Forbidden Passion
Chapter 463 Vanessa and Ruby Turn Against Each Other

Vanessa stormed out, leaving Phoebe to follow suit. However, Theodore grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

Phoebe fell back onto the sofa, feeling dizzy. Theodore pressed the back of her head and kissed her hard, with an intensity that seemed to consume them both.

Even though she'd been kissed before, it still felt like the first time. Her whole body buzzed, and her scalp tingled.

She felt Theodore's tongue exploring her mouth, tangy and astringent, wrapping around hers.

The office was dead quiet, just their breathing and the sound of their lips. Lost in the heat of the moment, they were oblivious to the slightly ajar door and the envious gaze that lingered on them. After a while, Theodore finally let go. Phoebe covered her mouth, gasping for breath, her face bright red, eyes dazed.

Theodore pulled out some ointment from his suit pocket. While catching his breath, he squeezed out some cream and applied it to her swollen fingers.

"Your fingers are better than yesterday. Keep using this, and the swelling will go down," he said.

Phoebe looked at the plain ring on Theodore's left hand. "Theodore, aren't you going to scold me?"

"Why would I scold you?" he asked.

"Miss Fitzroy was right. I did scheme against her. I signed the termination agreement with Noah and the others early and pushed them to seek compensation from her," Phoebe said, trying to sound malicious. Theodore replied, "Yeah, I know."

Phoebe was shocked. "When did you find out?"

"When you had John get their signatures. I didn't stop you, so that makes us partners in crime," Theodore said.

Phoebe couldn't believe it. "Why?"

She thought, 'Theodore always looks out for Vanessa. How could he let me scheme against her?'

Theodore chuckled, rubbing the ointment into her fingers. "It's normal to have feelings. If I don't let you vent, you might get sick from holding it in."

"But..." Phoebe started, but didn't finish. She thought, 'Isn't Vanessa your treasure? How can you be okay with me scheming against her? Aren't you worried she'll be heartbroken?'

"Phoebe, this is over," Theodore interrupted. If she hadn't angered him, he wouldn't have handed over Queen Entertainment to Vanessa. It was meant to be Phoebe's gift!

Phoebe just said, "Oh."

Theodore looked at her. Her obedient demeanor was endearing. He felt a surge of emotion and kissed the corner of her lips, which were still moist.

"So sweet," he said.

Phoebe blushed, staring at Theodore, unsure if he was real or just a figment of her imagination.

Vanessa returned to the Queen Entertainment office. This used to be Phoebe's office. After Phoebe was transferred back to the Reynolds Group, Vanessa threw out everything Phoebe had used and redecorated. She swept everything off the desk with a loud crash, startling Ruby, who was passing by outside.

Ruby rushed in and saw Vanessa's twisted face, pausing in surprise.

"Vanessa, what's wrong? What happened?" Ruby asked cautiously.

Vanessa clenched her fists, looking furious. "Damn Phoebe, Theodore's actually protecting her. He's protecting her!"

Ruby's eyes flickered. "They are married now."

"So what?" Vanessa snapped, glaring at Ruby. "If it weren't for Phoebe's shameless bed-climbing and getting pregnant, forcing Theodore to marry her, he never would have!" Ruby glanced at the door. "Vanessa!"

"It's my fault for being too reserved back then. If I had taken the initiative, Phoebe wouldn't have had a chance." Vanessa's mindset was completely twisted.

Ruby felt conflicted. Spending time with Vanessa had shattered her illusions; she realized Vanessa was actually useless.

Vanessa had no ambition and couldn't run a company. Now that the company's operations were paralyzed, Vanessa wasn't thinking about saving it but was focused on competing with Phoebe, which was exhausting. "If Mr. Reynolds had wanted you back then, you wouldn't have gone abroad to provoke him. Face it, Vanessa, Mr. Reynolds has never had any desire for you." Ruby stated harshly as she wanted Vanessa to wake up. Vanessa, already upset from seeing Theodore kiss Phoebe, was further provoked by Ruby's words. Without thinking, she slapped Ruby.

Ruby's ears buzzed, and she was stunned. She covered her burning cheek, looking at Vanessa in shock and sadness. "You hit me?" Vanessa stared blankly at Ruby. "Ruby, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry, I was just too agitated. Please don't be mad."

Ruby gritted her teeth, turned, and ran out of the office, covering her face.

"Ruby, Ruby," Vanessa called, maneuvering her wheelchair to chase her, but Ruby entered the elevator and disappeared.

Vanessa clenched her fists, seeing people peeking from the hallway. Her gaze turned cold. "What are you looking at? If you don't want to get fired, get out." Everyone retracted their heads, leaving Vanessa alone in the hallway. She maneuvered her wheelchair back to the office, thinking, 'Everyone betrayed me!' Ruby rushed out of the company, her vision blurred with tears. She ran straight into Donovan's arms, and he quickly caught her.

Through her tears, Ruby saw who it was and felt even more upset. "Donovan."

Seeing Ruby's red cheek, Donovan lifted her chin and frowned. "Who hit you? Tell me, and I'll hit them back."

Ruby felt both wronged and embarrassed. She grabbed Donovan's hand and turned her face away. "Can you take me away from here? I don't want to stay." Donovan had business upstairs but couldn't bear to see Ruby crying. He helped her to the car, opened the passenger door. "Get in. I'll take you out for some fun." "Thanks." Ruby got in. She watched Donovan close the door, walk around the car, and get in. The car quickly drove away from the Reynolds Group.

Vanessa, sitting in her wheelchair, saw this from the floor-to-ceiling window. She curled her lips in mockery.

No wonder Ruby's attitude had changed. She was messing around with Phoebe's brother Donovan.

Vanessa thought, 'Ruby, you traitor, I won't let you have it easy!'