Chapter 34
Witnessing Brandon's infidelity firsthand was a significant shock to Phoebe. In her mind, Brandon was always stern and authoritative.
Brandon had been married to Taylor for many years, and she never imagined he would cheat.
But thinking about what happened between Theodore and Vanessa at the Reynolds Mansion yesterday, Phoebe seemed to understand a bit. Could infidelity be hereditary?
With a flood of pent-up negative emotions, Phoebe couldn't hold back her tears once she started.
It was as if she needed to release all the grievances she had been holding onto for days, even years. Her body went limp, and she slowly sank to the floor.
Theodore was startled and quickly reached out to pull her back into his arms. Upon hearing her heart-wrenching sobs, his brows furrowed tightly, and he couldn't help but ask loudly, "What's wrong? Who bullied you?"
Phoebe rarely showed such despair and vulnerability in front of him. Theodore remembered the last time he saw her like this was when they lost their child.
Seeing her emotional breakdown again, Theodore felt at a loss.
As the elevator doors slowly closed, his eyes narrowed slightly, and Theodore finally noticed that this was Brandon's executive office floor.
Back on the top floor, Theodore bent down and carried Phoebe out of the elevator.
Phoebe had cried for a long time and had gradually calmed down. She was startled by Theodore's actions and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. "Put me down. What if someone sees us?"
"Why should I care if someone sees me carrying my wife?" Theodore wouldn't listen to Phoebe. He carried her out boldly. Fortunately, it was still early, and there was no one in the office area.
He carried Phoebe all the way back to the office and placed her on the sofa.
Looking down at Phoebe, he asked, "Now can you tell me why you were crying?"
Phoebe uncomfortably wiped the tears from her face, avoiding Theodore's intense gaze.
"Did Dad scold you?" Theodore continued to ask.
"No," Phoebe avoided his gaze and hurriedly stood up from the sofa. "Don't overthink it. I was just too tired and started crying. I'm going to work now."
As soon as she stood up, Theodore pushed her back down.
Theodore leaned in, his hands bracing her sides, enveloping her. "Don't feed me lies. Want me to go talk to Dad?"
Phoebe pursed her lips and looked up at him.
Their noses were almost touching. At such a close distance, Theodore could only see Phoebe's watery eyes.
She stubbornly and defiantly looked at him.
Theodore's Adam's apple bobbed, and a desire to kiss her surged in his heart. He struggled to control this impulse.
For the past three years, they rarely kissed except when making love. Even if they did, it was mostly him punishing or humiliating her.
Realizing his loss of composure, Theodore quickly took a deep breath and stood up straight, ready to leave.
The moment of intimacy abruptly dissipated.
Phoebe snapped back to reality and saw Theodore walking out quickly. She thought he was really going to confront Brandon and hurriedly jumped up from the sofa, grabbing his wrist.
"Don't go. Dad didn't scold me."
Theodore paused, his eyes shifting as a plan formed in his mind. He turned back to stare at Phoebe. "Then why were you crying?"
Phoebe lowered her head, staring at her shoes. She didn't know if she should tell Theodore what she saw that morning.
What would happen if Theodore knew Brandon was cheating?
Phoebe was scared that she decided to lie. "Dad reached out, making me think of my late father. He sailed off when I was five, never to return. I've wondered for years if he's alive or dead. It's just sad."
It was supposed to be a lie, but as soon as she mentioned her long-lost father, Harper Ziegler, Phoebe genuinely felt the pain. The more she talked, the more upset she became, and tears welled up again.
Upon seeing her get sadder as she spoke, Theodore quickly stepped forward, cupping her face and gently wiping away her tears.
"Alright, stop crying. If you miss your dad, you can think of my dad as your dad. You're already a part of the Reynolds family, so my dad is your dad too. If you miss Harper, just get closer to my dad."
Phoebe was so startled she hiccuped. Get closer to Brandon?
Fortunately, Theodore didn't press further. When she had stopped crying, he let her leave.
Theodore still felt uneasy and went downstairs to the chairman's office.
Brandon was on the phone with someone. The man, over fifty, had a charming smile and a twinkle in his eye, which made Theodore puzzled.
In his impression, Brandon was always stern and serious, rarely smiling. He had never seen Brandon so happy.
When Theodore entered the office, Brandon immediately said to the person on the other end of the line, "I have something to do. Bye."
After hanging up, Brandon's smile faded, and he reverted to his serious demeanor. He said, "What brings you here?"
Theodore looked at him and sat down on the sofa opposite. "Dad, who were you talking to just now?"
"An old friend," Brandon replied casually, not wanting to elaborate. He changed the subject. "I heard from your mom that Ms. Fitzroy is back, and you personally went to Nyxonia to bring her back?"
Theodore nodded.
Brandon frowned, his gaze becoming stern. "Theodore, did you consider Phoebe's feelings when you did that?"
"I promised Vanessa years ago that if she won the piano competition, I would make her a global star," Theodore said firmly, his gaze unwavering.
Brandon asked, "Keeping promises is good, but don't you know what Ms. Fitzroy thinks? Remember when she and Phoebe fell from the second-floor balcony simultaneously? No one witnessed it, but don't you question it? Tell me honestly, what's on your mind?"
Theodore pursed his lips. "Dad, Vanessa can't swim. She wouldn't risk her life like that."
"So you're saying Miss Fitzroy is innocent, and all the blame lies with Phoebe? She pushed Miss Fitzroy off the balcony and then jumped into the pool herself, almost drowning?"
"I didn't say that," Theodore's brows furrowed.
Brandon sighed deeply, "Theodore, I've always taught you to know what you want in life. Your mom and I are very satisfied with Phoebe, but if you can't let go of Miss Fitzroy, then let Phoebe go early. Don't drag it out and hurt all three of you."
Theodore looked at Brandon in surprise. He thought Brandon would be the most opposed to a divorce, but he was the first to suggest it.
Feeling conflicted, Theodore recalled how Phoebe had come out of Brandon's office earlier, crying so sadly. It was highly likely she had asked Brandon to intervene and push for a divorce.
The more Theodore thought about it, the angrier he became. He asked furiously, "Did Phoebe say something to you to make you suggest a divorce?"
Brandon was taken aback, remembering the incident Phoebe had witnessed earlier. He looked a bit uneasy and cleared his throat. "She didn't say anything."
Brandon's guilty look confirmed to Theodore that Phoebe had indeed said something. He was furious, feeling betrayed after just feeling sorry for her tears.
He thought, ‘Phoebe, you're a sneaky woman!'
Theodore stood up, his voice cold and angry. "Tell her I won't divorce her!"
Theodore hadn't tormented Phoebe enough yet. How could he let her go so easily?
