowd. "What's going on here?" she thought.

Carol pulled Phoebe closer and whispered, "Theodore and Brandon are arguing in the office. They even threw things."

Phoebe's heart sank. "What are they fighting about?"

Carol glanced around and lowered her voice even more. "It's about the love child. I heard Brandon locked Miss Reynolds in the office all night and wouldn't let her go home." "Madison was locked up?" Phoebe's eyes widened.

"Yeah," Carol's voice grew even softer. "Miss Reynolds had a big fight with Brandon last night, and then she was confined. This is going to blow up soon." Phoebe clenched her cold fingers.

'With things this bad, there's no hiding it from Taylor. What should I do? If I act like I know nothing, what will Taylor think of me when she finds out?' She couldn't stay on the sidelines anymore.

"Ms. Ziegler, Ms. Ziegler?" Carol tugged on Phoebe's arm, snapping her back to the present. "Carol, I have something to do. I'll head down first."

Phoebe decided to act like she knew nothing. If she were the first to tell Taylor, Taylor wouldn't appreciate it.

Taylor would be embarrassed, and in the end, she might blame Phoebe for ruining her happiness.

Though Phoebe's avoidance seemed cowardly, she didn't want to get involved. As Theodore had said, she was an outsider!

Phoebe walked nervously to the elevator. As the doors opened, she was startled to see Taylor standing inside. Their eyes met.

Phoebe's palms grew clammy as anxiety washed over her.. "What are you doing here?"

Taylor frowned. "Can't I come to the office? Why are you so scared?"

The employees scattered in fear upon seeing Taylor. Soon, only Carol, Lawton, and Daisy were left.

Seeing the elevator door about to close, Taylor blocked it with her bag, causing the doors to reopen. She stepped out. "What's going on? What were they looking at?" Phoebe licked her dry lips and finally managed to speak. "Brandon and Theodore are arguing. I don't know what about it, but it's intense."

Taylor strode over, her high heels clicking sharply on the floor, echoing in the hearts of the four people present.

They exchanged glances and stood up straight. "Hello, Mrs. Reynolds!"

Taylor frowned. "Didn't you say they were arguing inside? Daisy, why didn't you go in and try to mediate?"

Daisy looked at Taylor with a complicated expression. "Mrs. Reynolds, Theodore wouldn't let anyone in. We could only wait outside."

Taylor looked at the closed office door, from which occasional sounds of arguing could be heard. "What are they arguing about? What did Theodore do this time?" Brandon and Theodore last argued this fiercely when Theodore had just taken over the Reynolds Group and sent many shareholders to prison.

No one spoke, but they all thought, 'It's not Theodore, it's Brandon!'

They stayed silent.

Taylor didn't push them. She looked at Phoebe and said, "Phoebe, come in with me. Theodore listens to you."

Phoebe was speechless.

It seemed she couldn't avoid this.

Phoebe stepped forward and took Taylor's arm. "Okay."

They walked to the office door. It wasn't locked, so Phoebe easily pushed it open. Inside, Brandon and Theodore, who had been arguing fiercely, fell silent at the sound of the door opening. They both turned to look. Seeing Taylor, neither Brandon nor Theodore looked pleased.

Brandon's stern expression didn't soften. "What are you doing here?"

Taylor noticed the broken porcelain pieces on the floor and frowned. "I heard you were arguing as soon as I arrived. What's going on? Maybe I can help."

Phoebe's palms were sweaty. Brandon walked over and said, "We'll talk at home. Let's go."

He walked past Phoebe towards the door, paused with his hand on the doorknob, and turned to stare at Phoebe's back. "Phoebe, try to talk some sense into Theodore."

Phoebe was bewildered.

Taylor looked at Theodore in confusion. "Theodore, what are you arguing with Brandon about? Is he interfering with your decisions again?"

Theodore pressed his lips together. Seeing that Taylor was still in the dark, he felt a pang of sympathy. He stepped forward and gently hugged Taylor's shoulders. "Mom, call me if you need anything. I'm always on your side."

Taylor stared blankly ahead, thinking, 'Is this really my son? Since Theodore's sixth birthday, he has never allowed us to hug him, let alone initiate a hug.'

Brandon stood by the door, frowning. After a moment, Theodore released Taylor.

Taylor patted Theodore's shoulder. "It's nothing. Don't worry about me. I'll head home with Brandon."

Theodore replied, "Okay."

After seeing Brandon and Taylor off, Phoebe looked at the mess on the floor. "Stay there. I'll get a broom to clean up the broken pieces."

She turned to leave, but Theodore's deep voice stopped her, "Don't go!"

Phoebe paused, and then Theodore hugged her from behind. His body heat seeped through her thin clothes.

She could even feel Theodore's strong, steady heartbeat against her back, making her whole body tingle slightly.

Phoebe's voice was hoarse. She cleared her throat. "Are you hurt?"

Theodore held her, resting his chin on her head. He didn't speak, sulking like a wronged puppy, silently seeking comfort.

The office door was half-open. After Brandon left, the office area returned to its usual work state. The open door faced the secretary's desk.

Carol looked up and saw Theodore hugging Phoebe. The sight was so sweet it made her teeth ache, so she quickly looked down.

Phoebe had just made eye contact with Carol and felt a bit embarrassed. Afraid other employees might see, she moved with Theodore's tall frame into a blind spot. Phoebe asked, "So, what were you and Brandon arguing about? Was it about Bishop?"

Theodore was silent for a long time before answering irrelevantly, "I heard that when you're emotionally exhausted, hugging someone you like can be powerful."