Forbidden Passion
Chapter 56 What About Our Child?

Desire lingers in a man's eyes, making Phoebe nervously retreat.

"I haven't finished my work."

Theodore frowned slightly, looking at the neatly organized documents on the desk and spoke softly. Phoebe couldn't quite figure out Theodore's thoughts, so she pointed to the pile of files next to her that she hadn't rushed to look at and said, "There are these ones too."

Theodore glanced over and saw that the pile of files amounted to five or six sheets. He tightened his thin lips and said, "Take a look."

Saying that, he walked over to the sofa and sat down, as if indicating that he would wait for her, to finish reading the files, before leaving together. Phoebe felt uneasy. What was Theodore thinking? She genuinely became afraid of him.

"You..." she started to say one word but then saw Theodore looking up at her. Under the Lamplight, his eyes were cold and deep. Her heart jumped. "If you're busy, you can go ahead and leave, no need to wait for me."

"I'm not busy," Theodore leaned back on the sofa and took out his phone to play a game.

He left the sound effects on, and as Phoebe sat back at her desk, pretending to read a document, occasionally the sound of thunder from the game would reach her ears.

Theodore was a black hole when it came to games. With an IQ of 180, he was always spot-on at Minesweeper, never disappointing her. And who would have thought that a dignified CEO would play the most childish game, Minesweeper? Yet he was still obsessed with it.

Another explosion of thunder, Phoebe put down the document in her hand, packed her phone and car keys into her tote bag, and walked over to the sofa.

"Let's go."

Theodore was fully engrossed in the game when suddenly he heard her voice. He pressed his finger down and there was a "boom", another explosion.

Unable to suppress her laughter, Phoebe giggled. Theodore stood up, with his phone in his hand, looking a bit dazed as he gazed at the smile on her face. "You look so beautiful when you smile." Phoebe's smile faded slightly as she quickly glanced at him. "I thought you only liked to see me cry."

"Well, you're beautiful when you cry, but even more so when you smile."

The two of them walked side by side out of the office. Theodore casually locked the door for her as they headed towards the elevator, and the office area was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. "Have you been working a lot lately?" Theodore asked.

Phoebe replied, "Not too much."

Her workload now was much less than when she was his secretary, but many things required her independent thinking, taking one step to see three steps ahead, and considering the big picture.

The number of artists under QUEEN Entertainment was gradually increasing, but the resources available were limited. Without resolving the situation of having too many demands and too few resources, it would be difficult for the company to expand.

"If you're tired, hire someone to help you."

"No need," Phoebe quickly refused. She had a stubbornness in her character that didn't want to give up, whether it was in her studies or work. She never slackened. Back then, she had become Theodore's secretary among many interns by relying on her abilities.

Theodore simply glanced at her and said, "QUEEN Entertainment is a place for you to practice. You don't have to carry any burden, and if you don't do well, I won't blame you."

Phoebe lowered her eyelids and looked at the elongated shadows on the ground under the lamplight. "You've given QUEEN Entertainment to me as a training ground. I won't disappoint you. The company entrusted to me; it is my child. I will do everything in my power to help it grow strong."

Theodore paused and stopped in his tracks. Phoebe turned around and looked at him, puzzled. It might be the dim lights above them, but she felt a sudden coldness in Theodore's expression.

"You treat a company as your own child, but what about our child?" Theodore questioned abruptly.

"I..." Phoebe began to respond.

"Phoebe, you don't have a heart at all." Theodore's eyes turned red as he stared fiercely at her. The memory of the miscarriage and the resentment it brought rushed through his mind like a tidal wave.

Phoebe gave up explaining and let the matter rest. It was like a thorn deeply embedded in Theodore's heart, untouchable. She had misspoke earlier, comparing the company to a child.

"The elevator has arrived," Phoebe said, looking at the doors that opened. She spoke to Theodore.

Theodore closed his eyes briefly and strode into the elevator. Phoebe hesitated for a moment, then followed inside. The atmosphere inside the elevator dropped to freezing levels. Just then, Theodore's phone rang. He took it out and answered, while Phoebe stood beside him, able to clearly hear Vanessa's voice on the other end.

"Theodore, I'm feeling really unwell. Can you come to my place?"

Phoebe held her breath, waiting for Theodore's response. Would he go? Theodore glanced indifferently at the metallic walls of the elevator, reflecting the unfeeling image of the people inside. He felt extremely disappointed and said, "Alright." Upon hearing this single word, Phoebe's heart sank heavily, as if plummeting into an abyss.

After hanging up the call, the elevator reached the first floor.

Theodore uttered a brief, "I'm going out," then walked out of the elevator with long strides. His tall figure quickly disappeared into the night. Phoebe stood outside the elevator, not knowing if it was the cold air conditioning in the lobby, but she felt a chill running through her entire body.

With just one phone call from Vanessa, he would go even in the middle of the night. What would they do together? Would they embrace, kiss, or...? Phoebe's mind was filled with all sorts of chaotic thoughts, causing her heart to panic. She didn't want him to go, but what position did she have to keep him?

Outside the company gate, Theodore lit a cigarette and stood there, exhaling the smoke. Five minutes passed, but Phoebe didn't come after him. A cold smile curled up at the corner of his lips as he flicked away the cigarette butt and stomped it out with his foot. He walked away in large strides.

Phoebe returned to her empty apartment, exhausted, and collapsed onto the sofa. It wasn't until her stomach growled that she struggled to get up and cooked herself a bowl of noodles.

As she ate, she picked up her phone. For some reason, she clicked on Vanessa's social media profile and saw that she had posted again.

Phoebe's expression brightened, and she immediately tapped into the post. Vanessa's update was simple: "Dearest Mr. Reynolds, I will love you forever." The accompanying picture was cleverly chosen.

On a silhouette seen through the French window, she zoomed in on the photo and saw the two silhouettes seemingly embracing and kissing. Phoebe's stomach churned, the noodles she had just eaten, fermented in her stomach. She covered her mouth and rushed into the bathroom, leaning over the toilet and vomiting.

She vomited so hard that tears flowed freely. She knelt on the ground, hugging the toilet, engulfed in sadness. She hated herself for being too proud. If she cared so much, why couldn't she hold him back and make him not pursue Vanessa?