Forbidden Passion
Chapter 544 I'm Very Tired

Theodore gave her a long, hard look and finally said, "Phoebe, why you in such a rush?"

"In a rush?" Phoebe shot back, eyes locked on Theodore. "If I hadn't driven by last night, she'd be dead in that alley. Have you even checked on the accident since it happened?" Seeing Phoebe all worked up, Theodore grabbed her wrist and yanked her into the emergency stairwell, slamming the door behind them.

He pinned her against the wall, "Why you so worked up?"

Phoebe scoffed, "Theodore, your own sister almost died, and you're acting all chill. You wanna know why I'm worked up? I should be asking you why you're so cold-blooded." "Phoebe!"

She wasn't scared of him. She squared her shoulders and said, "I called the cops this morning to report a hit-and-run. When they showed up, guess what they found?" Theodore just pressed his lips together, staying quiet.

Phoebe went on, "The scene was spotless, and the surveillance cameras? Oh, they were 'under maintenance.' How convenient, right?"

"Phoebe!" Theodore growled, "What are you getting at?"

"What am I getting at?" Phoebe sneered, "A regular hit-and-run driver wouldn't come back to clean up and mess with the cameras." Theodore stared her down, "What are you trying to say?"

"Mr. Reynolds, you're so smart. Don't you get it?" Phoebe smirked, "But I can't say anything. No proof, just empty words."

She tried to leave, but Theodore pulled her back, pinning her against the wall again.

The stairwell was freezing. Phoebe's back hit the wall, making her wince. Anger flared up inside her.

Phoebe yelled, "People like us, with no power, can't even speak up. If I say something you don't like, you can hit or scold me all you want." Theodore was fuming, "Phoebe, be reasonable. So much has happened. Even Madison was switched at birth. Can't you give us some time?"

Phoebe shot back, "To you, I'm just being unreasonable. But Grace almost died. As her brother, shouldn't you find out who did it?"

Seeing Phoebe almost jumping with agitation, Theodore pinched the bridge of his nose, "I'm exhausted. Please, just calm down and stop making a scene."

Phoebe felt like a balloon losing air, but thinking about Grace still made her sad.

Phoebe said, "Do you know what Mason said when I went upstairs to get his signature for the surgery consent form last night? He said the family's money should be saved for Alva's surgery, and there was no money for Grace's treatment. They raised her for twenty years, and now they just disown her. I really feel bad for Grace."

Theodore lowered his arm and looked down at Phoebe, promising, "Once we bring Grace back to the Reynolds family, we will make it up to her."

Phoebe stared blankly at Theodore. Did he think she was saying all this just to get them to compensate Grace? No!

She wanted Theodore to seek justice for Grace.

But seeing Theodore's current attitude, he just wanted to keep the peace.

Phoebe couldn't describe how she felt. It was a mix of heartache, whether for Grace or for herself, she couldn't tell.

"Ever heard the saying, 'Every deed leaves a trace'? Even if those traces don't show up right away, the guilty will always have that on their conscience-assuming they even have one."

Phoebe's words lit a fire under Theodore. He glared at her, teeth clenched, "So what do you want? To tear this family apart before you're happy?"

Phoebe's eyes widened. "Is that really what you think of me?"

Theodore regretted his words the second they left his mouth. He knew Phoebe wasn't wrong. The problem was his own messed-up emotions.

He softened his tone, "We're both too worked up to keep this going. You've been up all night. I'll have Lawton take you home to rest. I'll get a nurse for Grace."

Phoebe didn't say a word, just opened the stairwell door and walked out without looking back.

As the door clicked shut, Theodore leaned against the wall, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one up.

Smoke curled from his lips, his expression turning icy. He made a call, "Lawton, I need you to look into something for me."

Phoebe didn't leave the hospital; she headed straight to Grace's room. Grace was out cold, exhausted. Phoebe pulled up a chair and sat by the bed.

Until Grace was officially recognized by the Reynolds family, Phoebe couldn't bring herself to leave her alone in the hospital.

The blood at the accident scene was cleaned up, and the surveillance cameras were conveniently "under maintenance." It all smelled fishy to Phoebe. She looked at Grace lying there. Did Grace see who hit her?

What would Grace do?

Phoebe closed her eyes. She hadn't slept all night, and her eyes hurt, her temples throbbing with pain.

She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes to rest.

Madison found out in the middle of the night that Phoebe had taken Grace to the hospital and that Grace was saved. The news that Grace was still alive made her breathe a sigh of relief. She hadn't meant to hit Grace; it was just a momentary lapse in judgment.

But Grace being alive was a ticking time bomb.

When Grace was hit and thrown, their eyes met for a second. Madison was sure Grace had seen her. Would Grace tell Theodore that she was the one who hit her?

The more Madison thought about it, the more scared she got. The more scared she was, the more restless she felt. Why hadn't she gotten out of the car to check if Grace was dead? Madison got out of bed and hurried downstairs.

Riley happened to come out of the kitchen and saw Madison in a rush. "Madison, heading to the hospital? I'm taking food to Mrs. Reynolds and the others. Can you give me a ride?" Madison had no choice but to take Riley along.

She sped through red lights and overtook cars on the way to the hospital, leaving Riley clutching her chest in fear. By the time they arrived, Riley was practically trembling as she stepped out of the car. Madison parked the car and rushed to the hospital front desk to ask about Grace's room. The nurse was wary.

"Who are you to her?"

"I am her colleague at the company. I heard she was in an accident and came to see her. Is she awake?" Madison asked nervously.

The nurse said, "She woke up once this morning. She should be asleep now. She's in room 408."

Madison thanked the nurse and took the elevator upstairs. Outside room 408, she instinctively looked around to see if there were any cameras.