Forbidden Passion
Chapter 576 Do You Have Any Shame Left?

The sobbing in his arms finally started to chill out. Theodore gently lifted Phoebe's face, noticing her eyes all puffy from crying. He leaned in and kissed away the tears at the corners of her eyes. At the garden entrance, someone was sneaking a peek, probably drawn by the noise.

A shadow flickered, and Theodore pulled back from Phoebe's face. He turned to see Riley standing at the entrance.

"Theodore, is Phoebe crying?" Riley asked.

The whole family knew about Donovan's sudden death, leaving Riley deep in thought about how fragile life is.

No wonder young folks these days were always yelling about living in the moment. You never knew if tomorrow or an accident would come first.

Theodore knew Phoebe was in no shape to deal with the family dinner. Going in would just mean fake smiles, and he couldn't stand to see her like that.

"Riley, tell my mom I'm taking Phoebe home," Theodore said.

Riley got it. Watching Theodore carry Phoebe out of the garden, she said, "Okay, I'll let Mrs. Taylor Reynolds know. They'll understand."

Theodore carried Phoebe toward the parking lot. After a few steps, car headlights lit up the path, stopping in front of the fountain.

The car door opened, and a man and a woman stepped out. The guy was using a cane. Who else but Bishop?

Theodore froze, staring hard at Marlowe and Bishop, his muscles tensing. Phoebe sensed his unease and looked up, squinting at the two. Phoebe's eyes were still misty from crying. It wasn't until they got closer that she recognized Marlowe and Bishop.

Phoebe's heart tightened. What were they doing here?

Theodore shot a cold look at Marlowe and Bishop, his voice sharp, "This isn't your place. Riley, show them out." Marlowe was scared of Theodore. She glanced away and leaned closer to Bishop, clearly looking for some security.

Bishop, leaning on his cane, was about the same height as Theodore but lacked his imposing presence. Still, he straightened up and said, "I heard Grace was returning to the Reynolds family today. Couldn't think of a great gift, so I'll just give her a brother."

"Do you even have any shame left?" Theodore snapped. He looked at Bishop in disbelief. Brandon had never mentioned anything about accepting Bishop back into the family, yet here Bishop was, crashing the party. "How am I shameless?" Bishop replied, unfazed. "Phoebe, don't you agree?"

Phoebe could feel Theodore's anger. She struggled to get out of his arms, and as soon as her feet hit the ground, she heard chaotic footsteps behind her.

Phoebe turned to see Sarah, Brandon, Taylor, and Christopher coming out of the villa. Seeing the uninvited Bishop, their expressions varied.

Grace was at the back of the group, still clueless about what was going on.

Brandon, supported by Taylor, walked down the steps to Theodore and the others. He looked at Marlowe and Bishop, "Who let you in here?"

Marlowe, who had been hiding behind Bishop, stepped forward when she saw Brandon. Facing the group, they seemed outnumbered and vulnerable. "Brandon," Marlowe said, looking all hurt and stuff.

Brandon had promised to bring Bishop into the Reynolds family and give him shares in the Reynolds Group. But after getting sick, he totally ghosted them, treating Marlowe and Bishop like they didn't exist. Brandon shot a look of pure annoyance at Marlowe and Bishop. "Who let them in? Get them out of here. I don't want to see their faces."

The butler stepped up right away and said, all formal, "Ms. Black, Mr. Bishop Reynolds, you're not welcome here. Please leave."

Bishop, always the sensitive type, turned pale at being publicly kicked out by Brandon. "We're not outsiders. Grace got recognized by the Reynolds family. How could we not come to congratulate her?" Grace, hearing her name, shrank back, scared of getting dragged into the mess.

"We don't need you here. Leave now," Brandon said, waving his hand like he was swatting away flies.

Bishop gripped his cane, his eyes darkening. He sneered, "Dad, I'm still your son. It's pretty heartless of you to kick us out like this."

"That's nonsense," Christopher rushed up, grabbing Bishop by the collar. "Last time, you almost gave my dad a stroke. I haven't even dealt with you for that, and now you have the nerve to show up here." Bishop sneered, "You're good at shifting blame. Wasn't it Taylor who provoked Dad into having a stroke?"

"Bishop, shut your filthy mouth," Christopher roared, punching Bishop in the face. Bishop dropped his cane, and the two started wrestling.

Sarah, furious, shouted, "Call security. Marlowe, you took my money back then and swore never to show your face to Brandon again. What are you doing here now?"

Marlowe, feeling intimidated by Sarah, her eyes filled with fear, said, "I had no choice back then. Brandon, do you deny our ten years together?"

Christopher and Bishop rolled on the ground, punching each other. Phoebe watched in horror, wanting to step in but was held back by Theodore.

Madison rushed out, shouting, "Stop fighting."

"Stop it, all of you," Sarah cried, seeing Christopher injured, her heart aching.

Security quickly arrived, restraining Christopher and Bishop and separating them. Christopher, still unwilling to let go, kicked Bishop.

Bishop's meticulously groomed hair was now a mess. His eyes were filled with hatred and malice as he lunged at Christopher, only to be stopped by the quick-acting security. Theodore's expression turned icy, his voice cold and contemptuous, "Had enough? Now, get out."

Security immediately began dragging Bishop towards the gate. Marlowe's eyes welled up with tears. She hadn't expected Brandon to just stand there and watch them get humiliated. She was pushed and shoved by security, her heart aching like it was being cut by a knife.

Grace stood nearby, not daring to breathe, watching Marlowe and Bishop get dragged out. She quietly moved next to Phoebe, gripping her hand tight.

Feeling her hand being held, Phoebe looked back, following the hand to Grace's anxious face.

She reached out and patted Grace reassuringly, "It's okay, don't be scared."

Grace looked up at Marlowe and Bishop being pushed out by security, meeting Bishop's fierce gaze. She shuddered, "Phoebe, they..."

"It's okay, let's go inside," Phoebe interrupted, pulling her towards the villa.