Forbidden Passion
Chapter 620 Coveted by Others

The next day, Phoebe rolled straight from Cindy's place to the office. The second she walked in, she felt something was off.

She grabbed a coworker to get the scoop and found out Milton from Venture Capital Firm was dropping by today. Raphael had everyone sprucing up their desks to impress this Milton guy. Back at her desk, Phoebe started thinking. Milton from Venture Capital Firm-wasn't he someone she knew?

Just as she sat down, Raphael called her into his office. She stood there while he looked up at her.

"Phoebe, how you holding up? Feeling any better?" Raphael asked, sounding all concerned.

"Yeah, doc said it's just some seasonal stomach bug. Meds should clear it up," Phoebe replied.

Raphael gave her a warm smile, "Good to hear. As long as it doesn't mess with your work. Oh, and I need you to help me entertain Mr. Douglas. We gotta make him feel at home." Phoebe really didn't want to see Milton. Seeing him would just bring back memories of Donovan's accident. She pressed her lips together.

Raphael noticed and frowned, "What's up?"

Phoebe pressed her lips again and said lightly, "Nothing, Mr. Upton. Do I need to prep any materials?"

"Nah, you're good. I'll call you when he gets here." Raphael waved her off.

Phoebe turned and left.

As she walked out of the general manager's office, she shut the door behind her and let out a long sigh. Working at Kedora meant dealing with these people sooner or later.

Especially since Raphael loved using her to butter up powerful men.

Phoebe later found out that at that party, Raphael had intentionally gotten her drunk and given her a room key, planning to send her to someone's bed.

Luckily, she ended up in the wrong room, messing up Raphael's plan.

Since then, she'd been super cautious around Raphael, not wanting to fall into his traps again. Thankfully, Raphael hadn't had anyone to please recently and left her alone. Phoebe could quit and find another job, but after checking online, she found only two companies paid better, and both had ties with the Reynolds Group.

So, Phoebe had to stick it out.

Workplace drama involving power and sex was everywhere. As long as she was careful, she could dodge the manipulation.

In the afternoon, Raphael took Phoebe to the company entrance to welcome Milton. Milton, all suited up, got out of the car with his secretary.

Raphael rushed forward, shaking Milton's hand enthusiastically, "Mr. Douglas, welcome. Your visit is a huge honor for us."

Milton nodded gracefully, "You're too kind, Mr. Upton."

"Let's head to my office to chat. Mr. Douglas, this way, please." Raphael gestured, and Milton's eyes landed on Phoebe. He smiled and walked with Raphael towards the elevator. Milton and Raphael chatted along the way, while Phoebe and Milton's secretary trailed behind. Suddenly, Phoebe heard Milton mention her.

"Ms. Ziegler, last time we met was at the Reynolds Group, right? Didn't expect to see you here. If I'd known you were job hunting, I'd have snagged you before Mr. Upton did." Milton smiled at Phoebe, looking all harmless. In the elevator, all eyes were on Phoebe. She said, "Mr. Douglas, I'm just a regular person. It's nice of you to remember me."

"Ms. Ziegler, no way you're just ordinary. In six months, you turned Queen Entertainment into a top player in the industry. That's some serious business talent. Raphael, you've got a real gem here," Milton said with a grin. Raphael laughed along, "Yeah, Phoebe's got skills. She nails every task I throw at her."

Raphael was thinking Milton seemed pretty interested in Phoebe. If he could use her to lock Milton down...

Phoebe noticed Raphael's gaze bouncing between her and Milton. She narrowed her eyes a bit, feeling a sense of caution.

Whenever Raphael had that look, he was definitely up to something.

Raphael led Milton into his office, and they started talking about a recent financial acquisition and international trends.

Phoebe sat nearby, listening and taking notes. When the conversation hit a lull, Milton suddenly said, "Mr. Upton, mind if Ms. Ziegler shows me around your company?"

Raphael was thrilled, "Of course. Phoebe, take good care of Mr. Douglas."

Phoebe closed her notebook, glanced at Milton, and led him out of the general manager's office for a tour.

Milton raised his hand to stop his secretary from following and got into the elevator with Phoebe. "Ms. Ziegler, didn't expect to see you here."

After Phoebe was kidnapped and left the Reynolds Group, she had vanished for nearly two months. He had finally tracked her down.

Phoebe smiled, "Mr. Upton's generous, offering a high salary and half the workload compared to the Reynolds Group."

Milton squinted at her, "No salary's higher than what my company offers. Ms. Ziegler, why not come work for me? I'll give you a two-million-dollar annual salary plus year-end bonuses." Phoebe looked up at him, "Mr. Douglas, you're not here to check out our company; you're here to poach me, aren't you?"

Busted, Milton didn't even try to hide it. "Yeah, it bugs me seeing someone with your talent wasted here."

"Thanks for the offer, Mr. Douglas, but your company deals with the Reynolds Group. I don't want any more ties with them," Phoebe said firmly.

A two-million-dollar salary plus bonuses was tempting, but dealing with the Reynolds Group again? No thanks.

Plus, she was pregnant now and wouldn't be able to stay at this company for long. Once her pregnancy showed, she'd leave Kedora.

Milton looked steadily at Phoebe, "If you come work for me, I can cut all business ties with the Reynolds Group."

"Why am I worth that much?" Phoebe chuckled, "Mr. Douglas, please don't joke. The elevator's here. After you."

Milton pursed his lips in displeasure. He'd offered such good terms, yet Phoebe still wouldn't join his company. He'd have to think of another way.

After Phoebe showed Milton around the company, he declined Raphael's invite to stay, citing another engagement, and left with his secretary. Raphael called Phoebe into his office and asked what she and Milton had talked about. Phoebe gave some vague answers.

Raphael, shifting his thoughts, fixed his gaze on Phoebe and asked, "Ms. Ziegler, what do you think of Mr. Douglas?" Phoebe's scalp tightened, sensing Raphael's implication.