Forbidden Passion
Chapter 403 I Am Willing to Be a Vegetarian for Life

In front of the ER, Brandon's usually neat hair was a mess, his shirt untucked, and bloodstains all over it.

Across from him, Theodore's bloodshot eyes were full of hate. A slim figure clung to his waist, and his clenched fist, veins bulging, hung at his side. "Is this your idea of handling it?" Theodore's fist cracked. "Vanessa, let go. I'll kill him!" Phoebe suddenly recognized Vanessa. She wasn't jealous, given the tense situation. Phoebe noticed Vanessa's empty hands, but there was no ring. She smiled bitterly.

No matter how much she tried not to care, it didn't work.

"Theodore, Taylor's still in the ER. Don't do this. If she hears you and Brandon fighting, she won't be at ease," Vanessa pleaded. Theodore's anger surged. Seeing the blood on Brandon made him uneasy.

All that blood was Taylor's. How badly was she hurt?

"How could you be so cruel? She's your wife!" Theodore raged. He knew how much Brandon protected Marlowe and Bishop.

Brandon had taken Taylor home, and dismissed the servants, but Taylor had an accident. Theodore couldn't help but suspect Brandon's motives. Brandon wanted to kill Taylor to make room for Marlowe and Bishop. How could he not see Brandon's ambition and let Taylor go back with him? Brandon frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Theodore asked, "Nonsense? Then why did my mom fall down the stairs? Why is she like this?"

Brandon gritted his teeth. "Taylor was distracted and fell. I did nothing."

"Who are you trying to fool?" Theodore grew more furious, yanking Vanessa's hands off his waist.

In his anger, Theodore didn't realize his strength. Vanessa was flung into the wall and collapsed. Vanessa groaned in pain, lying still for a long time.

Theodore, charging at Brandon, stopped abruptly. He turned to Vanessa's pained expression.

The cast on Vanessa's leg shattered from the impact. Theodore quickly walked over and squatted down.

His hands hovered, afraid to touch her. "Vanessa. Doctor, come quickly!"

Vanessa's face was pale. It took her a while to hear Theodore's voice, as if through water, his anxious tone sounding unreal.

She looked at Theodore's worried face, forced a smile, and struggled to raise her hand.

But Vanessa's hand lost strength halfway up, and Theodore grabbed it.

She said weakly, "I'm fine, Theodore. Don't argue with Brandon. He's probably very upset too."

With that, she passed out.

"Vanessa, Vanessa," Theodore called out, full of regret.

He yelled, "Is the doctor here yet? Doctor, hurry!"

The doctor and nurses arrived quickly. The doctor checked Vanessa briefly and said, "We can move her. Get the stretcher."

A nurse brought the stretcher. Theodore picked up Vanessa, placed her on it, and followed the nurse, pushing it away.

As they passed Phoebe, Theodore paused but said nothing, quickly leaving.

Phoebe stood there, stunned. The situation had flipped so fast. She hadn't processed Theodore and Brandon's argument when she saw Vanessa give her a strange smile. Vanessa's smile made her uneasy, sensing something was up.

She hadn't expected Vanessa to use herself as bait again. Theodore's push might have made her stumble, but Vanessa had deliberately crashed into the wall, even breaking her cast. Phoebe didn't get why Vanessa went to such lengths, but she clearly got what she wanted this time.

Theodore would definitely feel more for Vanessa.

Phoebe wanted to laugh but found it harder than crying.

Compared to Vanessa, she loved herself more than Vanessa did. However, she couldn't use such a tragic method to win Theodore's temporary sympathy.

She believed love couldn't come from sympathy and guilt.

"Aren't you going to check on her?" Brandon's voice came from beside her.

Phoebe looked up and saw Brandon looking suddenly older. She slowly walked over and said, "No need; three people would be too crowded."

"If you had half of Vanessa's tactics, you and Theodore wouldn't be like this today," Brandon frowned disapprovingly.

He had seen everything Vanessa did. Though her actions interrupted his argument with Theodore, Vanessa's ambition was too great.

If Vanessa married into the family, it would bring endless trouble.

Now, Brandon was satisfied with Phoebe's non-competitive nature. It was better this way.

Phoebe lowered her head. It seemed Brandon understood, but Theodore didn't.

Love had blinded Theodore, making him see only what he wanted to see, while everything else was invisible to him.

"How is Taylor?" Phoebe didn't believe Brandon would harm Taylor. He was upright and rigid, and he treated Taylor exceptionally well.

Taylor and Brandon had been together for so many years. Brandon couldn't harm Taylor just because his affair was exposed.

Phoebe believed Theodore didn't truly think so either. He was just too worried about Taylor, speaking without thinking.

Brandon stared at the red light above the operating room and said, "She fell down the stairs, lost a lot of blood, and was unconscious when she got here." Phoebe clenched her fists. "Don't worry. Mom is very lucky. She'll be fine."

Brandon closed his eyes. "If she comes out safely, I'll be a vegetarian for life."