Forbidden Passion
Chapter 545 I've Put Up with You for a Long Time

The hallway was decked out with three surveillance cameras, covering every angle and leaving no room for shady business.

Madison nudged the door open and crept inside, only to lock eyes with Phoebe, who was already staring her down. Her scalp prickled with shock.

In that split second, Madison freaked out and thought about bolting.

"Madison," Phoebe called out, "since you're here, come in and take a look. Grace is still kicking, so I guess you'll be bummed."

Madison's hands and feet went ice-cold. Her back went rigid as she slowly turned to face Phoebe, forcing a fake smile. "Phoebe, what are you talking about? I don't get it." Phoebe said, "I've been waiting for you to show up."

Madison clenched her fists, feeling guilty as hell. She figured Grace must've spilled something to Phoebe, which explained why Phoebe was acting all weird.

Madison replied, "What do you mean? I heard she was in a car accident, so I came to check on her. Phoebe, you don't think I had something to do with it, do you?"

Phoebe stared her down.

Madison felt both anxious and pissed under her gaze. "Yeah, I don't like her, but I wouldn't run her over with a car. Killing someone is a big deal, and I'm not about to mess up my own future." Phoebe stayed silent, just staring.

Madison got more and more uneasy. She wished she could rip out Phoebe's eyes so she wouldn't have to deal with that icy stare. Frustrated, she said, "I know you hate me, but you don't have to think the worst of me. Besides, if you suspect me, you need proof." Phoebe let out a laugh and looked away.

That laugh totally set Madison off. She stormed in, "What are you laughing at, Phoebe? I'm telling you, I've had enough of you." Phoebe said, "Funny, I've had enough of you too."

Phoebe never got why Madison was so unambitious. The Reynolds family had killer genes. Even Taylor was a top student from a fancy school, yet Madison dropped out of college without even finishing her associate degree. Madison had been living the high life as a rich heiress, but she never achieved anything. She really didn't fit the Reynolds family mold. Now it finally clicked for Phoebe Madison wasn't actually part of the Reynolds family. "You!" Madison was fuming and raised her hand to slap her.

Phoebe was quick and grabbed Madison's wrist. She looked at Madison coldly, "Madison, I always thought you were just a bit spoiled and willful but still had a good heart. I didn't expect you to be so nasty. You dare to mess with someone's life so easily. Is there anything you can't do?"

Madison's pupils constricted abruptly, "What do you mean?"

"If I weren't here and you snuck in, what were you planning to do to Grace? Yank out her oxygen tube?" Phoebe grilled her.

Madison, already feeling guilty, was so rattled by Phoebe's attitude that she couldn't say a word. She shook off Phoebe's hand and stumbled out.

The door closed, and the room went quiet, with only the steady beeping of the machines.

Phoebe slumped in a chair, staring at the sleeping Grace. After that scare, Madison probably wouldn't dare to pull anything again.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a splitting headache.

Madison ran out of the hospital room and hurried upstairs to find Vanessa. "Vanessa, what should I do? Phoebe seems to know I hit Grace."

Vanessa glanced around, making sure no one was eavesdropping, then yanked Madison into the stairwell.

In a hushed tone, she said, "Madison, chill out. I told you to stay away from the hospital for a bit. Why didn't you listen?"

Madison pouted, feeling wronged, "I was freaked out. I heard Grace woke up this morning. She must've told Phoebe I hit her."

"What are you scared of? As long as Grace isn't dead, the truth will come out eventually. They got no proof. Just deny it till the end. You think they'll make you confess?" Vanessa said sternly.

She regretted getting tangled up in this mess. She hadn't expected Madison to be both dumb and nasty. Madison would drag her down sooner or later.

Madison forced herself to calm down, "I get it. I'll deny it till the end."

"Remember what I said. Don't do anything for now. No matter what happens, just cry. The more pitiful, the better. Got it?" Vanessa wished she could drill it into Madison's head, fearing she'd mess up again. "Okay, I'll cry my eyes out."

Vanessa was speechless.

Riley brought food to the ICU. Brandon was awake, and Taylor scooped a bowl of porridge, sitting by the bed to feed him spoon by spoon.

Riley stood by the bed and said, "Mr. Reynolds looks way better today. Mrs. Sarah Reynolds would be so happy to see this."

Taylor said while feeding, "He does look better. After he finishes eating, let's video call Sarah. That way, she can see for herself and won't stress about coming to the hospital. It's a long trip for her, and it's such a hassle." "Okay." Riley stood for a moment and then suddenly asked Taylor, "Mrs. Reynolds, is something up with Madison? She's been acting weird lately, especially today. She ran several red lights on her way here."

Taylor frowned.

Brandon immediately got concerned and pressed his hand to her brow, "Don't frown, or you'll get wrinkles."

Taylor relaxed her brow and said, "Madison came to the hospital. Why didn't she come up?"

Riley replied, "She went to park the car. She should be here soon. By the way, where are Theodore and Phoebe? Aren't they at the hospital? I brought extra food, worried you might not have enough." Taylor paused in feeding, "Phoebe is in room 408 downstairs. Take the food to her. She should eat something."

Riley was momentarily stunned, thinking Phoebe might be unwell and exhausted. She quickly agreed and took another thermos downstairs.

In the room downstairs, Phoebe had just closed her eyes to sleep when the door was forcefully pushed open, the door hitting the wall with a thud.

She woke up instantly, her temples throbbing. She squinted at Mason, who had barged in, and frowned.

She asked, "Mr. Sullivan, ever heard of knocking?"

Mason was never one for manners, especially when it came to his daughter. Why should a father knock before entering his own daughter's hospital room?

Mason walked in and saw Grace with a scrape on her right cheek and a neck brace. She had been startled awake by the noise and, upon opening her eyes, met Mason's gaze.

Mason looked kindly, completely different from the selfish and harsh man he was last night. "Grace, how you feeling now?" he asked softly.

Grace silently turned her head away.

Mason's face darkened. He glanced at Phoebe, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Ms. Ziegler is here," he said. "Don't give me attitude and make a scene in front of others."