Forbidden Passion

Chapter 169 How Ironic

As Vanessa stepped out of the Reynolds Mansion, the sunlight could not maintain the luster on her face, which twisted into a scowl. The fickleness of human affection struck her with cruel clarity. Once the beloved darling of the family, now she was replaced, her place in their hearts usurped by another within a mere span of three years.

Phoebe was nothing more than a daughter of a housemaid, so how had she ensnared the hearts of the Reynolds clan? The question gnawed at Vanessa as jealousy burned hotly in her veins. Her train of bitter thoughts was abruptly derailed by the insistent buzzing of her phone. Seeing Ruby's name flash across the screen only fueled her irritation, and she flung the device onto the car's center console in annoyance.

The phone continued to ring, and finally, out of irritation, she grabbed it and answered, "Ruby, what is it?"

Ruby, sensing something amiss in her voice, quickly asked, "Vanessa, what's wrong? Did you get upset again? Did that wretch Phoebe make you suffer?"

Vanessa sniffled, "It's nothing; I'm really fine."

"I knew it," Ruby declared with conviction. "Don't worry, Vanessa, I'll take care of her sooner or later." The things Vanessa couldn't handle herself; Ruby would handle.

Vanessa's tears turned into laughter, "Ruby, thank you. It's so good to have you as a friend."

at Vanessa's words, asking, "You sound upset.

meet, and Vanessa hung up, her

her being with Theodore,

parked the car, and got

her phone, she didn't notice someone coming her way and bumped into them. Her phone fell to the ground. Without bothering to pick it up, she immediately apologized to the person she had collided with. "I'm

woman, probably around Mrs. Reynolds's age, with well-maintained

was Brandon. They were in a pose that was intimate,

lowered her head, the cap hiding most of her face. She wasn't

asked the woman in his

woman's voice was tender and carried a hint

"Glad you're okay. Young lady, you

disguised her voice and apologized,

gave Vanessa one last glance before

far enough away, Vanessa bent down to