Forbidden Passion

Theodore held a cigarette between his fingers, white smoke swirling around him. His gaze pierced through the smoke, sharp as a knife.

Theodore quietly watched Phoebe as she walked towards him.

Phoebe stopped a short distance in front of Theodore and said coldly, "Why are you here? Don't tell me you were waiting for me?"

Theodore's gaze slid from her face to her neck, and then to her fingers hanging by her side. Suddenly, Theodore reached out and grabbed her left hand before Phoebe could

react.

Theodore looked down and saw her empty ring finger. The nameless anger in his heart instantly dissipated.

"Where's the ring?" Theodore asked her.

Phoebe tried to pull her hand back but couldn't. She turned her head away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

A faint smile appeared in Theodore's eyes. Seeing her get out of a taxi alone, Theodore had already guessed the outcome of Edward's grand proposal.

It wasn't until he confirmed that there was no ring on her finger that Theodore's heart finally settled. He held her wrist and leaned back against the streetlamp.

Phoebe took two steps forward, almost bumping into Theodore. Catching a glimpse of the smile on Theodore's face, she said, "I didn't reject Edward because of you."

"I know," Theodore's lips curved slightly, unable to hide his good mood. "The fact that you didn't give him a chance means I still have a chance."

Phoebe's eyes shifted.

"Mr. Reynolds, I've told you I won't accept your pursuit. Just because I rejected Edward doesn't mean you have a chance. You're still someone I've passed on."

Theodore tightened his grip on her wrist. Just as Phoebe was about to pull her hand back, Theodore grabbed her forcefully, pulling her into his arms.

"I'm better than Edward. You can still give it a try, Phoebe. Aren't you curious about what I'm like now?"

Phoebe's face turned red with embarrassment, suspecting that Theodore was flirting with her.

She didn't struggle and mockingly said, "Mr. Reynolds, you're almost thirty, right? You're a few years older than Edward. Are you sure you're better than him?"

"Do you want to find out if I'm better?" Theodore whispered seductively in her ear. Phoebe's face turned cold. "No need."

Theodore tightened his arms, holding her close, his chin gently brushing her earlobe, his tone bewitching.

"Really? I won't be as reckless as before. I'll take care of your feelings. You'll really miss out if you don't give it a shot."

Phoebe pressed a hand against Theodore's chest. "Mr. Reynolds, with your lousy bedroom skills, don't embarrass yourself. I'm really not interested."

Any man would feel hurt by such a doubt, and Theodore was no exception. He suddenly turned her around, pinning her against the streetlamp.

The next second, Theodore bit her lip and kissed her passionately, not giving her a chance to breathe. The intensity of the kiss left Phoebe's legs weak.

When Theodore finally let her go, she almost fell, but Theodore quickly caught her.

A muffled laugh came from his chest. Theodore raised his hand to wipe the corner of her mouth and pecked her lips lightly, feeling pleased. "How was it? Lousy?"

Phoebe inwardly admitted that Theodore's kiss did make her feel good.

But seeing the smug look on Theodore's face, she stubbornly said, "It was okay."

Theodore rested his chin on her shoulder, chuckling twice. "Since it was okay, why don't we give it a try?"

Phoebe bit her lip, arrogantly saying, "I'll think about it."noveldrama

Theodore immediately stood up straight, looking at her intently. This was the first time she had given him a positive response since returning to the country. Theodore could hardly believe it.

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Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "Yes, can you let me go now?"

After all, she only said she would consider it, not that she would definitely agree. It was late, and she didn't want to continue this battle of wits with him.

"I'll walk you to the villa."

"No need, I'll go back myself," Phoebe said.

Theodore squinted at her. "Afraid I'll find out which house is yours? Phoebe, if I really wanted to know, you couldn't stop me."

Phoebe pursed her lips, knowing Theodore was right. If Theodore really wanted to know, she couldn't stop him, just like she couldn't hide the existence of Hubert, Boris, and Noomi.

The only saving grace was that Theodore hadn't suspected her yet; otherwise, she would have never been able to keep it from him.

"Let's go." Theodore held her hand and walked towards the villa area. The crisp sound

of her high heels echoed on the quiet street.

She struggled a few times but couldn't pull her hand back, so she gave up and let Theodore lead her.

Theodore's other hand was in his pocket, looking relaxed and at ease.

While waiting for her outside the villa area, Theodore had even thought that if Phoebe dared to accept Edward's proposal, he would lock her up.

Theodore had even planned what he would do to her if he locked her up, aiming to erase Edward's influence on her heart.

But Phoebe had obediently returned.

On the quiet path, shadows of trees swayed on both sides, and the streetlights stretched their shadows long until they overlapped, becoming inseparable.

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"Why didn't you accept Edward's proposal?" Theodore suddenly asked. Phoebe walked slowly, her high heels tiring her feet. "I don't know." Theodore squinted his eyes, dissatisfied with Phoebe's answer. "Compared to many men, Edward is excellent enough. He's deeply in love with you, and his family background is enough to protect you in Kedora. I also saw today's citywide proposal drone show. Honestly, from an outsider's perspective, it should be touching. Why did you reject him?"

Phoebe stopped and looked at Theodore, who had also stopped. She said, "It's rare for you to praise him."

"My dislike for him is one thing, but acknowledging his excellence is another. They don't conflict," Theodore said, in a great mood.

In the past, Theodore cared so much about Edward because he always thought Edward

was Phoebe's first love. But now, things were different.

Edward's proposal was rejected, and he no longer posed any threat to Theodore. Criticizing a defeated rival now would make him seem petty.

Although, Theodore secretly felt delighted.

Seeing Theodore's sincere expression, Phoebe thought that if she had accepted Edward's proposal today, Theodore probably wouldn't have said that.

"We're here." Phoebe stopped in front of her house and looked up at Theodore. "Mr. Reynolds, this is as far as you go. Please leave."

Theodore glanced into the yard. The streetlights were dim, and the lights were on downstairs in the villa. Knowing that Phoebe lived here, Theodore felt a warmth in his heart.

"Won't you invite me in for a cup of coffee?"

"Drinking coffee this late, I'm afraid you won't be able to sleep and will blame me," Phoebe said indifferently.

Theodore looked at her, knowing exactly what she was resisting. He took a step

forward, closing the distance between them. "No coffee, then. How about a goodbye

kiss?"