Forbidden Passion
Chapter 704 A Down-and-Out Dog

Lori sidled up to her, sharing her indignation as she said, "Ms. Ziegler, do you know him from before? Why did you ask me to put laxatives in his coffee?"

Phoebe didn't explain. She said, "Have someone keep an eye on him. When he comes out of the restroom, escort him out and make sure he never enters Superstar Entertainment again." "You taught him a lesson today; he won't dare come back." Lori didn't press further. It was better not to pry into Phoebe's personal matters.

Phoebe patted her on the shoulder, saying, "Good job. I'll have the finance department give you a raise."

Lori's eyes lit up, filled with dollar signs as she said, "Thank you, Ms. Ziegler!"

Before she could finish her sentence, a flurry of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Lori and Phoebe turned to look. The next second, Phoebe was enveloped in an embrace. Phoebe's hands stiffened at her sides as Theodore held her tightly, so tightly it felt like he wanted to merge her into his body, making it hard for her to breathe.

"Thank God you're okay," Theodore's deep, trembling voice came from beside her ear. His chin brushed against her shoulder before he buried his face in her neck. Phoebe's scalp tingled instantly. Like a cat with its fur standing on end, she pushed Theodore away forcefully. When one shove didn't work, she pushed again. Feeling her resistance, Theodore reluctantly let go and stepped back, creating some distance.

Seeing Phoebe standing there unharmed, Theodore's anxious heart finally settled back into place. He resumed his usual aloof demeanor.

Theodore said with concern, "I heard Bishop came to see you."

Phoebe squinted at the bodyguards behind Theodore and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Mr. Reynolds, why did you bring so many people to my company?" Theodore glanced back, and the bodyguards immediately disappeared from sight. He turned back to Phoebe and said with anxiety, "He didn't do anything to you, did he?"

Phoebe stubbornly replied, "He's just a disheartened person. What could he possibly do to me?"

Theodore looked her over from head to toe, confirming she was indeed unharmed. Only then did he fully relax. "I'm glad you're okay. I rushed over here, afraid he might have..." "What are you afraid of, Mr. Reynolds?" Phoebe coldly interrupted Theodore. "If you had finished him off back then, he wouldn't have been desperate enough to kidnap me." Theodore felt a pang in his heart. It was indeed his fault for pushing Bishop to the brink and failing to protect Phoebe. "I'm sorry."

Phoebe turned her head away, refusing to look at Theodore. "How noble of me, to have you remember to say sorry after all these years. Mr. Reynolds, I'm very busy and have no time to entertain you. Please leave." With that, Phoebe went back to her office.

Watching her retreating figure, a self-mocking smile appeared on Theodore's handsome face. He knew that Bishop's reappearance would push the fragile truce between him and Phoebe back into a deadlock. Theodore closed his eyes briefly and left Superstar Entertainment.

Downstairs, Lawton watched Theodore chain-smoke, a pile of cigarette butts quickly accumulating at his feet. This reckless smoking indicated that Theodore hadn't had a good time with Phoebe. "Mr. Reynolds, Bishop is out."

Theodore looked up to see Bishop staggering out of the lobby. He raised his hand, signaling the bodyguards to take action.

Bishop clutched his stomach. The coffee Phoebe had given him was incredibly effective. He had spent two hours in the restroom, nearly passing out from exhaustion.

By now, Bishop had lost all his earlier poise. As he stumbled out of the Empire State Building, he was suddenly thrown into a sack.

Before he could struggle, he was knocked out with a club.

Theodore watched as Bishop was tossed into the trunk like a dead pig. He leisurely flicked away his cigarette butt and got into the front seat of the black Maybach. Lowering the car window, Theodore, who was standing outside, instructed Lawton. "Lawton, leave two people to protect Phoebe."

"Yes, Mr. Reynolds."

The window rolled up, and the convoy drove off, disappearing down the road.

Phoebe stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. Sunlight poured over her, but it couldn't dispel the chill inside her. Even though she had dealt with Bishop, the fear of him still lingered. She rubbed her temples. A knock came from behind her. "Come in," she said with a cold expression.

Lori entered and quickly walked over to the solitary figure by the window. "Ms. Ziegler, Bishop was knocked out and taken away by Mr. Reynolds' men."

Phoebe said, "I know."

"Also, Mr. Reynolds left two bodyguards at our company entrance. They glare at everyone coming in and out, making it very inconvenient for the staff." Lori hesitated. Phoebe frowned and said in confusion, "When did this happen?"

"Just now."

"I understand."

After Lori left, Phoebe took out her phone and dialed a number she knew by heart. It rang once before Theodore picked up.

"I just left, and you're already calling me. Do you miss me?" Theodore's slightly teasing voice came through, sounding especially deep, perhaps because of the distance. Phoebe said with a sneer, "Let your people all leave."

"I left them to protect you, Phoebe. Don't be afraid; I won't let anyone hurt you again." Theodore's voice was filled with regret.

Phoebe coldly refused, "I don't need it."

"Phoebe," Theodore called her name helplessly.

Phoebe gritted her teeth and said, "Mr. Reynolds, let them leave. Don't use protection as an excuse to monitor me. If I need bodyguards, I'll hire them myself."

She couldn't let Theodore's bodyguards follow her, or he would eventually find out about Hubert, Boris, and Noomi. That would make things even more complicated. Theodore sighed, "Alright, I see."

Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief and hung up. Shortly after, Lori came in to inform her that the two bodyguards had left.

Phoebe's head throbbed. Last night's dream had indeed been a premonition. She wondered what trouble Bishop would stir up this time.

She no longer wanted to be involved in their power struggles, but with Bishop coming to see her as soon as he returned, could she really stay out of it?

Bishop was awakened by a bucket of ice water. He opened his eyes to find himself tied to a chair, unable to move.

He struggled a bit but couldn't break free. Looking up, he saw Theodore standing by the old window with his back to him. Bishop gritted his teeth and said with a sneer, "Theodore, do you know who I am now? How dare you kidnap me?" Theodore turned around, his gaze as cold as death. He raised his hand, and a subordinate immediately handed him a whip. Theodore cracked it in the air, producing a loud, sharp sound.