After Phoebe joined Queen Entertainment, her title and salary still came from the Reynolds Group. So, to quit, she had to send her resignation to the headquarters’ HR. Phoebe sent the email, turned off her phone, and collapsed onto the bed. She thought she would stay up all night, but she fell asleep right away.

She woke up in the afternoon, hungry. Staring at the familiar ceiling, she felt disoriented before checking her phone.

It was 3:30 PM, and she had an email.

Phoebe sat up, unlocked her phone, and read the email. It was from HR: [Ms. Ziegler, sorry, Mr. Reynolds does not approve your resignation!]

She read it several times before it sank in. She was instantly furious.

What was Theodore playing at?

Phoebe gritted her teeth and called HR. They answered quickly, sounding nervous. “Ms. Ziegler, we can’t approve your resignation. Please don’t make this hard for us.” Clearly, they were covering their backs.

Phoebe sneered. “Got it.”

She hung up and tossed her phone onto the bed, fuming.

Phoebe thought, ‘Fine, Theodore. Think I can’t leave because you said no?’

Rubbing her temples, she got out of bed, put on her slippers, and walked out. The hallway was smoky, like a scene from a fairy tale.

Covering her nose, she walked into the living room and saw Theodore on the sofa, looking grim with a half-burned cigarette. The ashtray was overflowing.

He’d been back for a while.

She glanced at him and headed to the kitchen.

“Stop!” Theodore’s cold voice called out.

Phoebe paused but kept going. She opened the fridge, grabbed the medicine, and angrily tossed it in the trash.

Phoebe thought, ‘Why should I take medicine and have a kid? With Theodore acting like this, I would’ve kicked him out ages ago. Why am I putting up with this?’ She was so mad she stomped on the medicine for good measure.

Theodore walked in and saw her. Her behavior startled him, making him forget why he came in.

He stared at her. “Phoebe.”

Phoebe stiffened, braced herself on the counter, and slowly retracted her foot. She casually flipped her hair, acting like nothing happened.

She turned to Theodore and looked him in the eye. “Why didn’t you approve my resignation?”

Who told her to focus on family life last night? Now that she resigned, he wouldn’t approve it. Did his words mean nothing?

Theodore frowned. “Phoebe, can’t you show a little humility in front of me?”

“Humility?” Phoebe scoffed. “Maybe in the next life, Theodore. If you’re a man, keep your word and approve my resignation.” Theodore’s anger flared. He stormed into the kitchen. “Phoebe, You should have the best say in whether I’m a man or not.”

“You!” Phoebe gritted her teeth, glaring at him. “Approve it or not, I’m resigning. No way I’m working for Vanessa.”

She’d never work under Vanessa.

Theodore leaned on the counter, eyeing her defiant look. “What if I insist you on helping her?”

Phoebe didn’t back down. “Then it’s her or me. You can try it..”

“Phoebe!” Theodore roared, grabbing her neck and pulling her close. His breath, reeking of tobacco, hit her face. “Are you threatening me with death?” “Yes!” Phoebe shot back.

Theodore, enraged, tightened his grip, knowing a bit more pressure would snap her neck.

“Do you want to die, Phoebe? Killing you is easier than killing a cat. Want to try?” he asked.

Phoebe showed no fear, not even blinking. She smiled faintly, a muffled laugh escaping her chest.

“What are you laughing at?” he demanded.

“Having you personally kill me makes my worthless life worth something,” Phoebe mocked.

Theodore was livid. He grabbed her hair, forcing her to expose her neck.

At that moment, he genuinely wanted to kill her.

If Phoebe was permanently silenced, she’d stop driving him crazy. She’d be peaceful, fragile, and gentle in his arms.

Theodore slowly tightened his grip, the pain of suffocation forcing Phoebe to open her mouth. From his angle, he could see her bright red lips.

He squinted, leaned in, and captured her lips. At the same time, his grip loosened, and he held the back of her head, kissing her fiercely.

Phoebe wouldn’t submit. She struggled, trying to bite him, but he grabbed her jaw, immobilizing her.

Theodore’s teeth broke her lip, and warm blood flowed out. He sucked on her blood.

After a while, he slightly released her lips, his voice suppressed with rage, “It’s hard to believe that a heartless woman like you has warm blood.” Phoebe’s eyes filled with tears, red marks from his grip on her neck. She leaned against the counter, gasping for air.

She laughed. “I also find it hard to believe that someone as cold-hearted as you thinks others are heartless.”

Theodore’s fists clenched again.

His gaze swept over the red marks on her neck. He took a deep breath, turned, and slammed the door as he left. He feared that if he stayed any longer, he might actually kill her. Hearing the door slam, Phoebe could no longer stand. She slid down the counter, sitting on the floor, gasping for breath.

Theodore’s name was like a thorn in her heart, impossible to remove and painful to touch. She covered her eyes with her hand, her palm wet with tears.

Years ago, Phoebe had told Edward she never regretted joining the Reynolds Group. But now, if given another chance, she’d stay far away from it without hesitation.

She’d never want to encounter Theodore, who caused her so much pain, ever again!

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