“She’s Theodore’s old flame, right? It seemed to me Theodore might still have feelings for her. So if you pushed her out of jealousy, I could understand…” “Even you think that about me. What will others think?” Phoebe interjected coolly, her annoyance clear. Her mom was such a naive sweetheart. Despite her mom’s savvy on trivial matters, she always seemed clueless about the big stuff, reveling in her false sense of wit.
Mrs. Ziegler snapped out of it, smacking her forehead. “What am I babbling about, Phoebe? You didn’t push her. So how did you both end up falling?” Actually, on the day of the incident, Mrs. Ziegler had caused quite a scene in Vanessa’s hospital room.
Vanessa, who had been rescued first, didn’t even need hospitalization. But the Fitzroy family insisted, considering the fall was from the second floor, and no one could guarantee she wouldn’t have any complications. Phoebe, having been underwater longer, was still unconscious, but Vanessa was alert and would have been the one to ask about the details of the incident.
Mrs. Ziegler, upon hearing her daughter nearly drowned, had impulsively confronted Vanessa. Theodore happened to be in the room, witnessing the ugly scene unfold, with Mrs. Ziegler hurling unpleasant accusations. However, in front of others, she would always stand by her daughter.
“Are you going to continue with the chicken soup, or shall I help myself?” Phoebe threatened to reach for the bowl, but her mother meticulously avoided her.
After making sure Phoebe finished her soup, Mrs. Ziegler asked again, “You really didn’t push her?”
“Mom!”
Mrs. Ziegler quickly added, “I get it, I get it. Phoebe, Theodore is a good man, and you need to hold on tight. I see that little vixen from the Fitzroy family coming on strong, aiming to snatch Theodore back.” Phoebe lay back on her pillow, silent.
“Did you hear me? The best way to keep a man is to have his child. Theodore is responsible-he’ll surely come back to you once you’re pregnant,” Mrs. Ziegler insisted. Phoebe remained speechless.
Why did every conversation with her mom circle back to having kids? It was hopeless.
Suddenly, the hospital room door swung open, and both women looked up in unison to see Vanessa standing there, an image of frail beauty. Phoebe narrowed her eyes.
The first time she saw Vanessa on the big screen, she thought her striking beauty and talent meant she was destined for lead roles.
But after a few encounters, Phoebe realized she was nothing but a bitch-a pure and harmless façade disguising a dark and conniving heart.
“Auntie, I’ve come to see Miss Ziegler,” Vanessa said gently, holding a fruit basket by the door, showing none of the craziness from that day on the terrace.
Mrs. Ziegler glanced at Phoebe with an icy tone, “Phoebe’s worn out. Why don’t you come back another time?”
“I’ll just say a few words and leave.” Vanessa entered, carrying a fruit basket. Her voice was subdued, but her demeanor was assertive.
Phoebe bit her lip and turned to Mrs. Ziegler. “Mom, could you check with the doctor when I can be discharged?”
Mrs. Ziegler’s lips twitched, wise to Phoebe’s ploy to get her out of the room. Without a word, she left, carefully closing the door behind her.
She feigned the sound of her footsteps fading away, then tiptoed back, pressing her ear against the door to eavesdrop.
Phoebe arched an eyebrow, sizing up Vanessa, who looked stunning and stood out with her flawless makeup, “Miss Fitzroy must be feeling quite smug now, huh?”