“I heard you were unconscious for another two days?”

Her tone could be taken as somewhat gloating.

Phoebe responded coolly, “Thanks to you.”

That day, facing Edward, she was sure he had no hint of aggression as he approached them. If Vanessa hadn’t screamed, the situation would have never escalated to this point. But Vanessa showed not even a hint of remorse. With her legs crossed and her heels swinging leisurely, Vanessa looked unbothered, “Seems like you’re recovering well enough.”

Phoebe licked her back teeth, “Lucky me, not dead yet.”

“Is that so? What a pity,” Vanessa remarked.

Phoebe was momentarily speechless.

She really was impressively vile.

“So, Miss Fitzroy, did you come by today to see if I was dead or not?”

Vanessa smiled gently, “Miss Ziegler, there’s no need for such hostility. I just came to check on you.”

Phoebe scoffed, “Sorry, I can’t appreciate your concern.”

“Hey,” Vanessa said, “what I did that day was just to see who mattered more to Theodore, you or me. If he had truly fallen for you, indifferent to my wellbeing, I would have stepped back.”

“After all, your three years of being together day and night could certainly threaten our decade-long bond. I was uncertain, so I had to verify for myself.”

“You’re insane!” Phoebe was utterly infuriated, her eyes rimmed with red.

Unruffled, Vanessa smiled smugly, “Yeah, I am quite crazy, so you definitely don’t want to see just how far I’d go to win him back.”

Phoebe stared at her wild expression, realizing that Vanessa came today to intimidate her.

“Then bring it on. I’m not scared of you,” Phoebe said defiantly.

Vanessa watched her steadily. She hadn’t intended to trigger Phoebe’s rebellious spirit; all she wanted was to instill a psychological fear of her ruthlessness. But she had underestimated Phoebe.

She shook her head. “Phoebe, Edward still loves you. He fought Theodore over you. Doesn’t that stir anything in your heart?”

Phoebe pressed her lips together tightly.

She had to admit Vanessa was skilled in mental warfare. Her actions, seemingly mad, were all calculated moves aimed at manipulating emotions.

The day they had both fallen into the water, Theodore had saved Vanessa, dealing Phoebe a devastating blow.

Then, in the hospital’s garden, Vanessa had set her up, and Theodore had chosen Vanessa again, leaving Phoebe by the lake to kill her hope once more.

And finally, the punch she took for Edward. Theodore must have thought her old flame for Edward had reignited. If he had any lingering affection, it would have turned to dust. “Miss Fitzroy sure plays a clever game,” Phoebe said with an ironic smile.

Vanessa knew Phoebe was smart. A little reflection on the recent events would unveil her intentions.

Her rival had not disappointed.

Only when they were equally matched did she not feel the humiliation of being usurped all those years ago.

“Pot calling the kettle black, Miss Ziegler. Didn’t you secure your place in the Reynolds family by getting pregnant with Theodore’s child?”

Phoebe’s lips twitched, but she said nothing in her defense.