Forbidden Passion
Chapter 437 Neglected Husband

In the crowd, an old employee scoffed, "You can tell it's a newbie talking. They've been living together forever, right?" "No way!"

"Years ago, someone saw Ms. Ziegler leaving Mr. Reynolds' house. It's no secret. I'm more curious if she is really marrying into a rich family." "Yeah, me too. If she does, she'll be living the high life."

"I'm so jealous."

"Get her looks and talent first before you start envying. Come on, the elevator's here. Do you want this month's perfect attendance bonus or not?"

No one felt like gossiping anymore; they all crammed into the elevator, not wanting to miss out on the bonus.

The elevator reached the top floor, and Lawton was waiting with the secretarial team. As the doors opened and they saw Phoebe, they set off party poppers. With a loud bang, streamers floated down, covering Phoebe and Theodore.

Carol was the first to speak, "Welcome back to the secretarial department, Ms. Ziegler. Let's give her a warm round of applause."

Everyone clapped enthusiastically. Phoebe hadn't expected this and didn't know whether to be serious or laugh.

Phoebe greeted, "Thank you."

Lawton came over with several boxes and said, "Ms. Ziegler, these are gifts from the president's office staff. Please accept them!"

Theodore, covered in streamers, saw everyone had prepared gifts for Phoebe and pretended to be jealous. He remarked, "How come no one prepared anything for me?"

Everyone looked at each other, and Carol, quick-witted, handed him a bouquet of sunflowers she was holding. She said, "Mr. Reynolds, you can hold this bouquet for Ms. Ziegler to balance things out." Theodore pointed at Carol but still took the flowers. He then took the gift boxes from Lawton and said, "Alright, everyone knows each other. No need for all this formality."

The crowd immediately dispersed.

Theodore turned to Phoebe and said with a smile, "Let's go, Ms. Ziegler. I'll show you your office."

Phoebe raised an eyebrow and asked, "I have an office?"

Theodore smiled and walked towards the president's office. Phoebe, skeptical, followed him in and saw a transparent screen partitioning off an office.

The transparent screen was cut into a crystal shape, like a luxurious yet confining transparent cage.

Phoebe asked, "I'll be working here from now on, right?"

Theodore placed the flowers and gifts on the desk, took her hand, and led her behind the desk. He said, "Sit down and feel it."

Phoebe frowned, unsure of Theodore's intentions in placing her office in his.

Was Theodore trying to monitor her closely, not letting her out of his sight for even a second?

Realizing Phoebe hesitated, Theodore pressed her shoulders down onto the office chair. He explained, "This is a custom office chair from a famousPheladelfia designer, made especially for you. Is it comfortable?" The chair was indeed comfortable, but Phoebe didn't understand why Theodore was doing this.

Phoebe looked up at him and finally voiced her doubt, "Why?"

Theodore leaned against the desk and replied, "No reason."

She asked, "Are you trying to tell me I can't escape your grasp by moving my office from the secretarial desk to the president's office?" Theodore squinted, placed one hand on the chair's armrest, and leaned in, exerting a lot of pressure on Phoebe.

He replied, "Yes. So, stay by my side and don't think about going anywhere."

Phoebe sneered, "Mr. Reynolds, if I really wanted to leave, you couldn't stop me."

Theodore, easily provoked, grabbed her chin and warned, "Phoebe, it's your first day back. Don't anger me, or you'll regret it."

Phoebe clenched her fists, thinking, 'A leopard never changes its spots. Just because it's calm for a few days doesn't mean it's a cat.'

She brushed his hand away and said, "I need to work now. Mr. Reynolds, please be professional."

Theodore was speechless.

Both were busy all day. Phoebe was getting reacquainted with her tasks. During her hospital stay, Theodore had fallen behind on a lot of work. He had meetings to attend and executives to talk to. Even though they were in the same office, they didn't see much of each other. Phoebe was glad not to spend the whole day alone with Theodore.

When it was time to leave, Carol had arranged a welcome party for Phoebe. Not wanting to return to the Imperial Apartment so early, Phoebe gladly accepted.

Not long after Phoebe left, Theodore finally managed to break free from his pile of work. Returning to the office, he found Phoebe's desk neatly organized but no sign of her.

He immediately called Lawton in and asked, "Where's Phoebe?"

Lawton was taken aback for a moment, then remembered, "Carol and the others arranged a dinner for Mrs. Reynolds. They probably went to eat together."

"When did this happen? Why didn't I know?" Theodore frowned.

Ever since Phoebe had run away from home, Theodore felt uneasy whenever he couldn't see her. He thought keeping her under his watch would let him know her whereabouts at all times. Unexpectedly, Phoebe was still beyond his control.

Lawton replied, "It's today, Mr. Reynolds. Do you want me to find out where they're dining?"

Theodore pinched the bridge of his nose, recalling Phoebe's mocking look from the morning. If he went after her now, it would make everyone unhappy.

Theodore closed his eyes and refused, "Forget it. She rarely gets to relax. There's no need to find out."

"Okay." Seeing Theodore's obvious displeasure, Lawton cautiously asked, "Mr. Reynolds, do you want me to order some takeout for you?"

As he spoke, Lawton couldn't help but feel sorry for Theodore. Phoebe was out having fun, leaving Theodore alone in the office to eat takeout. The thought of it was quite pitiful.

Theodore couldn't muster any enthusiasm. He waved his hand and refused, "If there's nothing else, you can leave. Don't worry about me." Lawton replied, "Yes, Mr. Reynolds."

After Lawton left, Theodore continued to work on documents alone in the office. He was restless, frequently checking the time on his phone.

At nine o'clock, Theodore couldn't stand it any longer. He grabbed his phone and strode out of the office.

Inside the company, it was warm and cozy. Outside, it was a snowy winter wonderland. Large snowflakes drifted down from the sky. Theodore crossed the street, looking at the lights in the houses, thinking, 'Phoebe might be home by now.' Theodore returned to the apartment, finding it dark inside. Phoebe hadn't come back yet, and his heart felt colder than the snowy world outside.

Theodore walked in. Ollie leaped down from the cat tree, saw him, and quickly jumped back up to the top, baring its teeth.

Theodore was lost for words.

Was he now the neglected husband, even despised by Ollie?

Theodore couldn't find the energy to do anything. He sat on the couch and turned on the TV, which was showing a documentary about elders left behind. Theodore thought, 'Even a lousy documentary dares to mock me. How infuriating!'