Forbidden Passion
Chapter 716 Career Path

Walking into the apartment building, Ethan and Ruby took the elevator upstairs. Ethan curiously looked around, and when the elevator arrived with a ding, it startled him. Ruby hugged Ethan tightly and gently patted his back.

Phoebe led Ruby and Ethan out of the elevator. Guadalupe stood at the door with bags at her feet. Phoebe went over to scan her fingerprint, and the door popped open. Ethan looked at the fingerprint lock with wide eyes and asked curiously, "Mom, what's that?"

"This is a fingerprint lock," Ruby explained. Seeing Ethan's confused face, she patiently said, "It means we register our fingerprints in the system, and then we can enter just by scanning our fingerprints." "Oh," Ethan replied and seemed to understand.

Inside, Phoebe turned on the lights. The furniture was covered with dust sheets. Phoebe went over and pulled off the sheets, with Guadalupe helping her.

Luckily, they had moved out recently, so there was little dust. After removing the dust covers, the house looked brand new.

Hubert, Boris, and Noomi's game table was in a corner of the living room, left behind when they moved. Ethan excitedly wiggled his feet and said, "Mom, can I play with that?"

Ruby followed Ethan's gaze to the game table in the corner. Her heart stirred. The game table looked almost new, with some scratches on the surface, indicating it had been used.

Ruby felt weird and thought to herself, 'Phoebe is a single woman, why would she have a game table at home?'

"Mom?" Ethan was still waiting for Ruby's answer.

Ruby put Ethan down, and he ran over with his short legs, lying beside the game table to play with the blocks. Ethan had never played with them before, but he figured it out and enjoyed himself. Phoebe walked up to Ruby and said, "Ethan is very smart."

Ruby looked at Phoebe, filled with doubt. "Phoebe, did you have kids here before?"

"Yes," Phoebe didn't want to elaborate. "You and Ethan can stay in Donovan's old room. It's the last one down the hallway. I'll show you."

Ruby followed Phoebe down the hallway. The house was large, with three bedrooms, a study, and a screening room. Phoebe showed Ruby around, finally stopping at Donovan's room. "We haven't touched his things. You can buy whatever you need." Phoebe opened the door and walked in first.

Phoebe went to the window and pulled back the curtains. The golden sunset light poured in, dazzling. She stood in the light and looked back at Ruby.

Ruby hesitated at the door, looking at the very masculine bedroom. Her eyes burned red, as if she might cry blood at any moment.

Ruby raised her hand to cover her eyes, saying in a trembling voice, "Phoebe, can I be alone for a while?"

Phoebe saw Ruby trembling all over. She pressed her lips together and left the room without a word. As she passed Ruby, she gently patted her shoulder.

The door closed behind Ruby. Phoebe walked into the living room and heard Ruby's anguished cries from the room.

Phoebe sighed softly and went to Ethan.

Ethan looked at Phoebe and asked, "Aunt Phoebe, what's wrong with my mom?"

"Your mom is very sad. She'll feel better after she lets it out. Ethan, when your mom comes out, can you give her a hug?"

Ethan nodded vigorously. "I understand."

Phoebe raised her hand to pat Ethan's head. Looking into his eyes, so much like Donovan's, she said with a slight smile, "You're so great!"

Ruby didn't let herself break down for too long. She wiped her tears and stayed in the room for a while to compose herself before coming out. Guadalupe had already left, leaving only Phoebe and Ethan playing at the game table in the living room.

Phoebe saw Ruby come out and stood up, checking her watch. "It's getting late. I should go. Call me if you need anything."

Ruby sincerely thanked her and said, "Phoebe, thank you."

Phoebe smiled slightly, seeing Ruby's red eyes. "Alright, let's stop thanking each other. Come with me, I'll register your fingerprint in the system." Ruby followed Phoebe to the door. After registering her fingerprint, Phoebe said goodbye and left.

After settling Ruby and Ethan, Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief and took a cab back to Lakeview Estates. She received a call from Stanley. "Phoebe, are you free tomorrow night?"

Phoebe walked along the path to her villa, chatting with a smile. "Yes, what's up?"

"Penguin Video is hosting a small screening event at 7 PM at Todi Stadium. I'd like to invite you to join me. How about it?" Stanley said. Phoebe's eyes lit up as she said, "Of course, I'd love to. Thank you for thinking of me. See you tomorrow night."

"See you tomorrow night!"

After hanging up, Phoebe walked even more briskly.

Penguin Video's internal screening events were exclusive, inviting top industry professionals, renowned business owners, and famous media personalities. Attending such events was great for networking.

The next afternoon, Phoebe dressed up and got ready to leave. Stanley called to say he was already downstairs at her office.

Phoebe was surprised and quickly walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Sure enough, there was a black car downstairs. She grabbed her clutch and headed out.

Downstairs, stepping out of the Empire State Building, she was hit by a wave of heat. Stanley, in a formal suit, stood by the car, looking much the same as in college, with gold-rimmed glasses adding a touch of elegance and authority. Phoebe quickly approached and shook Stanley's hand. She said with a slight smile, "Stanley, you didn't have to come all the way to pick me up. I feel bad."

"Phoebe, don't talk like that to me. Get in the car; it's quite hot outside." Stanley opened the car door, gesturing for Phoebe to get in.

Phoebe, in a black evening gown, looked understated yet elegant. She held her dress as she bent to get in, sliding over to make room for Stanley. The driver started the car.

The interior was spacious, clean, and fresh, a stark contrast to the all-black exterior.

Phoebe turned slightly, smiling at Stanley. "Back in college, you seemed the most mature and steady. Everyone thought you'd go into finance. No one expected you'd end up in media."

"In today's society, those who control information are winners, and the industry is no exception. Facebook's user growth and the rise of new media have brought us huge profits. Many have become overnight millionaires," Stanley said confidently.

Phoebe nodded. "Yes, when we graduated, it was the perfect time for new media. If I had joined Facebook with you back then, I wouldn't still be struggling to start my own business."

Stanley laughed, looking at Phoebe with genuine admiration. "Don't underestimate yourself. Among our peers, very few have achieved what you have."

Phoebe smiled. Talking with Stanley felt easy and relaxed, like being back in school, quickly closing the gap between them.