Chapter 31
Phoebe stood in the guest room, making the bed with Riley. When Piley saw Phoebe's gloomy expression, she couldn't help but comfort her, "Ms. Ziegler, Mrs. Sarah Reynolds is definitely on your side."
Phoebe pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Riley could tell that Phoebe was feeling down, so she continued, "As soon as Mrs. Sarah Reynolds heard you fell into the water, she rushed back. Who else in this house gets that kind of treatment? She genuinely cares about you. She let Miss Fitzroy stay over because she didn't want Theodore driving her back in the middle of the night. Who knows what could happen when they alone outside?"
Riley didn't say the next part, but Phoebe already understood. Actually, how could Phoebe not understand what Riley was saying? It was precisely because she understood too well that she felt so sad.
Even Sarah was watching out for Theodore and Vanessa, which showed that everyone knew Vanessa's true intentions.
But what was the point? Sarah couldn't keep Theodore by her side all the time. If Theodore and Vanessa really had feelings for each other, it would happen sooner or later.
Riley finished making the bed and patted Phoebe on the shoulder. "Phoebe, you should take the initiative too. You two are the married couple."
Phoebe returned to the bedroom. After taking a shower, she sat at the vanity to apply lotion. The bedroom door was pushed open from the outside.
Phoebe glanced back and saw Theodore walking in leisurely with his hands in his pockets.
At home, Theodore wasn't wearing a suit jacket. His shirt had the top two buttons undone, revealing his sexy Adam's apple and a hint of skin below his neck, exuding a healthy and masculine charm.
Phoebe inexplicably swallowed, feeling her throat go dry.
Theodore stood behind her, scrutinizing Phoebe in the mirror with an overly focused gaze.
Phoebe felt nervous under his stare. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Theodore leaned in, his chin almost touching her shoulder. They were in such close proximity that Phoebe could sense Theodore's warmth. The romantic ambiance made her body tense, yet she found herself completely captivated.
Theodore's sudden gentleness made Phoebe uncomfortable. She instinctively turned her head to avoid him.
But Theodore seemed to anticipate her reaction. A large hand reached over and grasped her neck. Phoebe shuddered and didn't dare to move.
Phoebe murmured, "You..."
"Do you think we look alike?" Theodore interrupted Phoebe, his bright eyes fixed on the two of them in the mirror.
Theodore realized that he hadn't looked at Phoebe this closely in a long time. Compared to three years ago, she had lost some of her innocence and gained a mature allure. Her beautiful and dignified face, her curvaceous figure—she was a stunning beauty.
Theodore's gaze swept over her eyes, ears, and lips with a full sense of invasion, making Phoebe's heart race.
Phoebe had never really looked at Theodore closely either. His strong presence made his features seem aggressive.
Looking at Theodore's face now, she still couldn't believe she had been married to such a man for three years. Under such an intense gaze, Phoebe felt at a loss and could only think of ways to divert Theodore's attention.
"Not really," Phoebe said.
Theodore narrowed his eyes, his well-proportioned fingers gently caressing her chin, and emphasized with a hint of displeasure, "I think we look quite alike."
Alice had said he and Phoebe looked alike. He hadn't thought so before, but now, looking closely, Phoebe's cold demeanor was indeed similar to his. It occurred to him that Phoebe's temperament might have been subtly altered by their years together.
The romantic tension was palpable. Theodore couldn't resist stealing a glance at her. They were so near that their breaths mingled intimately.
Phoebe's heart raced. What was Theodore going to do?
Phoebe and Theodore stared at each other, their breathing growing more rapid. Just as they were about to kiss, the bedroom door was suddenly knocked on.
Phoebe hurriedly walked to the door. "I'll get it."
Theodore clicked his tongue, running his fingers together as if he could still sense the smoothness of her skin, causing his heart to skip a beat.
