Forbidden Passion

Outside Kedora High School, cars flowed endlessly. The two of them looked at each other from a distance for a moment before Phoebe gave in and slowly walked towards the silver-gray Maybach. Theodore sat in the car, watching her approach, raising an eyebrow slightly, "Finished your visit?"

Phoebe looked down and saw Theodore, looking travel-worn and still dressed in a black suit, as if he had just come from an event.

"How did you know I was here?" Phoebe's words were polite, but her attitude was distant.

Theodore looked at Phoebe in front of him. She was wearing a dark green spaghetti strap dress, with a diamond chain resting delicately on her fair collarbone. In the sunlight, she looked stunning and eye-catching.

He squinted slightly, "I went to Superstar Entertainment after getting off the plane and heard you were at Kedora High School, so I had to wait here for you."

Phoebe had something on her mind and wasn't in the mood to socialize with him. "Did you come specifically to bring me resources? Unfortunately, I'm busy today. Maybe another time."

With that, she turned to leave.

"Wait!" Theodore called out to her. Seeing Phoebe stop and turn around with apparent impatience, her face quickly shifted back to a perfectly polite expression. He smiled gently, "Where are you headed? I can give you a ride." "No need, Guadalupe is waiting for me," Phoebe declined.

Theodore insisted, "But I'd really like to give you a ride."

Phoebe silently met his gaze for a while. Theodore, sitting in the car, stared at her. In the end, she gave in.

Jack, being very perceptive, had already walked around the car and opened the back door. "Ms. Ziegler, please!"

Theodore moved slightly to the left, making room. Phoebe bent down to get in and said calmly, "Thank you, Mr. Reynolds, for the ride."

The door closed, and Jack quickly got in the car. Theodore's deep voice came through, "Where to, Ms. Ziegler?"

"Golden Harvest Diner."

Phoebe had arranged to meet Brian earlier. Whether Brian's investment in Spring Island was for fun or to please his lover, once the filming started, there was no reason to waste money.

If Valerie couldn't handle the job, she would replace her with someone who could, to ensure Noah's future wasn't jeopardized.

The car drove towards Golden Harvest Diner. Phoebe looked out the window at the street scene. In the bustling metropolis, skyscrapers stood tall. Even though it was a workday, the streets were crowded with people and tourists. Theodore looked at her beautifully contoured profile, his gaze sliding down to her pretty collarbone.

"Who are you meeting at Golden Harvest Diner?" he asked.

Phoebe withdrew her gaze and met Theodore's eyes. His expression was cold and restrained, but his deep eyes held an intense, almost predatory aggression, like a hidden beast ready to pounce when she let her guard down. The stark contrast made it hard to look directly at him.

Phoebe's eyes flickered slightly, her long lashes drooping to cover the light in her eyes. "I'm meeting Brian."

Theodore raised an eyebrow, his expression becoming more displeased. "What for?"

"He's the financier behind Spring Island. I have some matters to discuss with him," Phoebe answered straightforwardly.

"Because of Valerie?"

In the circle of Kedora's elite, wealthy families were generally interconnected. The Reynolds family and the Vanderbilt family had a good relationship. Except for Theodore marrying Phoebe and falling out with Edward, they usually interacted. So when Phoebe mentioned meeting Brian, Theodore remembered that Brian was known for his flirtatious nature. Even though he married Bianca from the Ramirez family and had a son, his private life remained chaotic.

Bianca had previously threatened divorce over this, but later compromised for the sake of the Ramirez family, which only fueled Brian's behavior.

By now, Brian's affairs were no secret in the circle.

Theodore had heard recently that Brian was infatuated with a young star and had invested in a TV series to please her. Phoebe squinted slightly, "You know?"

"The elite circle is small. Any family matter quickly becomes public knowledge. It's not surprising," Theodore said calmly. Phoebe suddenly recalled that when she and Theodore divorced, everyone knew quickly, too.

"I don't quite understand. Brian is playing around outside, and Bianca doesn't care?" Before Phoebe and Theodore divorced, Brian and Bianca seemed to have a good relationship, and Brian had promised Bianca he wouldn't fool around. Theodore stared at her, "Once a cheater, always a cheater. Guys like me, who are loyal and faithful, are hard to find."

Phoebe was speechless.

Some people just couldn't help but boast about themselves, could they?

Who was it that disregarded her life and spent five hundred million dollars to save Vanessa? And now Theodore was talking about being devoted and faithful in front of her. How shameless!noveldrama

The car soon arrived at Golden Harvest Diner and stopped at the entrance. Phoebe was about to get out when Theodore grabbed her wrist. "I haven't seen Mr. Vanderbilt in a long time. Let's go together." Phoebe stared at him, "Mr. Reynolds, aren't you tired?"

"Not when I'm with you." With that, Theodore released her wrist, opened the door on the other side, and got out. He walked around the car to her side. "Let's go."

Phoebe was at a loss for words.

Theodore and Phoebe walked into Golden Harvest Diner, where a waiter led them to a private tea room.

Brian hadn't arrived yet. Theodore and Phoebe took their seats in the tea room. Theodore took off his suit jacket and draped it over the back of the chair, his expression relaxing.

An awkward silence settled between them as they stared at each other. To break the tension, Phoebe moved to the tea table and began preparing tea.

Theodore leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed and lazy, quietly watching Phoebe make tea. Her movements were a bit unpracticed, showing a hint of inexperience, but there was a unique charm to her efforts.

The water in the glass teapot boiled. She lifted the teapot and poured the boiling water into the bowl with tea leaves. Soon, the tea leaves swelled, releasing a fragrant aroma.

She poured out the first bowl of tea, then refilled it with boiling water, pouring the second brew into a small cup in front of her. She picked up the cup and handed it to Theodore. "Mr. Reynolds, would you like some tea?"

Theodore was captivated by Phoebe's subtle charm, his voice low and husky, "Yes, thank you. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

With that, Theodore reached out, pressing his fingers against the back of her hand, guiding her hand to bring the cup to his lips. He drank the tea and smiled, "This is wonderful." Phoebe rolled her eyes.