Forbidden Passion

Chapter 696 She Doesn't Like Phoebe

Phoebe pulled out a jewelry box and a check from her bag and handed them to Theodore.

"Mr. Reynolds, thanks for your help last night, but I don't like owing people," Phoebe said, all serious.

Theodore glanced at Phoebe's wrist. The bruises from being tied up were gone, but they left a mark on his heart.

He gently took her wrist. Phoebe flinched and tried to pull away, but he led her towards the office. "Let's talk inside."

Inside, everything was just like she remembered. Even her old desk was still there.

Phoebe pulled her hand back and walked to the desk. It was spotless, with a computer, some files, and her usual coffee mug.

This place, like her old apartment, was stuck in time from the day she left.

She felt a mix of emotions and turned to Theodore, who was standing nearby. "Doesn't the desk take up space here?"

Back then, Theodore insisted on moving her workspace to the CEO's office. She never got why. It seemed out of place, but he kept it there. Theodore walked over and leaned on the desk, looking deep into her eyes. "No, it doesn't."

Phoebe felt uneasy.

She placed the jewelry box and check on the desk and pushed them towards Theodore. "I have to go."

Theodore sighed and stood up straight. "I'll see you out."

"No need, Mr. Reynolds, please stay." Phoebe raised her hand to stop him. He didn't insist, and she walked out of the office.

door closed behind her, and Phoebe closed her

felt nervous and oppressed. If she could,

suddenly appearing in front of her. She quickly stepped back and, seeing who it

smiled faintly. "Long

arms with Phoebe and pulled her away from

bunch of snacks from the drawer, looking like she wanted

on TV, I almost didn't recognize you. Is that really the Ms. Ziegler I know? You've changed so much, for the better,"

"How have you all

Reynolds," Carol said, watching her closely. "Since you left, he's become

nodded. "I can

five billion dollars in cash from nearby cities' banks. Mr. Reynolds didn't hesitate to decide to save you first. But Miss Fitzroy's parents somehow found out about her kidnapping

Phoebe

"Mr. Reynolds still wanted to save you first, but they begged him to save Miss Fitzroy. He didn't give in until Sophia had a heart attack and

up, almost knocking over her chair. She looked distressed. "Carol,

she grabbed her bag and hurried out of the stifling

a few steps but then stopped, raising her hand to

and stop talking nonsense?" A

startled to see Theodore leaning against the office door. She straightened up and said weakly,

closed elevator door to Carol, who looked like she

hands tightly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Reynolds. I shouldn't have

turned

staring blankly ahead. Her reflection in the shiny metal wall

elevator wall awkwardly smiled back, looking like a sad, ridiculous

had passed, and Phoebe thought

being abandoned, the fear of watching her life slip away-those