Phoebe's cheeks were flushed red. She stood at the door, took a deep breath, and then opened it. But when she saw who was standing outside, the flutter in her heart quickly faded.
Vanessa stared at the blush on her face, her expression twisting with burning jealousy.
What were they doing before she knocked on the door?
"Ms. Ziegler, I'm looking for Theodore," Vanessa suppressed her envy and gazed at Phoebe serenely.
Phoebe frowned slightly. "It's so late, Miss Fitzroy. What do you need?"
"My room's door doesn't seem to lock properly. I wanted Theodore to take a look," Vanessa said directly.
Asking Theodore to fix the door late at night—Vanessa wasn't even trying to hide her intentions.
Phoebe glanced at the room across the hall. When she and Riley had gone in earlier, the lock was perfectly fine. How could it suddenly have a problem?
"No need to trouble him with that. I can fix the door," Phoebe said, then nonchalantly closed the door to her and Theodore's bedroom. She stepped toward Vanessa's room.
Vanessa, not seeing Theodore, bit her lip in frustration and sarcastically said, "I didn't expect you to be a handywoman."
"There are plenty of things you don't expect," Phoebe said as she walked to the door, grasping the handle and pressing it back and forth several times, confirming that it was indeed broken.
Judging by the damage on the door lock, it was clear that someone deliberately had broken it. Phoebe found it amusing. Who knew that such a delicate-looking girl like Vanessa had the strength to break a lock that the Reynolds family had paid a high price for?
Phoebe gave Vanessa a subtle glance, and Vanessa, feeling guilty, avoided her gaze.
Phoebe smirked internally and said calmly, "It seems the spring is loose. I'll go get the toolbox."
There was a toolbox on the third floor, just in the nearby attic. Phoebe quickly fetched it and fixed the door in no time.
Vanessa's face turned dark with anger.
She had put in a lot of effort to break the lock, hoping to call Theodore over, and then she could get closer to him. Who knew Phoebe would fix it so easily?
If she tried to break something else to get Theodore's attention, it would be too obvious.
Phoebe packed up the toolbox and said, "Miss Fitzroy, you should rest early. Remember to lock the door so no one else comes in."
Vanessa glared at the fixed door, her eyes red with anger.
Seeing Vanessa's furious yet helpless expression, Phoebe felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
When she returned to the room, Theodore had already finished his shower. He was only wearing black shorts and a black T-shirt, drying his hair.
The T-shirt was loose, but the shorts were tight, wrapping his muscular thighs and highlighting his well-defined, powerful legs and firm buttocks.
Phoebe glanced at him and quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing red.
Theodore didn't notice her reaction. He sat on the vanity stool, lightly tousling his dry hair, his long legs stretched out. "Where did you go?"
"Miss Fitzroy asked me to help her fix her door," Phoebe said, avoiding looking at Theodore's body.
"Did you fix it?" Theodore asked, looking up.
"Yes, I reminded her to lock the door so no one else comes in," Phoebe walked over to the bed, her words carrying a hint of implication, subtly reminding Theodore.
Theodore chuckled softly and joked, "You are impressive."
Phoebe lay on the bed and started watching a talent show on her tablet. She couldn't help but glance at Theodore's strong body again.
Judging by the current trend, Noah had a good chance of becoming popular. He has potential, so Phoebe had personally arranged for him to have increased airtime on the show.
The bed sank as someone settled beside her, a subtle blend of body wash filling the air. Phoebe turned to find Theodore now seated next to her.
Theodore sat close to her, looking at the tablet in her hands. "He dances well. Are you planning to groom him?"
"Yes, QUEEN Entertainment needs its own top stars to establish itself in the industry," Phoebe said seriously, but she hadn't finished her sentence when she felt hot breath on her neck.
Theodore's mind wasn't on the talent show at all. His chin rested on Phoebe's shoulder, and with a downward glance, he could catch a glimpse of her fair skin peeking through the slightly open nightgown collar.
