Chapter 16
Vanessa's words precisely triggered Theodore's dissatisfaction with Phoebe. He let out a cold laugh, "How much busier can a manager get? Busier than me, the boss? She's just slacking off."
Phoebe rolled her eyes, but Vanessa saw it.
The two awkwardly made eye contact for two seconds before Vanessa looked away first and turned to Theodore.
Compared to how kind and thoughtful he was with Vanessa, Theodore's treatment of Phoebe was just plain mean. At first, Vanessa found their bad marriage amusing, thinking it would crumble once she reappeared. However, after a few days, she began to realize things were more complicated than she initially thought.
Phoebe indeed posed a certain threat to her.
Since she returned to the country, Theodore had accompanied her to meet many friends. He was always restrained and polite, practically the perfect gentleman.
But he was so perfect that it made him feel unapproachable.
Theodore chose to show his worst self, without any reservations, to the person he truly trusted, which was Phoebe.
Because he knew that no matter how angry Phoebe got, she wouldn't leave him.
This side of Theodore was something Vanessa had never seen before. Because she had never seen it, she wanted to do something about it. Faced with this awkward situation, the only solution Vanessa could think of was to keep causing Phoebe trouble, exacerbating the conflict between Phoebe and Theodore.
Vanessa's mind was racing with thoughts, but she maintained a smile on her face.
"Ms. Ziegler, Theodore said you'll be my agent from now on. We don't have each other's contact information yet. Let's add each other on WhatsApp first."
Vanessa turned slightly, holding her phone's QR code in front of Phoebe, smiling, "Scan here."
Phoebe had added artists on WhatsApp before but had never proactively reached out to Vanessa. It wasn't because she was arrogant or timid, but because the relationship between Vanessa and Theodore was too special. Getting too close to Vanessa wouldn't benefit Phoebe.
Besides, Vanessa's intentions were not pure.
Seeing her WhatsApp name, Vanessa asked in surprise, "Is Mia your nickname?"
Theodore's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly glanced at the rearview mirror. In three years of marriage, he had never added Phoebe on WhatsApp, so he didn't know her nickname was this.
But the name "Mia" was very special to him.
"No, I just made it up," Phoebe said.
In fact, Mia was her nickname, but since her father Harper Ziegler passed away, no one in the family had called her that. When she registered on WhatsApp, Phoebe thought of her late father, and decided to use this nickname.
"Really?" Vanessa glanced at Theodore without a trace. "I thought your nickname was also Mia."
Phoebe's heart raced, "So Miss Fitzroy's nickname is Mia?"
"Yeah, back in school, Theodore always called me Mia. But he's still mad at me; I've been back for so long, and he hasn't called me by my nickname once."
Vanessa's expression was somewhat forlorn, like she was pouting at her boyfriend. "Theodore, can you forgive me?"
Phoebe's ears buzzed, and her mind went blank; she couldn't hear anything.
The passionate memories of that night resurfaced. Theodore held her, whispering softly in her ear, making her unable to resist falling for him.
He said, "Mia, don't be afraid."
Phoebe had always thought that during that night of intense passion, Theodore was calling her.
But she never expected that from beginning to end, he was calling Vanessa, and she was just a substitute.
Phoebe's face turned ashen, as if she had suddenly fallen gravely ill. Pale, she looked somewhat fragile.
She didn't know how much time had passed before she heard Vanessa calling her, "Ms. Ziegler, we're here."
Phoebe snapped back to reality. The car had already stopped in the underground parking lot of the mall, and Theodore and Vanessa were standing outside the car, looking at her.
Phoebe opened the door and got out, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, they gave way, and she almost fell. A strong hand reached out to support her.
"Why are you so pale? Feeling carsick?" Theodore glanced at her deathly pale face, a hint of concern creasing his brow.
Phoebe coldly brushed his hand away. "Been sitting too long, my legs are numb."
Theodore was speechless.
Vanessa had already put on a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a mask, standing to the side. She subtly squeezed between Theodore and Phoebe, even reaching out to support Phoebe. "Ms. Ziegler, let me help you."
"No need." Phoebe sidestepped and walked briskly toward the elevator.
Vanessa stood next to Theodore, her tone a bit dejected. "Theodore, maybe I shouldn't have come with you. Ms. Ziegler seems unhappy."
"Why do you care if she's happy or not?" Theodore was irritated, his gaze at Phoebe as sharp as a knife, but his voice remained gentle. "As long as you're happy."
Vanessa smiled at his words. "Theodore, it's not good to be so obviously biased in my favor. Don't let our relationship sway your judgment. Ms. Ziegler is my agent; we gotta work well together."
Walking ahead, Phoebe heard her words and almost rolled her eyes to the back of her head.
She thought, ‘What an act, bitch.'
"Don't worry," Theodore said, "Phoebe may have a bad temper, but she's very professional. She won't let personal feelings interfere with her work."
Vanessa's mind stirred; Theodore held Phoebe in high regard.
Vanessa had always thought that QUEEN Entertainment was a meticulously prepared gift from Theodore to welcome her back to the country, but now she had to be subordinate to Phoebe and be constrained by her.
Just thinking about it made Vanessa burn with jealousy.
In fact, Theodore's decision wasn't to let Phoebe overshadow Vanessa, but because Phoebe was indeed very professional.
During their three-year marriage, no matter how upset or angry Phoebe felt, once she dressed in her professional attire, she transformed into a composed and astute career woman.
QUEEN Entertainment was a new venture of the Reynolds Group, and it needed someone as capable as Phoebe to manage it.
Moreover, Phoebe in professional attire was actually very attractive. That was why he always wanted to tease Phoebe, to see her panicked expression. Only then could he feel that Phoebe still cared about him.
As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, a strong scent of perfume hit them. Inside the International Finance Center, it was dazzling and luxurious.
This place gathered luxury brands from around the world, which was a true money pit.
In fact, buying a gift for Taylor wasn't that difficult; she loved jewelry and bags, especially limited editions.
Phoebe had ordered a limited edition Birkin bag from Hermès six months ago as a birthday gift for Taylor. It was made of top-grade crocodile skin and encrusted with real diamonds.
In short, it was expensive.
The sales associate took out the bag, and as soon as the dust bag was removed, the dazzling light from the diamonds almost blinded Phoebe.
Phoebe was about to ask the sales associate to wrap it up when she heard Vanessa say, "I like this bag; I'll buy it." Vanessa suddenly moved next to Phoebe. "Wow, this bag is so beautiful; I'll take it. Wrap it up for me!"
Phoebe looked at Vanessa. Was she really going to snatch it from her?
