Chapter 7
Phoebe put her items into the cardboard box and smiled. "Who can understand Mr. Reynolds' mind? We just follow orders."
"But are you okay with this?" Carol asked softly.
Phoebe was taken aback and her smile faded.
Even though Theodore was her husband, as his legitimate wife, she not only had to step aside for Vanessa in matters of love, but also would work under Vanessa. Could she truly accept this?
So, Vanessa was the one Theodore truly loved?
Vanessa was still abroad and hadn't even returned yet, but Theodore had already prepared everything for her. Once she came back, everyone would flock to her.
Carol and Phoebe had a good relationship. Seeing Phoebe's lost expression, Carol immediately complained on her behalf, "Phoebe, you've been with Mr. Reynolds for three years. I thought things would be smoother, but he's colder than I thought. ."
"Carol, be careful with your words," Phoebe gently reminded Carol.
Carol realized she had misspoken and quickly covered her mouth, but her face still showed indignation.
Phoebe sighed, took a manual from her box, and handed it to Carol. "This is a record of some of Mr. Reynolds' habits that I kept. You can use it as a reference. After I'm gone, be mindful."
Carol accepted the notebook like it was a treasure, but after flipping through a few pages, his face fell. "Mr. Reynolds is so demanding. Phoebe, you've had a tough few years."
Phoebe didn't know what to say. She could only pat Carol on the shoulder, pick up the cardboard box, and walk out of the secretary's office, taking the elevator to the seventeenth floor.
Although QUEEN Entertainment was an independently operated subsidiary, its office area was still located in the Reynolds Group building. Theodore had cleared an entire floor to welcome Vanessa.
Phoebe quickly completed a series of onboarding procedures, and John Wolf from the HR department took her to her office.
Phoebe's new office was much smaller compared to the secretary's office. Although it was small, it had a desk and a sofa, and the lighting was good. It was said that it enjoyed sunlight from morning till evening.
On the desk, besides the usual office supplies, there was a shiny nameplate engraved with "Artist Manager Phoebe."
Phoebe was quite satisfied with her new office. The only downside was that there was no rest area, so she could only nap on the sofa.
Looking at the sunlight outside the window, Phoebe thought that her life would finally be free after leaving Theodore.
"Phoebe, these are the files for the artists we're looking to sign. You'll be in charge of managing their work moving forward. Here are the details," John mentioned, placing a stack of files on Phoebe's desk.
"Thank you, John," Phoebe smiled and said gentlely.
John felt a bit shy and couldn't help but take another look at Phoebe.
Everyone knew Phoebe, the former chief secretary at the Reynolds Group's office. Every time John saw Phoebe, she was always standing straight and composed behind Theodore, making people afraid to look directly at her.
But after actually interacting with her, John realized she wasn't as distant and unapproachable as he had imagined. On the contrary, Phoebe was very gentle and kind.
Phoebe didn't know John's thoughts and started flipping through the files. She immediately saw Vanessa's photo and was stunned. John glanced at it and laughed.
"She's the top star our company is currently working with. Mr. Reynolds is personally overseeing her management and has allocated a significant amount of resources. There's a rumor that they used to have a relationship, and Mr. Reynolds spared no expense in establishing QUEEN Entertainment solely to welcome her back."
Phoebe's heart tightened. "Really?"
John failed to pick up on Phoebe's unusual behavior and excitedly shared the juicy gossip he had heard with her.
"Phoebe, you were with Mr. Reynolds every day and didn't know? They say he's head over heels for Vanessa. He's been solo all this time just holding out for her return. . We're all guessing that Mr. Reynolds set up QUEEN Entertainment in the Reynolds Group building to conveniently develop feelings with Vanessa while working and to get back together with her."
Phoebe's face turned a bit pale. Yes, she had been by Theodore's side every day, yet she hadn't heard any of these rumors.
But come to think of it, everyone thought she was Theodore's trusted aide. Even if there were rumors, no one would dare say them in front of her, fearing Theodore would find out.
John continued, "Last month, at the international piano competition, Mr. Reynolds flew to Nyxonia specifically for Vanessa. There's even a rumor that a reporter caught Mr. Reynolds going to Vanessa's room in the middle of the night and not coming out until morning. The photos and news were bought off at a high price by Mr. Reynolds. Do you think they might have already gotten back together?"
"John!" Phoebe couldn't listen any longer and abruptly interrupted John, "You should go now. I'll look over the files and get back to you."
John, seeing Phoebe's unpleasant expression, regretted his words. He realized he shouldn't have shared all that gossip.
Phoebe was Theodore's former chief secretary. Gossiping about Theodore's rumors in front of her was asking for trouble. What if it got back to Theodore?
John couldn't help but shiver and quickly tried to explained, "Phoebe, I'm just saying that. These are just idle rumors people spread when they have nothing better to do. Don't take them seriously."
"Okay, go get busy," Phoebe waved her hand dismissively, not wanting to dwell on the topic.
John left the office, feeling uneasy but unable to say anything more.
After he left, Phoebe's composed demeanor crumbled. She realized that the widespread rumors circulating in the company about Theodore and Vanessa.
Everyone in the building probably knew, except for her.
Theodore's true girlfriend, Vanessa, was coming back from abroad.
In the past, Phoebe wouldn't have cared much. Her marriage to Theodore was meant to be a marriage of convenience. With the loss of their child, their marriage should have ended.
But ever since she saw Theodore at the piano competition last night, Phoebe's indifferent attitude had quietly changed. She couldn't forget the way Theodore looked at Vanessa with such focused attention.
So, Theodore could look at someone he loved with such deep affection?
Theodore had never looked at her with such passionate and loving eyes.
It turned out that besides the cold hatred he had for her, Theodore could also have such intense and burning love for another woman.
Theodore would also thoughtfully prepare everything for the woman he liked.
Phoebe forced a bitter smile and spent the entire afternoon reading the files, trying to understand the artists she would soon be managing. This was a completely unfamiliar field for her, and it gave her a headache.
But fortunately, Phoebe had always been smart and quick to learn. After a whole day of research, she confirmed one thing.
Vanessa held Theodore's heart. Even prior to the official agreement, QUEEN Entertainment was already pampering her with top-notch treatment.
As for the other startlets, they could only be sent to talent shows for some experience before deciding whether to debut them.
After finishing her work, Phoebe looked out the window to see that night had completely fallen.
Phoebe walked to the elevator, ready to leave, when she heard the exclusive elevator for the president open.
Phoebe looked up and met Theodore's eyes.
Phoebe didn't move because she was no longer the chief secretary and couldn't enjoy that privilege.
The elevator doors slowly closed in front of her.
Just as Phoebe was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the doors inexplicably opened again.
Inside, Theodore frowned slightly, his voice cold and deep. "Why are you standing there? Waiting for my invite to come in?"
Phoebe was at a loss for words for a moment before stepping into the elevator. She instinctively stood a step behind Theodore.
Theodore turned his head, his face fell. "What are you doing? Why are you standing so far away?"
Phoebe looked confused. "Isn't this the right position? You used to say this is where I should stand, not to overstep."
Theodore's jaw tightened. When Phoebe was his secretary, standing behind him was natural. But she wasn't his secretary now.
Theodore didn't bother to say more. He grabbed her and pushed her against the metal wall.
Phoebe was startled, and before she could cry out in pain, Theodore pinned her against the wall.
"Are you angry? Trying to provoke me?" Theodore's warm breath brushed against her face. "Do you dislike QUEEN Entertainment so much that you'd rather stay by my side?"
