She looked up at him, her eyes still filled with scorn, “Don’t you feel any guilt toward Vanessa? She’s been waiting for you for three whole years.” Theodore leaned in close and exhaled smoke right onto her fair complexion, watching as she coughed violently. He smirked with satisfaction, saying, “She’ll understand.” Damn it!

Phoebe rarely swore, but Theodore’s actions tonight had her breaking all her rules. She wiped away the tears brought on by the choking and coughing, stood up leaning against the wall, and through gritted teeth spat out, “You two are a perfect match; you’re nothing but a pair of lowlifes!”

With those final words, she pushed past him and locked herself in the bathroom.

For the following days, Phoebe avoided going to QUEEN Entertainment; instead, she called Cindy to join her on shopping sprees. If it was expensive, she’d buy it all on Theodore’s credit card.

She’d had an epiphany: her relentless work over the past two years was meaningless. She couldn’t match what Theodore made by signing a single big deal. Since she’d been fulfilling her marital duties, why pretend to be virtuous and not spend his money?

Society already labeled her a gold digger for marrying him, so why not own the reputation she’d been given?

As a form of retribution, she used Theodore’s credit card with abandon, setting off a constant stream of notification chimes on his phone from morning till night.

At first, he was surprised to see the bank alerts, as Phoebe had never been willing to use his card throughout their three years of marriage. She guarded that line as fiercely as her own ludicrous pride.

Now, reading the text alerts, Theodore experienced a complex mix of emotions. He wasn’t upset, nor entirely happy, but he felt as if his earning money had finally gained meaning.

On that day, when he saw her limp into the bathroom, he felt a twinge of guilt, but overpowering it was… satisfaction.

Yes, satisfaction.

“Mr. Reynolds, John from QUEEN Entertainment wants to see you should I let him in?” Carol asked tentatively from the doorway.

Theodore snapped back to reality and wiped his face; his amorous expression swiftly turned indifferent. He nodded nonchalantly, “Let him in.”

Since John was entering Theodore’s office for the first time alone, respect for his boss was evident in his demeanor. He knocked and walked in, saying, “Mr. Reynolds, there are quite a few documents at QUEEN Entertainment that require Miss Ziegler’s signature, but she told me over the phone that she’s no longer in charge and advised that you send someone to handle things soon.”

It didn’t take much for John to surmise that there had been a fallout between Phoebe and Theodore the reason she hadn’t shown up at the company.

Theodore frowned slightly, “I’m aware.”

John hesitated before adding, “Mr. Reynolds, I don’t know what issues have arisen between you and Miss Ziegler, but I feel it’s only fair to speak on her behalf. Ever since she took over QUEEN Entertainment, she’s worked tirelessly and made decisions solely for the company’s betterment. I doubt whoever you choose to replace her could match her dedication.”

Theodore’s eyebrow lifted as he observed John’s earnest posture and the admiration in John’s eyes when he spoke of Phoebe. He furrowed his brow.

“John, just do your job. Staffing changes at the executive level are not within the sphere of an assistant’s influence.”

John appeared disconcerted and lacked the conviction to resist; he left the CEO’s office visibly deflated.

Theodore tapped his fingers on the desk, then abruptly stood up, grabbing his car keys and striding out of the office. Carol hurried towards him. “Mr. Reynolds, you have a meeting in five minutes…”

“Cancel my afternoon appointments. I’ve got to step out. Call me if anything comes up,” Theodore ordered crisply, already stepping into the elevator. As the doors closed, his phone vibrated. He checked the message, and his lips curled into a faint smile.

Perfect. He was en route to Hermès to catch his runaway director!

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