Forbidden Passion
Chapter 500 You Betrayed Me First

Ruby spotted Bishop hobbling out with a cane. Their eyes met, but Ruby, feeling a bit freaked out by Bishop, darted into the bar.

"You useless piece of crap. Took you long enough to get in here. Watching me get bullied gives you a kick, huh?" Vanessa snapped, slapping Ruby hard across the face. Ruby's head snapped to the side, her mind buzzing from the hit.

She balled up her fists but didn't have the guts to hit back. With tears welling up, she shot Vanessa a glare. "Bishop was right; you ain't even worth Phoebe's pinky toe." Vanessa's face twisted in rage, and she raised her hand to slap again, but Ruby caught it just in time. "I can't believe I was so blind back then, thinking you were all sweet and innocent." "Too late for regrets now. Don't forget, I've got dirt on you." Vanessa struggled a bit, and Ruby eventually let go.

Ruby gritted her teeth in anger. "Vanessa, don't push me to the edge where we both go down."

Vanessa rubbed her sore wrist and sneered. "Ruby, you did all the dirty work. How are you gonna take me down with you?"

Ruby yelled, "You!"

Vanessa looked at Ruby with a smug grin. No more pretending to be nice now that the masks were off.

She smiled sweetly at Ruby. "Oh, and let's not forget, you tricked Donovan into thinking Harper was killed by Brandon."

Ruby's face went pale. Vanessa's words brought back all the shady stuff she'd done recently. She closed her eyes, feeling a wave of despair and fear.

Ruby said sadly, "Vanessa, we were friends. How could you do this to me?"

Vanessa picked up the cane, looking at Ruby like she was a traitor. "We were tight, but you messed around with Donovan. Ruby, you stabbed our friendship in the back first. This is your payback!" Ruby trembled violently. One bad move led to another. It was all her fault for not seeing Vanessa's true, devilish nature and thinking she was innocent.

Vanessa fiddled with the cane and said, "As long as you play nice, I won't spill your secrets. You can still be happy with Donovan."

Ruby clenched her fists, stood up straight, and mocked, "Stop pretending, Vanessa. One day, everyone will ditch you."

Vanessa laughed like she'd heard the funniest joke ever. Her laughter got drowned out by the noisy music, leaving only a face full of madness.

"Ditched by everyone?" Vanessa said, "Ain't I already ditched by everyone now?"

Christmas Day flew by. On the last day of the holiday, Evelyn called Theodore, inviting them to dinner at the Golden Apartment.

Brandon and Taylor were still in the middle of a divorce. Phoebe wanted to stay at the estate with Taylor, but Taylor, thinking it was sad for Evelyn to spend the holiday alone, sent them off early. As the car left the estate, Phoebe seemed lost in thought.

Theodore held Phoebe's hand and placed it on his knee, gently stroking her fingers. "What's up? You've seemed off these past few days."

Phoebe was a bit surprised. Even Theodore had noticed her distress. How obvious had she been?

"Nothing, maybe it's just that too much stuff has been happening at home, making me a bit uneasy." Phoebe lowered her head, watching Theodore's fingers entwine with hers, a very intimate gesture. "Maybe you're just too tired. Once things settle down, let's find a secluded island to chill, okay?" Theodore held her hand against his chin, gently rubbing it.

The stubble on Theodore's chin tickled the back of her hand, making it a bit itchy.

Phoebe tried to pull her hand back but couldn't. Theodore pulled it back and kissed it.

Phoebe stared blankly at Theodore. He had been doing these intimate little gestures frequently lately, often leaving her flustered. Phoebe called, "Theodore."

Theodore glanced at her. "What's up?"

Phoebe bit her lip but ultimately couldn't bring herself to ask. If she did, it might just be self-humiliation. Why bother?

"Nothing, just drive faster. Mom wants me to help her with the cooking." Phoebe pulled her hand back.

Theodore smiled leisurely. "As you wish!"

Evelyn had prepared a lot of dishes. When Donovan went to the kitchen to get some water, he saw the counter full of food and frowned in displeasure.

Donovan complained, "Mom, it's just two people coming over. Why did you make so much food? If there's leftovers, you'll make me eat them, and I won't."

"If you don't eat, I will. Now help me see if I should make another fish dish. Phoebe said Theodore likes steamed fish." Evelyn had been busy all morning but didn't feel tired at all. In fact, the busier she was, the more excited she got. This was the first time Theodore had brought Phoebe home to spend Christmas Day with Evelyn. Evelyn was afraid of missing anything and not hosting Theodore well.

Donovan said unhappily, "Why do you care what he likes to eat? He can eat it or not. Stop fussing and go rest for a while."

As Evelyn and Donovan were talking, the doorbell rang. Evelyn's face lit up. "Phoebe and Theodore are here. I'll get the door."

Donovan stood by the counter with his water cup, watching Evelyn happily go to open the door. A surge of anger rose in his heart.

Evelyn was really naive. No wonder she was easily deceived back then, signing the consent form for Harper's death without even finding out the truth.

Outside the kitchen, the three of them exchanged pleasantries. Donovan tightened his grip on the cup and walked out of the kitchen. He leaned against the dining room entrance, glaring at Theodore.

Donovan's look made Phoebe's heart race. She was afraid Theodore would notice something was wrong, so she quickly stood in front of him. "Donovan, you're not going out?"

Donovan gave her a cold look, filled with pain and disappointment. He had shown Phoebe the evidence, yet she was still protecting Theodore.

"Dad's death remains unresolved. Do you think I am in any mood to go out and have fun?" Donovan said.

Evelyn had just put the fruits and gifts they brought in the living room. When she came back, she saw Donovan and Phoebe looking unnatural. She said, "Donovan, what are you and Phoebe whispering about? Why do you both look so strange?"

Phoebe bit her lip. With Theodore present, she couldn't say much. She lowered her voice and warned, "Don't believe everything you hear. We'll talk after dinner."

Evelyn looked at Donovan, then at Phoebe, and said, "You two are so secretive. Theodore, wash up and get ready for dinner. Don't mind them."

Theodore's deep gaze swept over Donovan. Evelyn might not have heard, but he clearly heard Donovan's words, "Dad's death remains unresolved."

Seeing Phoebe's nervous look, Theodore thought, 'Could this be the reason she had been so troubled these past few days?'