Forbidden Passion
Chapter 582 Did You Kill Donovan

Theodore saw Phoebe's face, totally wrecked. He got up, strolled around the desk, and pulled her into a bear hug, like he was trying to merge their bodies, his grip tight as hell. "Phoebe, I'm so sorry. I never thought Bishop would mess with Donovan, let alone get him killed," Theodore said, his voice heavy with guilt.

"He killed Donovan. No way I'm letting him walk free," Theodore added, his voice hard as steel.

Phoebe shook her head. "It wasn't him."

Theodore's brow furrowed. "If it wasn't him, then who?"

"Donovan was taken out by Vanessa." Phoebe looked up, her eyes blazing with pure hatred. She had planned to gather more dirt before spilling the beans to Theodore, but she couldn't hold it in any longer. Theodore looked shocked and said in a low voice, "Phoebe, why would Vanessa kill Donovan? They had no beef."

Phoebe explained, "I don't know why she did it, but before Donovan's accident, he took his car in for maintenance. She hit up the auto shop during that time and paid off a mechanic. After Donovan's accident, that mechanic bailed. His coworkers said he got a chunk of cash to go back and get hitched."

Theodore's brow furrowed deeper. In his mind, Vanessa was sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly. How could she kill someone?

He asked, "Got any proof?"

Phoebe knew he was skeptical. She pulled out her phone, opened a saved photo, and showed it to Theodore.

Phoebe said, "A private detective sent me this. The timestamp matches when Donovan took his car in."

Theodore stared at the photo on the phone. It was outside the auto shop, but the Vanessa he knew was all sunshine and rainbows. He couldn't wrap his head around her being a killer. "Maybe it's just a coincidence. She might've just been passing by," Theodore suggested.

Phoebe lowered her arm, feeling crushed. She knew Theodore had blind faith in Vanessa, so when she found the clue, she hadn't even thought of telling him.

Now, the facts proved her right.

Phoebe felt a storm of pain, anger, and helplessness. Theodore had unshakable faith in Vanessa but always doubted her.

They'd been married for four years, spending every day together, but it still couldn't compare to the trust and feelings Theodore had for Vanessa, whom he'd known for over a decade.

"I'll find proof to make you see you've been deceived by Vanessa from the start!" Phoebe pushed Theodore away, turned, and stormed out. As she opened the office door, she caught a glimpse of someone scurrying away. She didn't have the energy to care about that now. She needed to breathe, or she'd suffocate.

Theodore leaned against the desk, watching Phoebe's figure vanish. He frowned deeply, knowing Phoebe's character.

If she didn't have evidence, Phoebe wouldn't accuse anyone lightly.

Could Vanessa really be the problem?

Theodore thought long and hard, then called Lawton. "Lawton, before Donovan's accident, he took his car in for maintenance. The brake pads were probably messed with then. You need to check this out personally." After hanging up, Theodore grabbed his car keys and walked out of the CEO's office.

Meanwhile, Vanessa was at the hospital taking care of Sophia. A lot had gone down in the past few days. Bishop had gone bankrupt overnight and was now drowning in debt, billions of dollars deep. Bishop had fallen just like that.

He was really fragile!

Theodore was the guy she admired-smart, decisive, and super capable. No wonder she was head over heels for him.

But dang, trying to outsmart someone like Theodore? That was a whole different ball game.

As Vanessa was lost in thought, she saw Theodore, the guy she couldn't stop thinking about, striding down the corridor. He was rocking a black coat, looking all elegant and suave. Vanessa's eyes lit up.

"Theodore, you're here," she said, her voice dripping with emotion and affection.

Theodore, carrying a fruit basket, walked up to her and asked gently, "How's Sophia been these past few days?"

"Same as before. She's been eating less and wakes up in pain at night. She'll be thrilled to see you," Vanessa said, barely able to hide her excitement.

Theodore walked in with the fruit basket. Sophia looked even skinnier and worse off than the last time he saw her.

Sophia tried to stay upbeat and chatted with Theodore for a bit. He didn't stick around long and left after a few words.

Vanessa quickly followed him out, her cane making a dull thud with each step, adding to her inner turmoil.

In the quiet, empty corridor, Theodore turned to look at her. "Vanessa, do you know Donovan?"

Vanessa was caught off guard and said, "Yeah, he's Ruby's boyfriend. I've met him a few times. He's really good to Ruby."

Theodore looked surprised. "You said Donovan is Ruby's boyfriend?"

"Yeah, didn't you know? They've been dating for a few months now. Ruby's crazy about him. I heard they were even talking about getting hitched." Vanessa sighed heavily, like she regretted Donovan's untimely death and the end of his relationship with Ruby.

Theodore stared at her, his gaze intense. "Vanessa, be straight with me, did you have anything to do with Donovan's death?"

Vanessa's eyes widened in shock, looking at him with hurt and innocence. "Theodore, it's one thing for Ms. Ziegler to suspect me, but how could you doubt me too?"

Theodore asked, "Phoebe came to see you?"

Vanessa nodded. "Yeah, just a few days ago. She brought a photo and grilled me, asking if I was the one who killed Donovan."

"Did you kill Donovan?" Theodore asked.

"Of course not," Vanessa said, her eyes welling up with urgency. "Theodore, do you really think I'm that ruthless? Besides, why would I kill him? I had no beef with him. Donovan was Ruby's soon-to-be fiancé. I wanted nothing but the best for him."

Theodore saw that Vanessa's words seemed genuine, and his tightly furrowed brow relaxed. He said, "Alright, I was just asking. If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

"Theodore!" Vanessa suddenly called out, looking into his eyes with anxiety. "Theodore, don't you believe me?"

Theodore looked at her for a few seconds, neither confirming nor denying his belief. He simply said, "Call me if Sophia needs anything. I'm out."

Vanessa watched him walk away, her hand clenched into a tight fist at her side. She knew Theodore well; he had started to doubt her.

Knowing Theodore's character, if he had complete faith in her, he wouldn't have bothered to come and ask her in the first place. Theodore had come to question her just to rattle her and make her lose her cool.

So, she had to find something to distract him before Theodore found any evidence.

Vanessa's eyes narrowed dangerously. She thought, 'Phoebe, you forced me to do this. Don't blame me for being ruthless.'