Chapter 27
Theodore extended his arm and effortlessly caught the flying pillow.
He looked at her in surprise. Phoebe, throwing a tantrum, was unexpectedly captivating. Her eyes were bright, and she seemed more alive than ever. He was used to seeing Phoebe as gentle and submissive. Her sudden outburst and defiance were surprisingly alluring. Seeing the anger in Phoebe's eyes, Theodore felt a rekindling of his previously subdued desire.
"If you don't want to leave, we can always go for another round," Theodore blurted out.
"You beast!" Phoebe was terrified. She scrambled off the bed, rummaged through her suitcase for clean clothes, and then hurried into the bathroom. She knew Theodore too well. Despite his polished appearance, he was terrifyingly lustful. He had dared to make love with her in the company office, let alone in this VIP ward where they were unlikely to be disturbed.
Watching her flee, Theodore touched his nose, unexpectedly amused.
He placed the pillow back on the bed, bent down to pick up the torn clothes, and threw them into the trash can.
Phoebe quickly rinsed her body and got dressed. Standing by the sink, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her lip was cut, her lips swollen, and her neck was covered in hickeys, looking utterly ravaged.
At that moment, there was a knock on the bathroom door. Phoebe was taken back, hearing Theodore's lazy voice from outside. "Are you done?"
Phoebe opened the door to see Theodore leaning against the wall, looking at her.
The man who had been so horrific just moments ago now looked like a perfectly dressed gentleman.
"Why haven't you left yet?" Phoebe asked stiffly.
According to their usual routine, Theodore should have left right after sex.
Theodore stared at the cut on her lip. "I'll take you home."
"I'm not that important. Don't trouble yourself." Phoebe snorted and walked out.
Theodore's mouth twitched slightly. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. "Phoebe, do you know you look like you need a good lesson?"
Phoebe knew she couldn't break free from his grip and didn't bother to try.
She looked at Theodore coldly and asked in a low voice, "Theodore, Vanessa is back. You've loved her for so many years. Don't you want to marry her?"
When she mentioned Vanessa, Theodore felt a sudden irritation. "Mind your own business!"
Phoebe sneered, "You don't want a divorce, but you want a mistress. Theodore, you're a real scoundrel!"
With that, Phoebe shook off Theodore's hand and strode toward the door.
Theodore's face burned as if he'd been slapped. When Phoebe was about to leave, he couldn't hold back any longer.
He was about to chase after her to make her explain when he unexpectedly saw Evelyn standing outside the door.
Evelyn looked a bit embarrassed, holding onto the door frame, caught eavesdropping. She felt awkward.
"Are you guys done?"
Evelyn's question made Phoebe's face even colder.
"What, do you want to come in and watch?"
Evelyn had never experienced such a situation. Her face immediately turned sour. "Phoebe, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Phoebe ignored her and walked straight to the elevator.
Evelyn's earlier behavior had left her heartbroken.
Evelyn glanced at Theodore and couldn't help but scold, "Theodore, Phoebe just recovered. How could you..."
Theodore's face flushed, and he quickly interrupted Evelyn, "Mom, I'll go after her. I'll have the driver take you home later."
With that, Theodore hurriedly quickened his pace, wanting to leave the awkward situation as quickly as possible. The thought of having made love to Phoebe in front of Evelyn was mortifying.
"Go on, Phoebe has a soft heart. If you coax her well, she won't stay mad at you." Evelyn nodded, watching Theodore chase after Phoebe with a suitcase. She couldn't help but give a piece of advice.
Evelyn glanced into the ward, noting the disheveled bed. It had been quite intense.
Downstairs at the hospital, Theodore caught up with Phoebe and forcibly dragged her into his car, speeding toward the apartment.
As he drove, Theodore kept glancing at Phoebe. After hesitating several times, he finally couldn't help but ask, "How did you and Vanessa fall from the second-floor balcony that day?"
Phoebe's body stiffened, and she sneered, "I thought you wouldn't ask."
Theodore frowned. "How could I not ask about something so serious?"
Phoebe turned to look at him, staring into his eyes for a few seconds. With a final glimmer of hope, she asked, "If I said Miss Fitzroy pulled me down, would you believe me?"
"She can't swim; she wouldn't do that," Theodore replied without hesitation, frowning as he added, "Phoebe, don't slander her."
Phoebe felt a sharp pang in her heart.
She spoke with difficulty, "I can't swim either. I don't like you. Why would I push her? Do you think I did it?"
The car screeched to a halt in the middle of the road.
Phoebe's body lurched forward from the inertia, only to be yanked back by the seatbelt, leaving her dizzy.
"What are you doing? Do you know how dangerous that is?" Phoebe scolded, holding her throbbing head.
The car behind them nearly rear-ended the luxury car, the driver breaking out in a cold sweat.
The driver maneuvered around them, cursing loudly as he passed.
Theodore, seething with anger, shot a menacing glare at the driver, who immediately shut up and sped away.
After a long pause, Theodore restarted the car, his face dark. He gritted his teeth and said, "Phoebe, am I not good enough for you? Are you blind? If not me, who else could you like? Watch your words, or you'll regret it later."
Phoebe closed her eyes and said, "Yes, I'm blind."
Since they had fallen out, Phoebe decided not to hold back. "The thing I regret the most is taking you back to the hotel when you were drunk!"
Theodore was speechless.
He dropped Phoebe off at the apartment building and drove away before she even went inside.
Phoebe didn't care. She went back to the apartment weakly, and the first thing she did was head to the bathroom to scrub away every bit of Theodore. Despite showering at the hospital earlier, Theodore's blind faith in Vanessa left her feeling tainted once more. She needed to cleanse herself of him completely.
Phoebe was conflicted.
She hated Theodore for choosing to save Vanessa first that day and for leaving her alone by the lake.
But when Theodore kissed her, Phoebe's soul trembled with shame and uncontrollable desire.
After her shower, she cooked some food and sat in the dining room, eating while watching entertainment news.
The artist she had sent to the talent show had surprisingly made it through the first round, receiving an A rating and entering the A class.
Phoebe's mind was instantly drawn to work.
She took out her phone and called John, "Keep a close watch on Noah Myers' performance on the show. Check out his strength. When I swing by the office later, we'll chat about potential hookups with the show's producers."
Talent shows often had behind-the-scenes manipulation. If Noah was strong enough, Phoebe wouldn't mind giving him a push to help him shine even brighter.
After hanging up, Phoebe was so exhausted that she didn't want to move a finger. Having just recovered from a serious illness, Theodore's demand for sex was simply unreasonable.
In the middle of the night, Phoebe felt like she was being crushed by a mountain, making it hard to breathe.
The air was filled with a strong smell of alcohol—sweet and fiery, making her feel disoriented.
Phoebe frowned and struggled to open her eyes, only to find an arm draped across her waist. She tried to push it away, but Theodore only held her tighter.
He whispered, "Don't fuss; go to sleep."
