Chapter 14
Phoebe was stunned by the blow. The hard edge of the folder grazed the corner of her eye, sending a spray of blood flying. The hot blood splashed into her eye, causing a sharp pain.
Theodore was furious, paying no attention to the injured Phoebe. He pointed at her nose and berated her, "What kind of manager are you? If I hadn't taken Vanessa away from the airport in time today, do you realize how bad things could have gotten?"
Phoebe stood frozen in place. The physical pain seemed insignificant compared to the growing ache in her heart.
Earlier at the airport, she saw him protectively escorting Vanessa away.
First of all, Vanessa was an artist under QUEEN Entertainment, and her safety was paramount. Secondly, Vanessa was Theodore's first love, and he should protect her.
But why did it hurt so much to see Theodore leave with Vanessa in his arms without looking back?
Vanessa, sitting on the couch, seemed startled by Theodore's outburst.
She saw Phoebe's disheveled state, with blood trickling down her brow, and quickly got up to stand between Theodore and Phoebe.
She exclaimed, "Ms. Ziegler, you're hurt."
She grabbed Phoebe's hand and exclaimed. Then she turned around, glaring at Theodore with a hint of anger. "Theodore, how could you throw a folder at Ms. Ziegler? What if it leaves a scar on such a beautiful face?"
Theodore's face remained tense, clearly still angry, and he didn't even glance at Phoebe.
"Theodore wasn't like this before," Vanessa said helplessly, shaking her head and leading Phoebe to sit down. She spoke gently, "Ms. Ziegler, let me help you with your wound. It's bleeding. Should I accompany you to the hospital?"
Phoebe instinctively took a step back, avoiding her hand. "No need, Miss Fitzroy. It's just a minor injury. I'll take care of it myself later. It was my oversight in security today. Please forgive me. I promise this won't happen again."
"Don't say that. It's my fault for changing the schedule at the last minute. I just wanted to surprise Theodore, not expecting him to show up at the airport. I thought I was incognito, but the fans still recognized me.""
Phoebe forced a smile.
Vanessa smiled gently. "He's always been like this. Anything related to me, he has to handle personally to feel at ease."
Phoebe forced a smile. Vanessa saw her bloody hand but pretended not to notice, instead looking at Theodore with a smile full of happiness.
She insisted, "I'll go to the hospital with you."
Phoebe sneered inwardly. She was now certain that this seemingly gentle and bright Vanessa was actually a hypocritical woman.
Vanessa had stepped in front of her, not to help wipe the blood from her face, but to prevent Theodore from seeing her injury.
Theodore spoke impatiently, "Vanessa, why do you care about her? It's just a minor injury; she won't die from it! But you, after such a long flight and the scare at the airport, I'll take you back to rest after we finish discussing the contract."
Phoebe felt a sharp pang in her heart. She only had a minor injury, but Vanessa had been frightened. How ironic.
"If there's nothing else, I'll leave now." Phoebe clenched her fists and said softly. She wanted to escape this office immediately, not wanting to stay a second longer.
Phoebe herself found it strange. No matter how badly Theodore treated her before, she could endure it. Why couldn't she suppress her grievances now that Vanessa was back?
Phoebe turned to leave, but Theodore's cold voice stopped her. "Did I allow you to leave? You mess up big time at work and think you can just walk out? I seriously doubt your competence. If you don't submit a review of this incident, I'll fire you immediately!"
Phoebe's fists clenched tighter and tighter at her sides. After spending so much time with Theodore, she knew his temper all too well. Even if she argued with him now, it wouldn't change the outcome.
It was better to just comply; things would be much simpler that way.
"I understand." Phoebe suppressed her resentment, opened the door, and left, not seeing the smug look in Vanessa's eyes.
Carol came running over and was immediately shocked by Phoebe's injuries, her eyes welling up with tears. "Phoebe, how did you get hurt so badly?"
"It's nothing, just an accident. I'm going to the infirmary to get it bandaged," Phoebe said.
"I'll go with you," Carol hesitated.
It was work hours, and if Mr. Reynolds caught her leaving her post, she'd be in big trouble.
But seeing Phoebe so injured, she couldn't let her go to the infirmary alone.
Phoebe shook her head. "No need, you should get back to work. Vanessa is back in the country, and Mr. Reynolds is discussing a collaboration with her. He might need you."
"I'll come see you after work. You're hurt so badly; maybe you should take half a day off to rest," Carol nagged.
Phoebe didn't say anything, just waved her hand and took the elevator to the infirmary to treat her wounds.
"Anyone who sees these injuries would think you were tortured. How did this happen?" Otis Patterson, the infirmary doctor, asked while applying medicine to her wounds.
"I accidentally fell," Phoebe said, brushing off the question. She didn't want to talk about what happened at the airport.
Otis glanced at her, his tone carrying a hint of reproach. "Who injures both hands like this because of falling? If you don't want to discuss it, that's fine. Just remember to look after yourself."
Phoebe forced a smile. "Thank you, Dr. Patterson."
Otis sighed and gave her two tubes of ointment for her wounds, instructing her to keep her hands dry for the next couple of days before watching her leave.
Back at her office, Phoebe locked her door and changed into clean clothes.
She sat in her office chair, staring blankly at her bandaged hands.
She began to think about what had happened at the airport.
Vanessa was indeed talented in piano, but she had just returned to the country. How could she have such a big reputation and cause such a commotion?
‘Moreover, according to their previous schedule, Vanessa was supposed to return next week. She had said she came back early to surprise Theodore, so how did Theodore know she was returning today and go to pick her up?’
‘Since Vanessa had secretly returned early, even if she had a huge fan base in the country, no one would have known in advance to wait at the airport.’
After pondering for a while, a detail suddenly clicked in Phoebe's mind.
In the crowded scene, someone had shouted, "That's a big star, everyone take pictures!" This had caused the surrounding passengers to swarm, leading to the chaos.
Phoebe closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, thinking to herself, ‘It seemed Vanessa is not a simple woman.'
In the following days, Theodore didn't return to their apartment. He didn't take any of the supplements Taylor sent over.
One morning, Phoebe woke up in bed and instinctively turned her head to look beside her. Although she had gotten used to Theodore not coming home recently, she still felt a bit unsettled not seeing him there.
But it was for the best, Phoebe consoled herself. With Vanessa back, Theodore would spend all his time with her and wouldn't want to return to this cold home.
Besides, Theodore had always disliked her.
Phoebe went about her usual morning routine and was preparing breakfast in the kitchen when she heard someone come in from outside.
She looked up and saw a tall figure bathed in golden sunlight.
Was it Theodore?
Phoebe felt her heart pounding, her whole body trembling.
