Suddenly, as if sensing something, Brandon looked her way.

Even at a distance, Vanessa’s heart skipped a beat, fearing recognition. She pretended to answer a call, averting Brandon’s sharp gaze.

Satisfied with a glance, Brandon pulled the woman into a nearby residential area.

Vanessa didn’t follow. Knowing which complex housed Brandon’s mistress, her plan was to unwittingly lead Phoebe there and have Mrs. Reynolds catch them. Just thinking about the scene made her pulse race with excitement.

‘Phoebe, just you wait. Your days are numbered!’ Vanessa thought.

Phoebe stood across the street, absorbing everything – Vanessa’s calculating expression didn’t escape her. What she couldn’t figure out was Vanessa’s angle. ‘Informing Mrs. Reynolds of Brandon’s tryst is a thankless task, and might even draw her ire.

Vanessa, however foolish, won’t be dumb enough to stir that pot.

Why is she so excited?’ Phoebe thought to herself.

Across the street, Vanessa suddenly made her way to the curb. Phoebe instinctively shifted aside, catching a glimpse from the corner of her eye as Vanessa hailed a taxi and sped off. Phoebe exhaled softly in relief. She didn’t dare linger, lest Brandon catch her there. She wouldn’t be able to explain herself, even if she tried.

After taking a taxi back to the Reynolds Group headquarters, Phoebe paid the fare and stepped out. At the entrance of the towering building, a security guard stopped her. “Ma’am, could you please show your ID?”

Having been in and out of Reynolds Group’s building for years, this was the first time Phoebe had been asked for her credentials. She arched an eyebrow and removed her mask. The guard did a double-take. “Miss Ziegler, it’s you! I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Phoebe had always dressed sharply for business. Back when she was Theodore’s personal assistant, she was almost exclusively seen in suits, distinguishable only by whether she wore a skirt or trousers.

Since her transfer to QUEEN Entertainment, her style had relaxed slightly – no more suits with white shirts. Instead, she opted for oversized blazers over white tees, embodying a blend of effortless chic and trendy freshness. Today, her outfit consisted of high-waisted palazzo pants and a knotted white T-shirt revealing a glimpse of her midriff, with a blazer tied around her waist, exuding a street-style vibe that threw the guard off. Phoebe’s smile became tinged with a shy pride. “Picked up a few tricks from the artists at the company, is it that big of a change?”

The guard complimented, “You look great, very cool.”

Phoebe flashed him a thumbs up and proceeded inside.

She hurried into the elevator as it arrived, panting slightly as she pressed the floor button and then realized she wasn’t alone.

Lifting her gaze, she found herself locking eyes with a pair of cold, cynically narrowed ones.

Phoebe paused, speechless.

Sometimes fate liked to play cruel jokes. The person you think you won’t see for a long while reappears within an hour, staring back at you with an intense, almost vengeful gaze. Yeah, pretty daunting.

Feeling uneasy, Phoebe felt her stomach clench and a mild ache started to spread across her back. She looked away.

“What a coincidence, Mr. Reynolds.”

Theodore’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile as his piercing gaze swept over her from top to bottom, naturally not missing the bare sliver of her midriff. “Where have you been cavorting?”

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