Forbidden Passion
Chapter 581 He Really Cares About You

The news about Brandon tossing 1% of the shares to Marlowe and Bishop didn't slip past Theodore. When Lawton spilled the beans, Theodore just smirked. "Dad still can't stand to see them suffer, huh?"

Last night, Brandon was all tough on Marlowe and Bishop in front of everyone, but then he turned around and handed them shares to smooth things over. Trying to play both sides, he ended up ticking off everyone. Lawton stood there, not sure what Theodore was thinking, barely daring to breathe.

"How's Mr. Douglas' prep going?" Theodore's eyes were full of anger. After Bishop tried to mess with Phoebe, almost getting her hurt by Jimmy, it was war between him and Bishop.

Later, Bishop nearly got him and Phoebe killed in Starfall City. No way was he letting that slide. For months, Bishop had been trying to snatch up shares of the Reynolds Group. Now, with the 1% Brandon gave him, Bishop had at least 5% of the Reynolds Group's shares, giving him a say in big decisions.

How could Theodore possibly be willing to be held back by him?

Since Bishop was so wild and kept poking the bear, Theodore was gonna make sure Bishop lost everything and got booted out of Kedora, never to be a problem again. Lawton said, "Mr. Douglas said the plan could be shut down anytime."

Theodore tapped his chair arm, eyes dark. "Tell him to wrap it up in a few days."

Lawton couldn't help but enjoy the thought of Bishop's downfall.

Phoebe handed the signed papers to Carol to distribute, only to see her glued to her phone, looking freaked out and excited.

Phoebe asked, "What's got you so worked up?"

Carol, caught red-handed, dropped her phone. Luckily, it didn't break, or she'd be out a new one.

Carol picked up her phone, looking around nervously. Seeing it was just her and Phoebe, she relaxed a bit.

Carol whispered, "Ms. Ziegler, did you hear? Bishop's deal with Venture Capital Firm tanked."

"Tanked?" Phoebe looked shocked.

"Yeah, you know how much Mr. Reynolds was banking on that energy plan. Later, Mr. Douglas and Mr. Reynolds couldn't see eye to eye, so they let Mr. Ziegler handle it. But then..." Carol glanced at Phoebe when she mentioned Donovan. Phoebe kept a straight face. "Go on."

"You know the rest. Just a few days after Mr. Ziegler's accident at sea, Mr. Douglas signed a deal with Bishop's company. Word is, Bishop threw all his money into it, but there was chaos in Stellaria a few days ago, and the company they partnered with took off with the cash. The news came back, and Venture Capital Firm lost everything. Bishop's investment went down the drain, and he's probably losing it." Carol sounded a bit smug.

She worked for the Reynolds Group, and Theodore was her boss, so she naturally took his side.

Phoebe, though, felt something was off. "Bishop signed the deal with Mr. Douglas so fast. Didn't he check out the international scene first?"

"Who knows? Bishop probably thought anything Mr. Reynolds touched turned to gold and was too hungry for success to do his homework," Carol guessed. Phoebe drifted into deep thought.

Logically, Bishop wasn't that careless. He must've done his homework before throwing all his chips in.

Stellaria was a small but energy-rich country, making its government super unstable with everyone eyeing its resources.

Bishop had to have considered these risks before diving in. So why did he go for it anyway?

Phoebe glanced up at the CEO's office. Recent events swirled in her mind, and it hit her-Theodore had been scheming this since he got Donovan into the company.

Theodore had played the long game, sacrificing and ditching whatever he needed to, finally trapping Bishop completely.

"Ms. Ziegler, what's on your mind? You look pale." Carol touched her arm, concerned.

Phoebe snapped back and shook her head. "Nothing. Get these documents to the departments ASAP. I've got work to do."

"Got it." Carol replied.

Watching Phoebe rush into the CEO's office, Carol felt something was off but couldn't put her finger on it. She took the documents downstairs.

Phoebe stormed into the office, locking the door behind her. The click of her high heels was sharp and urgent.

Theodore looked up, seeing Phoebe with a troubled look. He raised an eyebrow and put down his pen. "What's up?"

Phoebe planted her hands on the desk, staring him down, trying to look tough. "I heard Bishop went bankrupt."

Theodore narrowed his eyes. He hadn't planned on hiding this from Phoebe. He nodded. "Yeah. He's pretty much broke." Phoebe's hands slowly balled into fists. "You were using Donovan from the start, weren't you?"

The whole "training" Donovan thing was just a cover to use him as bait, making sure Bishop took the hook.

Theodore leaned back in his chair. "Yep. But he knew everything from the get-go and was aware of the risks."

"You're lying!" Phoebe's voice was full of anger. She didn't buy it. Donovan, who valued his life so much, would've stayed far away if he knew there was danger. No way he agreed to this.

Theodore said, "Phoebe, remember the car accident in Starfall City? After we got back, I had someone look into it. The guy who ran us off the road was Bishop."

Phoebe knew this. That was why Theodore retaliated by breaking Bishop's leg, leaving him needing a cane.

Theodore continued, "After Donovan came back, he somehow found out about you almost getting assaulted at the Toledo Hotel. He wanted to get justice for you, so he decided to team up with me to make Bishop pay." Phoebe staggered a step. "No way, Theodore. You're spinning lies because there's no one left to prove otherwise. I don't believe you!"

"You don't have to believe me, but Donovan really cared about you," Theodore said firmly.

Tears welled up in Phoebe's eyes, her heart aching. She never expected the truth to be this way-that Donovan died because of her.