Chapter 32
"Noah is good-looking, fitting the aesthetic of young girls these days. Plus, he's emotionally intelligent, shy yet passionate. When he dances, it's like he transforms into a different person. He has great potential."
Theodore absentmindedly responded, "Yeah."
Phoebe's face was already flushed, and she bit her lip, trying to stay calm. "To make him a star, he needs chances. So, before his big break, I aim to enlist some established artists to back the company."
Theodore leaned back against the pillow, hands behind his head. "Do you have any artists in mind?"
Phoebe nodded. "Yeah, Evan Deross was really popular last year. I heard his contract is about to expire. I plan to offer him the best deal to get him on board. But I also heard he plans to start his own studio, so whether we can sign him depends on the situation."
Theodore quietly watched Phoebe. She always had a unique charm when she was working seriously, making it hard to look away. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, and in moments like this, teasing her and watching her restrained yet flustered expression gave Theodore a sense of pleasure and excitement.
He reached out, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. "You don't need to work so hard."
Phoebe was taken aback and then turned to look at him.
Their eyes met, and Theodore's fingers were still tangled in her hair. Everything seemed perfect, but Phoebe's heart slowly sank.
She knew QUEEN Entertainment was a gift from Theodore to Vanessa, and she was just managing it temporarily.
Once they divorced, QUEEN Entertainment would go to Vanessa.
The harder she worked now, the more ironic it would be in the future. That was why Theodore said she didn't need to work so hard.
Phoebe closed her tablet and placed it on the bedside table. "You're right; I don't need to work so hard. After all, it's going to someone else in the end."
With that, she wrapped herself in the blanket, lying on her side with her back to him.
Theodore looked at her back, feeling speechless at Phoebe's sudden anger. He couldn't help but slap her butt. "I'm trying to talk to you nicely; why are you angry?
Phoebe closed her eyes, not even sure what she was angry about. She felt the pain from her butt but bit her lip, refusing to make a sound.
Theodore waited for a while, seeing that she didn't respond, he became impatient and left the room after putting on his pajama pants.
The sound of the door slamming still echoed in her ears as Phoebe lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking that he finally found an excuse to go see Vanessa. She ultimately couldn't stop him.
Downstairs at the swimming pool, Theodore swam several laps. His body was fit and muscular, and he leaned against the pool edge, panting, still filled with frustration, muttering as if cursing Phoebe.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the pool entrance. The person seemed to deliberately make their steps louder so Theodore would notice immediately.
Theodore's Adam's apple bobbed. He was puzzled and thought, ‘Who else is up now? Can't sleep because of his wife too?'
He didn't turn to look or think too much, diving back into the water, his long arms slicing through the surface, creating a splash of white water.
Vanessa stood by the pool, mesmerized by the wild and athletic figure in the water.
Back when they were still a couple, she had fantasized about making love with Theodore.
Theodore would definitely be uninhibited, wild, fierce, full of hormones and masculinity.
Theodore grabbed the handrail and climbed out, surprised to see Vanessa.
"Why aren't you asleep at this hour?"
"Well, I saw you swimming from upstairs. I couldn't sleep, so I came down for a walk. Want some water?" Vanessa handed him a bottle of water.
Her eyes swept over his wet body, and Vanessa's face blushed, her heart racing.
Theodore glanced at it and took it, but he didn't open it and instead placing it on the lounge chair. He grabbed a robe and wrapped it around himself.
"It's late. Let me walk you back," Theodore said.
They walked along the path, Vanessa deliberately closing the distance between them, making them appear very close.
"Have you gotten used to being back in the country?" Theodore suddenly asked.
"Yeah," Vanessa glanced at him, "since that fall in the water, my sleep's been awful. Nightmares wake me up a lot."
Theodore, lacking sympathy, cut to the chase, "That's typical after a big accident. If it gets worse, consider seeing a shrink."
Vanessa stared at him, seemingly not expecting him to say that. "What? It's not that serious. Maybe it's because my room's window faces the swimming pool, so I can't sleep well."
"Theodore," Vanessa stopped walking, and Theodore looked down at her. She lowered her head, looking unusually delicate, and said, "I'm a bit scared. Can you stay until I fall asleep?"
Theodore remained expressionless as he responded with a simple "Okay."
Vanessa smiled happily.
Phoebe was so wary of her, but Theodore still went to her room.
In the early morning hours, Theodore returned to the room. He took a shower in the bathroom and then stood by the bed for a while before finally turning and going to the small living room outside bedroom.
In the darkness, Phoebe slowly opened her eyes.
The small living room soon quieted down, and she was sure Theodore hadn't gone out again.
Phoebe lay awake for a long time. Feeling restless, she sat up, grabbed her tablet from the bedside, and continued watching the talent show in the dark.
She watched until dawn.
Phoebe hadn't slept all night, and her eyes felt sore and swollen. When she was washing up in the bathroom, she noticed her eyes were red, a clear indication of her sleepless night.
After washing her face, she applied light makeup to cover her tired appearance.
Passing through the small living room, she saw Theodore curled up on the sofa, sleeping soundly. His long legs had no place to go, making the sofa look cramped.
Phoebe didn't disturb his sleep. After watching him quietly for a moment, she opened the door and left the bedroom.
At that moment, the door to the guest room across the hall also opened.
Upon seeing Phoebe come out, Vanessa's expression momentarily showed disappointment but quickly turned smug.
She waved a towel in her hand, speaking with a suggestive tone, "Theodore left his towel in my room last night. I'm here to return it."
Phoebe recognized the familiar towel as Theodore's usual one. She couldn't help but grit her teeth and said, "Give it to me. I'll take it in."
She reached out to take it.
But Vanessa pulled the towel back. "Ms. Ziegler, aren't you curious about what we did in my room last night?"
Phoebe's expression didn't change. "No matter what you did; he came back to me in the end, didn't he?"
Vanessa was momentarily speechless, and Phoebe continued, "Miss Fitzroy, you come from a respectable family. Are you really so eager to become someone else's mistress?"
Vanessa's face turned very ugly, and she pointed at Phoebe. "You!"
Phoebe took a step forward, showing no fear, her eyes even a bit fierce. "I hate to say it, Miss Fitzroy, but why bother provoking me? I can't control the divorce. Focus on winning him back instead of wasting time on me!"
