Chapter 914 News Headline Alert
Phoebe had a bite mark on her neck, so there was no way she could go back to the party.
They took the elevator down, and Phoebe covered her neck, saying, "Thanks for getting me out of there."
Patrick glanced at her. "Phoebe, I don't usually get involved in other people's drama. If it had been anyone else, I would've just ignored it. But not you."
Phoebe bit her lip.
She'd always been intimidated by Patrick, though she couldn't quite figure out why. "Thanks for your help today."
Patrick's expression was unusually serious. "Phoebe, if you're thinking about reconciling with Theodore, you need to stop messing around with Edward. It's hurting him."
"I wasn't messing around."
Patrick cut her off. "Theodore used to be so distant. Even when he was with Vanessa, he never seemed very lively. After they broke up and he married you, he was full of energy, always talking about you and the baby. I could tell he genuinely loved you and the child. It was unfortunate what happened later. After you miscarried, he was the one who suffered the most."
Phoebe lowered her head, listening to Patrick recount the past without interrupting.
Patrick closed his eyes briefly, his voice cool. "Theodore doesn't like to explain himself. He keeps his thoughts to himself, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. Phoebe, focus more on him. Don't let his feelings for you go to waste."
"I understand. Thank you," Phoebe said sincerely.
Patrick hesitated, then decided to leave it at that.
He believed Phoebe was smart enough to understand what he was trying to convey.
Outside the hotel, a black car pulled up in front of them.
Patrick opened the back door and said to Phoebe, "Get in."
Phoebe nodded, bent down, and got into the car.
Patrick closed the door and instructed the driver to take Phoebe home safely.
On the way, Phoebe received calls from Mary and Cindy.
She explained briefly and asked Mary to tell Bruce that she had left early because she couldn't handle the alcohol.
Cindy, however, wasn't so easily convinced.
After a few questions, she figured out that something had happened.
Phoebe had no choice but to tell her about the incident with Edward and Patrick in the restroom on the third floor.
Cindy was furious. "What is Edward's problem? I used to think he was a gentleman, but now I see he's just a sneaky jerk."
Phoebe rubbed her temples, feeling a dull pain in her neck. "Let's not talk about him anymore, Cindy."
"Phoebe, are you just going to let this go? Aren't you going to fight back?" Cindy couldn't believe Phoebe was being so passive.
Phoebe looked out the window, her reflection showing a trace of melancholy. "Forget it."
"But can Donovan forget it?" Cindy asked pointedly.
Phoebe paused.
Given Donovan's current methods, he definitely wouldn't let it go. "I'll stand by Donovan."
Cindy sighed. "Edward is out of control. Stay away from him. Who knows what he'll do next?"
"I know."
After hanging up, Phoebe tried to rest, but her phone rang again.
This time, it was the company's PR department.
"Ms. Ziegler, you're on the news with Patrick."
Phoebe was stunned.
She quickly put her phone on speaker and opened Facebook.
Sure enough, she saw headlines like #PatrickRomanceExposed and #PatrickMidnightKiss.
Her heart skipped a beat as she clicked on the trending topic.
A marketing account had posted paparazzi photos showing Patrick passionately kissing a woman at the hotel.
The photos were taken from behind, with Patrick's tall frame blocking most of the woman's body, revealing only a fishtail dress.
The last two photos showed Patrick escorting her out of the hotel, with his jacket draped over her shoulders.
The reporters had captured them.
Coincidentally, Phoebe and Cindy were wearing the same dress that night.
With the photos side by side, netizens assumed the woman kissing Patrick was Phoebe.
Even though the headlines didn't mention her, Patrick's popularity dragged her into the spotlight.
Fans flooded in, refusing to believe Patrick would be involved with Phoebe.
Previously, when Phoebe was rumored to be with Noah, fans were calm because Noah had publicly stated he was a fan of Phoebe.
When he signed with Superstar Entertainment, the company invested heavily in him, making him a star.
Fans were satisfied with Phoebe.
But with Patrick, it was different.
Patrick's fans started digging into Phoebe's background, questioning her character.
They were upset about her recent rumors with Evan and now the photos with Patrick, suspecting she was a bad influence.
Most fans waited for Patrick's explanation, but some irrational ones called Phoebe names.
People who disliked Patrick were thrilled, mocking him online for cozying up to Phoebe after previously snubbing female celebrities.
This infuriated his fans, sparking a fierce online battle within minutes.
Phoebe scrolled through a few comments before closing the app.
She told the PR department, "Contact Patrick's team to get this off the headlines. Draft a statement for me to post on Facebook."
"Yes, ma'am."
After hanging up, Phoebe's phone rang incessantly.
She answered, only to hear a magazine reporter asking, "Ms. Ziegler, when did you and Patrick start dating? Are you planning to go public? When's the wedding?"
"We're not dating," Phoebe said firmly, then hung up before the reporter could ask more questions.
Her phone rang again, another unknown number.
She hung up, but the calls kept coming.
Frustrated, she realized her number had been leaked.
She had no choice but to turn off her phone.
The car fell silent.
The driver glanced in the rearview mirror and said, "Ms. Ziegler, Mr. Winston will handle this. Our team is experienced with such news. The hype will die down by tomorrow morning."
Phoebe sighed. "I was careless. With so many celebrities around, I shouldn't have worn Patrick's jacket. This is partly my fault."
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