Forbidden Passion
Chapter 532 Theodore's Sweet Talk

Brandon was still stuck in the ICU, with Theodore and Taylor pulling an all-nighter at the hospital. Phoebe, usually a ball of energy, was yawning like crazy after a whole day without sleep. When Phoebe lost count of her yawns, Theodore caught on.

He didn't say a word, just shot a text to Lawton.

Not long after, Lawton showed up outside the ICU. He stood in front of Theodore and gave a nod to the three of them.

Theodore said, "Take Phoebe home to crash."

Phoebe was taken aback and quickly waved her hand. "Nah, I'm good. Not tired. I'll stick around."

"Come on." Theodore's tone was firm. "Dad's in the ICU. If we all burn out, who's gonna take care of him when he gets out?"

Phoebe didn't want to leave but knew Theodore had a point. She looked at Taylor and said, "Taylor, why don't you go home and rest? I'll stay here with Theodore."

Taylor looked worn out. She shook her head. "I'm staying. Not going anywhere till he's out."

In the end, Phoebe left with Lawton. It was drizzling outside, and the gloomy weather made everyone feel even more down.

As soon as Phoebe got in the car, Lawton handed her something from the front seat. She looked closely and saw it was a cup of bubble tea.

Phoebe stared blankly at the bubble tea that had arrived a day late, feeling a bit out of it.

Lawton handed it to her again and said, "Mr. Reynolds asked me to get it."

Phoebe dazedly took it. There was a smiley face sticker on the cup, drawn by the bubble tea shop staff, which looked particularly comforting.

Even though she was exhausted, Phoebe smiled, hesitant to take a sip. Her phone suddenly buzzed. She unlocked it and saw a message from Theodore. Theodore: [Even though this bubble tea isn't the one we waited for yesterday, I hope it still makes you happy and leaves no regrets.]

Phoebe's eyes welled up. She read the message over and over at least ten times before suddenly holding her head and groaning. "Oh no, I'm done for!" Lawton was driving onto the main road. Hearing Phoebe's groan, he asked with a chuckle, "Mrs. Reynolds, what's up?"

She replied, "I'm in big trouble now."

Phoebe felt that even though she hadn't slept all night, her mind was crystal clear because she was clearly watching herself fall.

She was hopelessly in love with him.

Lawton, sensing from Phoebe's tone that it wasn't anything serious, didn't press further. He always knew when to ask and when not to.

Phoebe got back to the Imperial Apartment and fed Ollie. She took the bubble tea to her room. The tea had already cooled, and Phoebe knew that if she didn't drink it today, it would go bad by tomorrow. Phoebe hesitated for a long time between drinking it or not. She took out her phone, snapped a photo, and saved it permanently in her album.

After taking the photo, Phoebe inserted the straw and took a sip, feeling the doubled sweetness warm her heart.

Just as Phoebe was about to take a second sip, the doorbell rang.

Phoebe picked up the bubble tea and walked out of the bedroom to open the door. Evelyn stood outside, holding a large bag of brewed medicine.

Seeing Phoebe holding the bubble tea, Evelyn frowned. "Why are you drinking bubble tea? The doc said it's bad for your health. Hand it over; don't drink it." Phoebe looked at the time. "Why didn't you call before coming? What if we weren't home?"

"Theodore gave me the house code. If you weren't home, I would have let myself in." Evelyn said as she reached for the bubble tea in Phoebe's hand. Phoebe reached out to grab it back, but Evelyn handed her a bag of medicine instead. "Drink this. It's good for you."

Phoebe whined, "Mom!"

Evelyn took the bubble tea, not caring that Phoebe had already sipped from it. She took a sip through the straw and said, "Tastes good, but way too sweet." Phoebe was speechless.

She remembered how she had pouted to Theodore yesterday, saying she would only take one sip. In the end, she really only took one sip. She shouldn't have said that.

Evelyn asked, "Phoebe, does this medicine work? Should you go to the hospital for a check-up?"

Since coming back from Arotic Village, Phoebe hadn't had her period. She calculated the time and said, "I'm just trying it out, but going to the hospital for a check-up, won't that just make me feel even more anxious?" Evelyn continued, "You're feeling sad now, but what were you doing three years ago? If you had taken it seriously then, the kid might be walking by now."

"Stop!" Phoebe quickly surrendered. She took the medicine to the kitchen, afraid Evelyn would keep nagging.

Evelyn drank more than half of the bubble tea in one go, despite its sweetness. No wonder young people liked it; it did taste pretty good.

Evelyn followed Phoebe into the kitchen and saw her heating the medicine in the microwave. Evelyn leaned against the counter and asked, "Everyone knows about Brandon and Taylor's divorce. How are they now?" Phoebe glanced at Evelyn, who looked full of gossip, and said, "Marriages in wealthy families involve too many interests. It's not that easy to divorce."

Evelyn asked curiously, "So the mistress really has an illegitimate kid? It seems he's even older than Theodore. Will he fight Theodore for the inheritance?"

Phoebe took the medicine out of the microwave, bit open a corner, and took a sip. The sweetness in her mouth was immediately overwhelmed by bitterness, and she almost spat it out. Phoebe complained, "Why is it so bitter?"

"Haven't you drunk it many times? Are you still not used to the taste?" Evelyn looked at the medicine in Phoebe's hand and then at the bubble tea in her own. The colors were similar, but hers tasted much better. Phoebe's face scrunched up from the bitterness. She said, "No one can get used to the taste of medicine. Are you free later? If so, can you cook a meal for me to take to the hospital?"

"Hospital?" Evelyn was immediately interested. "Who's in the hospital?"

Phoebe knew she couldn't hide it from Evelyn, so she told her about Brandon's brain hemorrhage last night. Evelyn got anxious. "Why didn't you say so earlier? Brandon is in the hospital; I should at least visit him." "You can come with me later, but his illness must be kept secret. You can't tell anyone," Phoebe said.

Evelyn was about to take out her phone to share the gossip but stopped, looking awkward. "I know. The company's stock price would be affected if the chairman's illness got out."

Phoebe looked at Evelyn worriedly. "I stayed up all night trying to keep this news under wraps. Don't let my efforts go to waste."

Evelyn replied, "I know. You haven't slept all night. Get some rest. I'll go to the supermarket to buy some groceries and call you when the meal is ready. Go on."

Evelyn waved Phoebe away. As Phoebe left the kitchen, Evelyn secretly took out her phone, but Phoebe's voice suddenly came from behind. "Mom, remember, you can't tell anyone about this."