Forbidden Passion

Phoebe bent down to pick up Ollie and walked into the living room. She lowered her head to nuzzle him. "Good boy, have you been listening to Papa at home?" Ollie rubbed his head against her chest.

Theodore watched from the side. Her use of "Papa" made his heart melt, but seeing Ollie nuzzle her chest made his expression darken instantly.

He hadn't even had the chance to get that close to Phoebe, and here was Ollie, shamelessly taking advantage of her. He walked over and took Ollie from Phoebe's arms. "My stomach doesn't feel well. Can you make me some soup?" Phoebe squinted. Theodore ordering her around came so naturally.

But seeing Theodore's furrowed brows, he did look quite uncomfortable. She turned and went to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, it had everything she needed.

She took out the ingredients and started washing them. It wasn't until she had put all the ingredients into the pot that she realized, why was she being so obedient?

She rubbed her forehead.

She had been so used to being bossed around by Theodore that she had no sense of resistance. It was terrifying.

As Phoebe's thoughts churned, the soup in the pot began to boil.

She lifted the lid and caught a glimpse of someone standing at the kitchen door. Turning her head, she saw Theodore standing there.

Theodore was holding Ollie, leaning against the doorframe, quietly watching her. For a moment, it felt like old times. Sometimes, when they both got off work early, she would cook while he stood at the door holding Ollie, keeping her company.

Even without speaking, there was a warm, comforting presence.

"The soup is almost ready." Phoebe looked away, scooped a spoonful of soup, blew on it to cool it down, and tasted it. "It seems a bit bland."

Theodore walked over with Ollie, "Let me taste it."

Phoebe glanced at him, rinsed the spoon under the faucet, then scooped another spoonful and brought it to his mouth. Theodore didn't open his mouth, "It's hot, blow on it." Phoebe was speechless.

Resigned, she blew on the soup to cool it down and then brought it to his mouth. Theodore took a sip, "This tastes good. It's been ages since I've had this flavor."

Phoebe didn't respond. She took a bowl from the cabinet and poured the soup into it.

She placed the bowl on a tray, prepared the utensils, and carried it to the dining table. "I'll go pack Ollie's things."

"No rush," Theodore called after her.

Phoebe frowned. She didn't want to stay with Theodore for long.

She stood by the dining table, "It's getting late. It takes an hour to get back to Lakeview Estates from here, and I have to work tomorrow."

"If it's too late, just stay here. It's not like there's no place for you to stay," Theodore said matter-of-factly.

He had finally managed to get Phoebe back; how could he let her leave so easily?

Phoebe narrowed her eyes. "Is this what you had in mind when you asked me to come over so late?"

Theodore put Ollie on the ground, sat down in a chair, and took a sip of the soup. It was delicious and appetizing.noveldrama

He looked up at Phoebe's wary expression and said, "Will you sit down and keep me company while I finish eating? If you don't want to stay here, I won't force you. Jack is still waiting downstairs. I just want you to keep me company while I finish eating."

Theodore's tone was soft, with a hint of pleading.

Phoebe pursed her lips, walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down. She took out her phone to check her messages, "Hurry up and eat. The sooner you finish, the sooner I can leave." Theodore took a deep breath at her perfunctory attitude, but the fact that she was willing to sit with him was already a significant improvement.

He ate slowly.

The dining room was very quiet. Ollie circled around Phoebe's legs, then suddenly stood up and rested his front paws on her knees. She picked him up and placed him on her lap.

On WhatsApp, there was a message from Milton about Harper, reminding her not to arrange any strenuous activities due to Harper's past accident and lingering health issues.

Milton mentioned that Harper had an accident when he was younger, leaving him with health issues that prevented him from walking long distances. He hoped she wouldn't arrange any physically demanding activities like hiking. Phoebe stared at the message, lost in thought.

When they left the tea room, she had noticed Harper walking slowly. She had thought it was the composed demeanor of someone in a high position, but now she realized it was due to the lingering effects of the accident. She replied: [Got it.]

Milton quickly responded: [Still up this late?]

Phoebe: [Yeah, not home yet.]

Milton: [Still at Mr. Reynolds' place?]

Phoebe's fingers paused. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Theodore looking at her intently. She cleared her throat and quickly replied, then put her phone back in her pocket. Theodore stared at her, "Who are you chatting with?"

"Milton," Phoebe had nothing to hide. "He was just reminding me about the details for hosting Mr. Ziegler so I don't make any mistakes."

Theodore frowned, "You're hosting him?"

"Yeah, he's originally from Kedora but moved to Caneda for work. He hasn't been back in years and wants to look around this time," Phoebe explained. Theodore looked displeased, "If he needs a guide, can't Milton arrange for someone more suitable? Why does it have to be you, the boss?"

"How prestigious do you think I am? I still have to make a living under you capitalists," Phoebe scoffed.

There was no such thing as a free lunch. If she wanted Superstar Entertainment to thrive, she had to maintain good relationships with these capitalists.

"You make it sound like I'm mistreating you," Theodore's lips curled into a smile. "Phoebe, there's actually a simpler way. You don't have to work so hard to please others." Phoebe squinted, "What?"

"We could get back together," Theodore said. "With the Reynolds Group backing Superstar Entertainment, you'd have a constant stream of resources. You wouldn't have to work so hard." Phoebe snorted, "Mr. Reynolds, three years ago, you gave away the business I worked so hard to build. Do you think I'd make the same mistake again today?" Theodore put down his spoon and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Phoebe, you know I wouldn't do that to you again. I've regretted it for a long time." Phoebe felt a pang in her heart. She looked away and asked calmly, "Did you kick Queen Entertainment out of the Reynolds Group because of me?" "Yes!"

"Why?" Phoebe looked at him. "You went to great lengths to protect her back then, even at the cost of my life. How could you suddenly treat her like this?" Theodore looked at her steadily, "Phoebe, you're so smart. Can't you figure out why I did it?"

Phoebe shook her head, "I don't know, and I don't want to know. Are you finished eating? I need to pack Ollie's things."

She got up to leave the dining room, but the sound of a chair scraping the floor came from behind her. The next second, Theodore had her pinned against the wall.