Forbidden Passion
Chapter 669 Don't Give the Opportunity to Others

Phoebe finished talking and, without even glancing at Theodore's stunned face, turned and walked away quickly. The setting sun stretched her shadow long behind her. Theodore rubbed his forehead with his long fingers and let out a low chuckle.

Phoebe turning him down was no surprise. If winning her back was that easy, she wouldn't have left him so decisively all those years ago.

Today, Theodore was just testing the waters.

As long as Phoebe wasn't completely disgusted, he saw it as a win.

He looked up at her retreating figure and shouted, "Phoebe, no matter how far you go, I'm gonna win you back."

Phoebe's back stiffened, and she gripped her bag strap tighter. If she hadn't already walked a bit away, she might've thrown her bag at his head to knock some sense into him.

It was rush hour, and a bunch of employees were leaving the Empire State Building, just in time to hear Theodore's bold declaration.

For a moment, the company chat group blew up.

[Wow, Mr. Reynolds just confessed to Ms. Ziegler downstairs. Think the red roses this morning were from him?]

[Totally. Never thought I'd see Mr. Reynolds chasing someone, though his methods are kinda lame.]

[A CEO's pursuit is called romantic, duh.]

[Got it. Wanna bet on how long it'll take Mr. Reynolds to win over Ms. Ziegler?]

[Can't you see Ms. Ziegler's all about her career? I bet she'll stay single and unmoved.]

[Exactly, women should focus on their careers. Who needs a man?]

Everyone was buzzing, but someone quietly passed the news along.

At the Vanderbilt Mansion, Edward was chilling on the couch, watching cartoons with Benjamin. His phone buzzed, and he picked it up to see a string of messages on WhatsApp. After reading them, Edward's face darkened with anger.

Benjamin looked at him and said, "Edward, you look scary. I'm kinda scared."

Edward pressed his lips together and glanced at Benjamin, whose face showed clear signs of fear. He closed his eyes in frustration and said, "I gotta go out for a bit. You watch TV by yourself." With that, Edward got up and walked out.

Benjamin watched him leave and asked in a small voice, "Edward, are you going to find Phoebe?"

Edward paused but didn't turn back. He walked out of the villa, and soon the sound of an engine starting could be heard outside.

Benjamin lowered his head and played with his toys. After a long while, he sighed, "Loving someone who doesn't love you back is really tough."

Delilah came downstairs and heard Benjamin's sigh. "Benjamin, where's Edward? Wasn't he supposed to watch cartoons with you? Why'd he leave again?"

"Edward went to find Phoebe," Benjamin said. "But I don't think he has a chance. Phoebe doesn't want to come back with him."

Delilah looked outside and saw a black car passing by the gate. She sighed. Edward was a stubborn guy. After all these years, why couldn't he let go of Phoebe?

Phoebe stopped by a supermarket on her way and grabbed some daily necessities. Just as she walked out, her phone rang. She took it out of her bag, glanced at the caller ID, and answered. "Phoebe, Evelyn said you went to the supermarket. Which one? I'll come pick you up," Edward's gentle voice came through the phone.

Phoebe replied, "The one across from Golden Apartment."

"I see you. Hang tight, I'll be right there."

Before Phoebe could say 'No need,' Edward had already hung up. She shook her head, a bit exasperated, and waited by the roadside.

Soon enough, Edward's car pulled up in front of her. The window rolled down, and Edward leaned over with a slight smile, "Phoebe, hop in."

Phoebe opened the passenger door and got in, balancing her shopping bags and purse on her lap. "It's just a short walk. You didn't have to come." Edward glanced at her and said, "Put on your seatbelt."

"Oh." Phoebe reached for the seatbelt, but halfway through, she felt a warm hand cover hers. She looked down at Edward's long fingers and, feeling flustered, quickly pulled her hand back. Edward gave her a soft look, then pulled the seatbelt across and clicked it into place. He leaned back and said, "I heard from Evelyn that you guys are moving. If you need anything for the new place and don't have time to get it, I can help." "We don't need anything at the moment. We'll see after we move in." Phoebe felt a sense of relief, though the back of her hand still felt warm.

Edward nodded, "That's fine."

The car soon entered the underground parking lot of Golden Apartment. Edward parked the car.

Phoebe unbuckled her seatbelt and was about to open the door when Edward grabbed her wrist. She paused and looked back at him, saying, "What's wrong?"

Edward looked at her intently, his eyes filled with deep emotion. "Phoebe, do you know I've been waiting for you all this time?"

When Edward grabbed her hand earlier, Phoebe had a bad feeling. Now, hearing his words, she sighed silently.

Some things were inevitable. But why did they all choose today to confess?

"Edward, you know Delilah won't accept my children." Phoebe used her usual excuse to reject Edward.

In the past, whenever Phoebe mentioned her children, Edward would drop the subject. But today, the excuse didn't seem to work.

Edward continued to look at her, his eyes filled with a determination that made her uncomfortable. "Phoebe, let's not talk about them today. You know that if you agree, they won't be an issue."

For the past year, Edward had treated Hubert, Boris, and Noomi as his own. If Phoebe agreed to be with him, he would continue to treat them as his own.

Nevertheless, Phoebe looked away, focusing on the license plate of the car opposite. "Edward, we've grown up together. You've been by my side all these years, taking care of me like my real brother." "Phoebe, I take care of you because I love you," Edward interrupted, not giving Phoebe a chance to frame his feelings as sibling affection.

Edward was pushing her to the edge.

Phoebe looked back at him, hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, "Honestly, I have no intention of starting a new relationship."

Edward had expected this answer. He felt both disappointed and secretly relieved. At least now, he and Theodore were still on the same starting line.

"Phoebe, whenever you decide you want to start a relationship, remember not to give anyone else a chance."