Forbidden Passion

Chapter 535 Two Slaps

Phoebe glanced at Theodore, noticing his eyes were redder than usual. She leaned in and whispered, "After dinner, you gotta crash. I'll keep an eye on things here." Theodore's voice was smooth and deep. "Nah, I'm good."

Right next to the ICU, there was a chill spot where folks could grab a bite and relax. Sarah and the crew had already headed there. Phoebe nudged Theodore, "You should grab some grub first." "Alright, let's roll together," Theodore said.

They strolled side by side to the rest area. Phoebe filled Theodore in on the company's drama. Brandon's hospital stay was on the down-low, but the buzz about his split with Taylor had the stock market going nuts. The stock tanked five points at the open and hit rock bottom by the early close. Shareholders were losing it, but Curtis was already on damage control.

Theodore just listened, not saying a word.

Phoebe was anxious. "We're keeping it quiet for now, but if Dad stays in the ICU, is the stock market gonna freak out, or..."

Her voice trailed off as she spotted Marlowe and Bishop coming down the hall.

Theodore saw them too, his eyes full of sarcasm. Before he could say anything, Madison stormed over like a pissed-off leopard, blocking Marlowe and Bishop.

She yelled, "How dare you show up here! If it weren't for you, my dad wouldn't be in the ICU, out cold!"

Marlowe looked at the fiery Madison, a sneer playing on her lips. "You're really good at dodging blame."

"Ugly witch, what did you say?" Madison snapped, glaring at Marlowe. Marlowe's face had some nasty nail marks that even makeup couldn't hide.

A slap echoed through the hallway.

The place went dead silent. Madison clutched her stinging cheek, staring in shock at Marlowe, who had just pulled back her hand. "You dare to hit me?" Christopher and Theodore started walking over.

Both of them looked deadly serious, eyes locked on Marlowe. Theodore said coldly, "Ms. Black, apologize to Madison."

a brat in her place?" Marlowe's slap had been so

of her, glaring at Taylor with fury. "You hit my mom, and I'll end you." "What did you say?" Theodore's voice was icy, and the hallway felt like

said coolly, "As a wife, I have every right to discipline a mistress. She should

he was about to go feral.

The tension was thick.

table and shouted, "What the hell are you doing? Isn't one

said, "Theodore, get your mom over here to eat.

Bishop

better," Marlowe said, eyeing

making a comeback, Sarah was a big

"Ms. Black,

and straight-up, but sadly, she was caught up with the

up her fork and got back to eating. Evelyn nudged Phoebe. "Phoebe, let's

shook her head, signaling Phoebe to stay

in a tough

she backed

a maid for the Vanderbilt family for almost twenty years and had picked up some serious skills. She loved trying out new recipes and could whip up all kinds of dishes. While they were chowing down, Bishop and Marlowe headed to the ICU entrance. Bishop saw the clear handprint on Marlowe's face, and his

He spat, "That bitch!"

pulled Bishop back. "Enough. Your dad's still in the

pushing us too far," Bishop

trying

to fight for anything. Even when Brandon kicked her and Bishop out of Kedora, breaking her heart, she

almost ended up paralyzed, watching him go through painful rehab, she couldn't hold