Forbidden Passion
Chapter 666 I'm Not Good at All

Vanessa looked like she'd been hit by a truck, tears streaming down her face, lips trembling. Anyone watching would feel their heart break a little. Meanwhile, Theodore was lounging on the sofa, looking like he couldn't care less. His hand was clenched, veins popping, showing just how fed up he was. "Enough," he snapped, his voice cold as ice. "Stop dragging up the past. Don't make me regret what I did back then."

He'd regretted it the second he made that choice. Three years of regret, and not a single moment of peace.

Vanessa's eyes went wide, and everyone could see the pain in her eyes. She couldn't take it anymore, covered her face, and bolted out of the hotel lobby. Everyone else just stood there, awkward as hell, glancing at Phoebe like she had the answers.

But Phoebe didn't say a word.

The head of Aurora Innovations, trying to break the tension, chuckled awkwardly. "Ms. Ziegler, I heard you used to be Mr. Reynolds' chief secretary. Is he always this cold to women?" Phoebe just pressed her lips together, giving the guy a look. Before she could respond, Mary jumped in, "Mr. Kessler, you're putting Ms. Ziegler in a tough spot."

"Yeah, I've had too much to drink. Ms. Ziegler, just ignore me. We'll see you at the press conference." Kristoff Kessler took off with his crew.

Everyone else followed suit, leaving just Phoebe and Noah by the elevator.

Phoebe rubbed her temples. "Noah, let's go."

Noah, who'd been brooding all night, finally relaxed a bit and walked over to her, sticking close as they headed out.

As they crossed the lobby, someone called out to Phoebe.

"Ms. Ziegler."

She hesitated, pretending not to hear, but eventually turned around. Theodore was stumbling towards her, looking a mess. "Mr. Reynolds." Theodore stopped in front of her, his eyes searching her face. His heart ached.

"Sorry, Jack had to leave. Can you give me a ride home?"

Noah, hands in his pockets, looked ready to explode. "Mr. Reynolds, you've got more than one driver. If Jack's not here, call another."

Theodore ignored Noah, his eyes locked on Phoebe. "Ms. Ziegler, can you give me a ride home?"

Phoebe saw the vulnerability in Theodore's drunken state. "Mr. Reynolds, I'll call you a car."

Theodore's eyes widened, looking hurt and shocked. "You want me to take a stranger's car?"

Phoebe was at a loss for words.

"Do you know how many people try to kidnap me for ransom every year, and you still want me to take a stranger's car?" Theodore's voice was a mix of arrogance and hurt. Sober, he'd never let this side show. Noah's face darkened with anger. "If you're so valuable, why don't you just stay home counting your money all day?"

"You're so noisy," Theodore snapped at Noah, then turned to Phoebe with a pitiful look. "Can you take me home, please?"

Phoebe sighed and turned to Noah. "Noah, you go ahead. I'll take Mr. Reynolds home."

Noah's eyes widened in disbelief. "Phoebe, can't you see he's faking it? Don't fall for it."

"Noah!" Phoebe's voice had a sharp edge to it.

Noah's frustration was about to boil over. He forced himself to hold it in, shot Theodore a cold glare, and stormed off without looking back.

What right did he have to interfere with Phoebe's decisions? She was just his boss. The more Noah thought about it, the angrier he got, and he couldn't help but mutter curses under his breath.

In the brightly lit lobby, it was just Phoebe and Theodore now. Phoebe pulled out her phone and called Guadalupe, asking him to come to the hotel to pick her up.

After hanging up, she looked at Theodore. "Guadalupe will be here in ten minutes. Let's wait by the sofa."

With no one else around, Theodore obediently followed her back to the lounge area.

Phoebe sat across from Theodore, finally realizing how quickly Patrick and Grace had slipped away earlier, like they'd planned to leave Theodore to her.

Theodore leaned back on the sofa, his handsome face flushed from the alcohol. Taking advantage of his drunkenness, he spoke softly, "Have you been well in Caneda these past two years?"

Phoebe had already taken out her phone, intending to scroll through Facebook to pass the time. Hearing his question, she paused.

At first, she had trouble adjusting. Even though she was past the early stages of pregnancy, she still vomited every day. During that time, Phoebe was very depressed. Every hospital checkup showed that the baby was not growing as expected.

After a month, Phoebe forced herself to eat more, and her condition gradually improved. But both her mental and physical states were unstable during pregnancy, and she often cried for no reason.

Phoebe remembered one morning when Cindy had prepared a glass of milk for her. She took a sip and suddenly broke down in tears, scaring Cindy.

At the time, Phoebe didn't know why she was crying. Was it because Cindy handing her the milk reminded her of a certain memory, or was it simply because she missed home?

Phoebe couldn't be certain, as she had experienced countless sudden breakdowns. By the final stages of her pregnancy, Cindy was anxious that she might develop postpartum depression. Phoebe replied calmly, "Not bad."

After all the words she could have said, it seemed that 'not bad' was the only answer. At least now she had a healthy body, a job to live on, and adorable kids.

She was very grateful for everything she currently had.

Theodore curled his lips. He lowered his eyes, his gaze unfocused, and ran his hands through his hair. "I'm not well, not at all, Phoebe."

"Mr. Reynolds," Phoebe interrupted him calmly. "The car is here."

Theodore looked up at Phoebe sitting across from him. He smiled, but it was a smile more painful than crying. "You really don't want to spend even a second more with me."

Phoebe stood up and said, "How could that be? Someone as charming as Mr. Reynolds must have people lining up around the block to spend time with you."

Theodore looked up, and their eyes met. Phoebe did not avoid his gaze.

After a moment of silent staring, Theodore was the first to look away. He stood up, brushed the wrinkles from his suit, and walked towards the door.

He was wrong. How could he expect Phoebe to have any feelings left for him?