Forbidden Passion
Chapter 491 She Doesn't Care About Everything He Gives Her

The recent buzz surrounding the Reynolds family's hidden child had taken everyone by storm, yet despite all the talk, no one had laid eyes on the mysterious offspring until today.

Bishop looked a lot like Theodore and Christopher, especially his eyes, which were a dead ringer for Brandon's. He got all the best features from the family.

People started whispering and gossiping.

Theodore clenched his fists, stepped forward, and leaned down a bit to say to Bishop, "Today's a big deal, don't screw it up."

Bishop looked up at Theodore's sharp, handsome face and sneered, "Theodore, on such a big day, looks like your wife's a no-show, huh?"

Theodore's heart tightened, and he glared at Bishop with cold, murderous eyes. "None of your business," he retorted.

"I really feel sorry for you. Heard you were gonna introduce her to everyone tonight, but seems like she's not into it. I mean, who'd wanna stay with a guy who once forced her?" Bishop's words hit Theodore right where it hurt. Theodore grabbed Bishop by the neck, his face twisted with rage. "Bishop, you're asking for it!"

Christopher noticed Bishop's deliberate attempts to provoke Theodore. Typically unflappable, Theodore's composure seemed to waver in the face of Bishop's words.

Reacting swiftly, Christopher grasped Theodore's wrist. "Theodore, everyone's watching, let go."

Theodore stared at Bishop like a beast ready to pounce, wanting to tear him apart. "Phoebe is my wife, and that's never gonna change."

After that, Theodore let go of Bishop's neck and yelled, "Security, get these two outta here!"

Bishop looked at Theodore's cold back and sneered, "Theodore, you're pathetic. Even if you have everything, you'll never win the heart of the woman you love the most."

Theodore turned around, seeing Bishop's mocking face, feeling his blood boil. "What did you do to her?" he interrogated.

Bishop leaned back in his chair, watching Theodore lose it. "Relax, no one's holding her back. If she wanted to be here, she would be. The fact that she's not means she doesn't want to be."

Theodore bent down, his eyes red with anger. "Bishop, if you think you can mess with us like this, you're dead wrong. Security, get them out!"

A bunch of security guards rushed over and started escorting Bishop and Marlowe out.

Marlowe's expression darkened with anger as she fixed a searing gaze on Brandon. "Brandon, you just gonna stand there and let him push us around?"

Brandon's face darkened too. He glanced at Taylor standing next to him, stayed silent, and watched as Marlowe and Bishop were escorted out.

This party was doomed to end in a mess. Before ten o'clock, guests found excuses to leave, and the big banquet hall was left with just the five members of the Reynolds family. Theodore yanked at his tie, still fuming, and glared at Brandon. "Dad, how did they get in?"

Brandon replied, "I had no idea."

Lately, because of Bishop's injury, Brandon and Marlowe had been fighting whenever they met, and eventually, Brandon just stopped seeing them. Marlowe and Bishop showing up at the banquet today was a total surprise.

Madison stayed by Taylor's side. Even though they knew about Marlowe and Bishop, seeing them crash the party still made her mad.

Taylor looked up at Brandon. "You promised me they wouldn't show up. Brandon, you broke your word."

Brandon's eyelid twitched. He quickly walked over to Taylor, grabbed her hand, and said, "Taylor, I swear, I have no clue how they got in." Taylor pulled her hand away, not even looking at Brandon anymore, and said to Madison, "Madison, take me home."

Madison glanced at Brandon and then helped Taylor leave the banquet hall.

Brandon hurriedly chased after them, leaving only Theodore and Christopher in the banquet hall. Theodore, though, didn't rush to leave.

Theodore walked over to the steps and sat down, looking cool but clearly bummed out. He rested one hand on his bent knee, turning the ring on his finger.

Seeing Theodore's expression, Christopher didn't dare leave him alone. He walked over and sat down next to Theodore.

Christopher tried to comfort him, "Theodore, don't listen to what Bishop said. He's just trying to mess things up between you and Phoebe."

Theodore kept turning the ring, his face dark. "Christopher, do you know why Mom threw this party?"

Christopher was taken aback. "Isn't it 'cause things have been too gloomy at home lately, and Mom wanted to cheer everyone up with a party?"

Theodore smiled wryly, looking down at the ring on his finger. "That's part of it, but this party had another meaning for Phoebe and me. I wanted everyone to know she's my wife. She knew how important this was, yet she didn't come." Christopher heard the bitterness and disappointment in Theodore's voice and quickly said, "Maybe something came up for Phoebe. She might already be on her way."

"She won't come." Theodore closed his eyes and gave a bleak smile.

Theodore smiled bitterly in his heart and thought, 'Phoebe wouldn't come, no matter the reason. She didn't care about the party, didn't care about what I wanted to give her, and didn't care about my feelings.' Seeing Theodore's expression, Christopher felt an inexplicable urge to cry. "Theodore, if you're feeling bad, just shout it out. There's no one here; I won't laugh at you."

Theodore patted his shoulder. "Christopher, you should go. Let me be alone for a while."

Christopher grasped the depth of Theodore's hopes for Phoebe's arrival, despite his outward resolve that she wouldn't show up. Recognizing Theodore's need for solace in her presence, Christopher rose from his seat. "Alright, I'll go settle the bill. You should head back soon too. Merry Christmas, Theodore!" Christopher stated, masking his concern for Theodore's unspoken desires. Theodore waved him off.

Christopher left, looking back every few steps. He had never been in love and didn't know the pain of it, but seeing someone as proud as Theodore suffer so much for love, he had no desire to fall in love.

He thought, 'Isn't focusing on a career more fulfilling? Why find someone to hurt myself?'

Theodore sat there motionless. After a while, a waiter came in to clean up and was startled to see a dark figure sitting there.

Theodore's eyes were cold and violent. "Get out. Don't come in without my permission!"

The waiter quickly retreated, standing at the door, not daring to enter.

Theodore kept turning the ring on his finger. He had never felt time pass so slowly. Every minute and second of waiting felt interminable.