Forbidden Passion
Chapter 416 She Won't Let Her Off Easily

Phoebe laughed. "Noah and Claire are our company's artists. I don't need to blacklist them by terminating their contracts. I want to set them free. Is that okay?" 'Vanessa wants a free ride. Dream on!' Phoebe thought.

Lloyd looked at Phoebe, shocked. "Ms. Ziegler, I don't get it. If we terminate their contracts, we owe a hefty fee. Noah and Claire are our top earners."

"It doesn't matter. The company will cover it. How do you want to handle it?" Phoebe asked calmly.

John eyed Phoebe, sensing something was up. "Ms. Ziegler, did something happen?"

Despite her heavy makeup, Phoebe's exhaustion was clear. There had to be a reason for her sudden actions.

"Don't ask. I have my plans," Phoebe said.

John and Lloyd exchanged glances, both in disbelief. Queen Entertainment had gained fame thanks to Noah and Claire, and now many artists wanted to sign with them. Phoebe was almost self-destructively letting Noah and Claire go. This was highly unusual.

Lloyd said, "But how do we explain this to the head office?"

He meant the Reynolds Group.

Phoebe chuckled and stared sharply at Lloyd. "Lloyd, you know I'm still in charge of Queen Entertainment, right?"

Lloyd was taken aback. "I just don't get why you're doing this. Any company with valuable artists would try to extend their contracts. I've never seen anyone do the opposite." Phoebe replied, "Well, today you'll see something new."

Lloyd was speechless.

He thought, 'Phoebe must be crazy!'

Phoebe leaned back in her chair, her gaze bold and sharp, as if she had been restrained for too long and was finally unleashing her true nature.

"Send the termination letters to Noah and Claire. I'll handle the follow-up," Phoebe said.

Lloyd knew further persuasion was pointless. Phoebe had always been smart and wise, as shown by her success with Noah and Claire.

Phoebe was not only smart but also had a keen eye. Yet, she seemed to be losing her mind after her success. Letting the artists go now was simply a joke. But what could Lloyd say?

Phoebe had her own ideas, and he just had to follow them.

"Also, this matter stays between us and the involved parties until the termination is finalized. Otherwise, you know the consequences," Phoebe said. Lloyd was silent.

He wondered, 'Phoebe, always so by-the-book, is now taking such a big risk.'

Lloyd replied, "I understand."

Phoebe looked at John and said, "Where's the confidential agreement I asked you to bring? Show it to Lloyd."

John quickly took out two copies of the confidential agreement from his briefcase and placed them in front of Lloyd. After reading the contents, Lloyd's expression was indescribable. Lloyd was stunned. "Ms. Ziegler."

Phoebe smiled and said, "Lloyd, it's not that I don't trust you, but this matter has far-reaching implications. We all need to be a bit more cautious. Sign it, and we'll all feel more at ease." Lloyd was once again speechless.

He had dealt with legal matters for half his life, but this was the first time Phoebe had left him at a loss. Phoebe's confidential agreement protected the artists' rights entirely, with no regard for the company's interests. John finally got why Phoebe had him print the confidential agreement. She was planning to go down with Queen Entertainment.

Lloyd signed the agreement, and Phoebe smiled. "Lloyd, I really appreciate you. Can I trust you with my divorce case?"

Lloyd was stunned.

Everyone knew Phoebe was Theodore's secret lover. Who would have thought she was actually married, making Vanessa the other woman?

Lloyd left the café in a daze. John looked at Phoebe. "Ms. Ziegler, are you leaving Queen Entertainment?"

Phoebe nodded. "Yes, John. You should start looking for another job."

"Why?" John was puzzled.

Phoebe lowered her eyes, silent for a moment. "You've heard the rumors. Queen Entertainment was a gift from Theodore to Vanessa. I was just managing it for him. But I put my heart into it. I can't let the people I nurtured being ruined by her. So before I leave, I want to make sure they're all taken care of."

"Ms. Ziegler." John looked at Phoebe, heartbroken.

Phoebe looked up, eyes sharp and determined. "She wants Queen Entertainment? Fine, I'll give her a tarnished shell."

How could she let Vanessa off so easily?

John stared in awe. Phoebe was so radiant he didn't dare look her in the eye. "Ms. Ziegler."

Phoebe squinted. "John, talk to Noah and Claire personally. I can't leave Kedora for now. If they have questions, they can call me."

"What about Evan?" John asked.

Phoebe sneered. "Evan is my trump card. If we're going to mess with Vanessa, we might as well go big. I want her to inherit a company burdened with massive debt."

Phoebe thought, 'Vanessa wants my things? She'll learn never to underestimate my capacity for revenge!'

John felt a chill. Looking at Phoebe's ruthless expression, he should've felt fear, but instead, his blood was boiling.

He thought, 'What kind of woman is Phoebe?'

He had always thought Phoebe was gentle, but now he realized she was anything else. She was covered withthorns.

Phoebe returned home, dragging her tired body into the living room. Ollie meowed from the cat house, trying to get her attention.

She walked over, scratched Ollie's fluffy chin through the bars, and Ollie purred.

Phoebe looked at Ollie, filled with guilty. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have adopted you. You would've found a better owner."

Ollie seemed to sense her sadness and kept rubbing its head against her palm, trying to comfort her.

Phoebe broke down, tears rolling down from her cheeks.

She had only adopted Ollie for a few days, butit already knew how to comfort her. Yet, Theodore, who had been with her for over three years, only ever hurt her. People really were worse than animals!

In the hospital smoking area, Theodore held a cigarette. He took a deep drag and slowly exhaled. He raised an eyebrow at Lawton. "Did you say Phoebe submitted her resignation?" Lawton replied, "Yes, HR has already received it."

Theodore squinted dangerously. He hadn't expected Phoebe to react so strongly.

He thought, 'Since she resigned, what's her next move?'