Forbidden Passion
Chapter 589 Save Phoebe or Vanessa?

Theodore could hear Phoebe's ragged breathing, and it felt like someone punched him in the gut. He wished he could just teleport to her and get her away from those jerks. "Phoebe, don't freak out. I'm here. You're gonna be fine," Theodore said softly.

Phoebe blinked, sweat dripping down her face. She was totally out of it.

Theodore's voice was so gentle. She'd never heard him talk to her like that before.

Phoebe forced a weak smile. His soft tone gave her a bit of courage, making her want to spill her guts about her feelings for him, no matter what.

"Theodore, there's something I've been keeping to myself for ages. I wasn't gonna tell you, but now I'm scared..."

Phoebe's voice trailed off, and those few seconds felt like forever to Theodore. His heart practically stopped. Then she continued,

"I like you. I've liked you for a really long time. If I die, don't be sad. Look after my mom for me."

Before she could finish, the kidnapper snatched the phone away.

"Mr. Reynolds, have you decided who you want to save? Your devoted wife or your first love? I'll give you five minutes to think about it."

And with that, the kidnapper hung up.

The busy signal snapped Theodore back to reality. What did Phoebe just say? She liked him, and had for a long time.

Theodore was floored and full of regret. How had he missed that Phoebe liked him? How deep had she buried those feelings?

He wished he could be with Phoebe right now and tell her how much he loved her.

Theodore quickly redialed, but the number was out of service. The kidnapper must be switching numbers. He knew he couldn't just sit around.

"Lawton, get the finance team to load five hundred million bucks into the car and be ready to roll," Theodore ordered.

Lawton looked at Theodore's tall, determined figure. It was like the earlier despair was just a bad dream. Now, he was back to being the unstoppable man. Lawton nodded and was about to leave when Theodore called him back.

"Wait. Check on Bishop's whereabouts. I have a hunch he's mixed up in this," Theodore said.

Lawton's eyes widened with realization. "Got it. I'll get someone on it right away and try to find Mrs. Reynolds ASAP."

Lawton hurried to the door, but just as he reached it, he saw James pushing the terminally ill Sophia into the office.

"Theodore, Vanessa's been kidnapped. Please save her," Sophia pleaded, her eyes full of hope. Her face was pale, showing how much this had shaken her.

Seeing them, Theodore suddenly realized he hadn't thought about Vanessa at all in the past few hours. He'd only been worried about Phoebe.

He knelt beside Sophia's wheelchair and said, "Sophia, don't worry. I'll save Vanessa. Your health isn't good; you should go back to the hospital." Sophia shook her head stubbornly. "I'm not going back. I'm staying here until you rescue Vanessa. Otherwise, I'm not moving." "Sophia," Theodore called out.

Tears streamed down Sophia's wrinkled face as she clutched Theodore's hand. "Theodore, I'm begging you. I only have one daughter, and I don't have much time left. If we both die, how will James survive alone?" Theodore's hand gripped the wheelchair's armrest, his brown eyes dark and unreadable. In just a few breaths, he made up his mind.

He had to save Phoebe first.

"Sophia, hang tight a little longer. I've got the finance team heading to Riaca City to gather the ransom. Once we have it, I'll get Vanessa out. But right now, I need to save Phoebe first," Theodore said, trying to comfort her. "Theodore," Sophia's hand shook as she clutched his, "please save Vanessa. I can't bear the thought of losing my daughter in my final days."

"Just a few hours," Theodore's voice was tight.

Just a few hours. Maybe by the time he paid the ransom, he could nab the kidnappers and make them spill where Vanessa was.

Tears streamed down Sophia's weathered face. For those ruthless kidnappers, a few hours were enough to kill someone. She couldn't afford to gamble, nor did she dare to.

"Theodore, I know you should save Ms. Ziegler first, both morally and emotionally. But Vanessa is my daughter. I can't just watch her fall into the hands of those heartless kidnappers. I'm begging you, please save Vanessa," Sophia pleaded. As she spoke, Sophia shakily stood up from her wheelchair and knelt before Theodore with a thud.

"Sophia!" Theodore quickly went to help her up.

James also knelt down, his aged face full of tears. "Theodore, please, save our Vanessa."

Looking at them, Theodore felt a deep sense of helplessness. "Sophia, James, please get up."

Sophia gently brushed away Theodore's hand, making it clear that she wouldn't get up unless he agreed to her request.

Just then, Carol shouted, "Mr. Reynolds, the kidnappers are calling."

Theodore's heart skipped a beat. Five minutes had passed, and he had to decide who to save first. He got up to answer the phone, but Sophia suddenly grabbed his sleeve. "Theodore, I beg you. Please save Vanessa first," she said.

Sophia was already at her limit, having been deeply shaken that morning and now desperately pleading with Theodore. With several fervent bows, her heart lost its rhythm. Theodore hurriedly bent down to stop her, but Sophia suddenly began to convulse, her ashen eyes fixed on Theodore.

As if giving her final words, Sophia desperately opened her mouth, her throat producing rough, gasping sounds. "Theodore, save Vanessa."

Before she could finish, Sophia's head slumped to the side, and she lay motionless at Theodore's feet.

Time seemed to freeze. It could have been a second or a minute. The phone's ringtone, like a death knell, echoed in the silent room.

"Honey, wake up, honey!" James's heart-wrenching cry brought Theodore back to his senses. He slowly reached out and felt for Sophia's carotid artery, but there was no pulse. Theodore closed his eyes, and two tears slid down his cheeks.

He reached out to Carol, who quickly placed the phone in his large hand. She glanced at James, who was holding Sophia's lifeless body, and then at Theodore.

She could sense Theodore's inner struggle and hesitation.

If, from the beginning, Theodore had intended to save Phoebe first, what would he choose now that Sophia had died at his feet?

Theodore gripped the phone tightly. There was no time for hesitation. No matter how much pain he felt inside, he had to make a decision. Phoebe or Vanessa?