Forbidden Passion

Chapter 575 I Just Want Him Alive

Phoebe sometimes thought Ruby was sharp as a tack, and other times, she thought she was a total airhead. If Vanessa wanted Donovan dead, why would she let Ruby handle it? "If Vanessa wanted to off Donovan, who'd she get to do it?" Phoebe asked.

"I dunno," Ruby said, then suddenly added like she just remembered, "But she's been getting real cozy with Bishop lately, like they're up to something. Donovan's dead, you gotta be careful." Phoebe wasn't sure if she should trust Ruby. After leaving the apartment, she hopped into her car and replayed all the info she'd gathered over the past few days in her head. Milton, Bishop, and Ruby-none of their stories had any holes. So who messed with Donovan's brake pads, and who planted the time bomb in his car?

The murderer's motive remained a mystery.

Milton had no reason to kill Donovan, and Bishop didn't seem like the type to murder over a project. That left Ruby and Vanessa.

But Ruby's grief seemed real. She and Vanessa had already fallen out over Donovan. She wouldn't kill him. Could it be Vanessa?

Her phone buzzed. Phoebe picked it up; it was an email from Bryan.

Phoebe opened the email, finding just one sentence, nothing unusual.

She closed her eyes, her head hitting the back of the seat. She'd asked Bryan to dig into Donovan's activities before he died, and now the reply was that there was nothing unusual.

But Donovan had died so mysteriously. How could she accept that?

She must've missed something.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her hand. Phoebe opened her eyes and glanced at the caller ID. It was Taylor.

Come back to the Reynolds Mansion with Theodore tonight. It's been ages since our family had dinner together, and Grace is getting out of the hospital today. I'm worried she won't adjust

the bridge of her nose, gazing at the sun hanging in the sky outside the car window. If she went to the Reynolds

but thinking of Grace, she couldn't say

replied, "Okay, I'll come

the car for a long time until she was chilled to the bone. Then she started

the Reynolds family was a big deal, so Phoebe needed to get her a gift. After much thought, she picked

lights shone from behind. Phoebe squinted and waited for the car to turn and stop behind her. Phoebe got out of her car and locked eyes with Theodore as he stepped out of his. She shut her car door and walked towards the mansion without a word. Theodore watched Phoebe's cold back and sighed silently. He quickly caught up with her and grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards the nearby garden. "What are you doing? Let go of me!" Phoebe instinctively struggled, but he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to a secluded spot by the wall. Theodore gently pushed her, and Phoebe's back hit the wall. Seeing Theodore's body pressing against her, she quickly bent down to escape, but he pushed her back. Phoebe glared at him, fuming, "What do you

his scarf and wrapped it around her neck. Phoebe's heart pounded. What was Theodore doing? Did he drag her to the garden just to put a scarf on her? Could he try to strangle her? Theodore

reached out and stroked her cheek, "Haven't you been eating well these past two days? You seem to have lost weight

away, took off the scarf, and

oppressive presence, and the surrounding air pressure seemed to drop several degrees, "If you don't want me to care, then

looked up at him, her eyes fearless, "Anyone but

going to keep this up, ignoring me forever?" Theodore tightly gripped the scarf,

a private investigator to look into Donovan's activities before his death. But they

grew hoarse, filled with anger, unwillingness,

been investigating, but in the end,

Phoebe's trembling

forcefully, "Don't touch me!" Phoebe leaned against the wall, her voice filled

who wants him dead. I'm so useless." Hearing Phoebe's self-blame and guilt, Theodore felt equally miserable. He slowly squatted down and, despite her resistance, pulled her into his