Forbidden Passion
Chapter 413 Heart-Piercing

Vanessa caught Phoebe eyeing the diamond ring on her finger and flaunted it even more.

"Like my ring, Ms. Ziegler? Theodore gave it to me when he picked me up from Lindell Harbor. I love it," Vanessa said.

Phoebe stayed calm, knowing Vanessa fed off her reactions.

"Nice ring, bad choice," Phoebe replied.

Vanessa showed off the ring like a model. "Too bad Theodore never gave you one in your three-year relationship. Even as his wife, he doesn't care about you." Phoebe's face fell. She'd seen the ring online, but in person, it stung more.

How ironic!

The ring that had once been hers was on Vanessa's finger, likely placed there by Theodore himself.

Phoebe leaned in, locking eyes with Vanessa. "It's just a ring. I'm not that petty. He's mine, and so is his property."

Vanessa snapped, "Stop lying. You had a prenup. His property isn't yours."

"True, there was a prenup," Phoebe smirked. "But he never signed it, so it's just a piece of paper."

Phoebe had drafted the prenup, but she didn't want his money. Even so, Theodore never signed it.

Vanessa was stunned. "No way!"

All of marriages between the rich had prenups. Phoebe, a commoner, marrying into wealth without one prenup seemed impossible.

Phoebe sneered, "Looks like Theodore didn't tell you. How sad! You're just a fling."

"You!" Vanessa tried to slap Phoebe but missed. She glared. "Don't get cocky."

Phoebe looked down at her, the pity in her eyes driving Vanessa mad. "Stop looking at me like that."

Phoebe chuckled, hiding her pain. "I pity you. You lost a leg, got a ring, and empty promises. How pathetic!"

Vanessa gripped her wheelchair and laughed darkly. "Who said it's just the ring? Theodore promised me Queen Entertainment. Once I'm out of the hospital, it's mine. Congrats, you'll be working for me." Phoebe's face fell. "What did you say?"

"Theodore loves me. To cheer me up, he gave me Queen Entertainment. You thought it was yours. How does it feel now? Upset?" Vanessa taunted.

Phoebe clenched her fists and headed for the elevator.

Vanessa shouted, "Phoebe, go and confront Theodore."

In the elevator, Phoebe saw her reflection: bloodshot eyes and a tear-streaked face.

Phoebe had known for a while that Queen Entertainment was a gift from Theodore to Vanessa. She was just managing it for him. But over the past six months, she had poured her heart and soul into the company.

Queen Entertainment wasn't just a company to Phoebe anymore; it was her passion project. She was willing to endure anything for it.

Vanessa's triumphant laughter echoed in Phoebe's ears.

Stepping out of the elevator, Phoebe saw Theodore approaching. His tense expression softened when he saw her. He quickly walked over and reached for her wrist. "You took so long to send Evelyn off. I thought you got lost." Phoebe subtly pulled away before he could touch her.

Theodore noticed her sadness and retracted his hand. "Are you tired? Mom just fell asleep. I'll take you back."

Phoebe replied, "No need. I've slept all day. You go back. I'll stay up tonight."

Theodore sensed the distance in her tone. "You stayed up all night last night. I'll have Christopher come over tonight."

Phoebe said, "He's a guy. Some things are inconvenient."

"Then have the nurse stay with him. What he can't do, the nurse can. You come back with me to rest." Theodore reached out again.

Phoebe tried to avoid him, but he anticipated her move and grabbed her hand. "Let's go. You haven't had dinner yet, right? Let's eat out before going back."

Phoebe struggled, but Theodore held on tighter.

Feeling frustrated, Phoebe shook off his hand and said coldly, "Don't touch me!"

Theodore looked shocked. "Phoebe."

Phoebe's eyes were red, almost bleeding. She looked directly at Theodore. "There are rumors that Queen Entertainment is a gift from you to Miss Fitzroy. I never believed it, but she just told me herself. Is it true?" Theodore paused. "Yes, I gave it to her."

"Do you know how much effort I put into this company to make it stand firm in the entertainment industry? You just gave it to her without asking me?" Phoebe's voice was sharp.

Theodore investing five hundred million dollars for Vanessa to make movies was one thing, but giving her Queen Entertainment, which Phoebe had worked so hard to stabilize, was another.

Didn't Theodore realize Vanessa would ruin the company just to destroy Phoebe's hard work?

Seeing Phoebe's heartbroken expression, Theodore felt a subtle imbalance in his heart, even though he had anticipated her reaction.

"It's just a company. I can give it to her if I want," Theodore said.

Phoebe was shocked. "Just a company?"

She couldn't believe those words came from Theodore. He didn't care because the profits from Queen Entertainment were insignificant to him.

But it was her loving work of so many years.

Theodore stared into Phoebe's eyes, feeling extremely bitter.

He thought, 'In Phoebe's heart, my position isn't even as important as a company.'