Phoebe was shocked, almost thinking she was imagining things. She even held her breath for a moment. After Theodore’s affectionate words, he felt shy, cleared his throat, and didn’t say more.

“Charge is over. I’m ready again,” Theodore said.

When Theodore let go, Phoebe felt a bit lost. She saw him stepping over broken porcelain pieces.

Those were antiques.

Phoebe remembered when she first joined the CEO’s office and went to an auction with Theodore. She had really liked those antiques. They paid three million dollars after several bids. She was devastated. If Theodore had asked, she would have said no.

Porcelain is fragile, just like their marriage.

Phoebe stood still for a few seconds, then went to get a broom.

Carol saw Phoebe with the broom and quickly took it from her. “Ms. Ziegler, let me do it.”

“It’s okay.” Phoebe felt down. She waved her hand and walked past Carol.

Theodore was behind his desk. He looked up at Phoebe, who was cleaning the broken pieces, and said, “I remember you liked this antique.” Theodore remembered Phoebe being surprised. She said, “It’s broken now. I’m just sad about the three million dollars.”

She was more than a bit sad.

With her salary, it would take years to earn three million dollars. And now it was broken.

Rich people were so unpredictable!

Theodore smiled. “We’ll buy a new one at the next auction.”

Phoebe carefully swept up all the pieces, even under the sofa and in the corners. She muttered, “Even if we buy another, it won’t be the same.” She sneered inwardly. ‘Men are always so fickle.’

Theodore didn’t hear her muttering but saw her displeasure. He raised an eyebrow, “What are you grumbling about now?”

Phoebe looked up, smiling. “I don’t like these fragile things anymore. Let’s just buy from the flea market next time.” “Flea market?” Theodore was puzzled.

Phoebe swept the pieces into the trash and explained, “It’s a market where you can buy anything. It’s cheap and practical.” Theodore laughed. “Alright, we’ll go there next time.”

Phoebe was momentarily dazzled by Theodore’s bright smile. She remembered the tense atmosphere between Theodore and Brandon when she and Taylor had just come in. Phoebe asked, “So, do you really have nothing to say to me?”

Theodore stared at her for a moment, then beckoned her with his finger. “Come here.”

Phoebe thought Theodore had more to say. She walked over and looked at him across the desk. “Go ahead. I can hear you.”

Theodore shook his head. “Still too far.”

Phoebe leaned over the desk, her upper body crossing the surface, slightly tilting her head to expose her ear. “Is this close enough?” Theodore’s gaze sharpened. He suddenly held the back of her neck and kissed her.

Theodore’s kiss was gentle yet irresistible, exploring tenderly.

He swept through her lips and teeth, his nose brushing against hers, overly intimate. After a while, Theodore finally let go, breathing lightly. Phoebe’s eyes were misty. She stared at Theodore, looking as innocent as a child.

Theodore leaned back, satisfied, with a hint of her lipstick on his lips. “I’m fine. You can go back to work.”

“Okay.” Phoebe walked out awkwardly, then remembered the broom. She quickly went back, grabbed it, and hurried out.

Theodore watched her cute actions, amused.

Carol saw Phoebe’s blush and tiptoed over, teasing softly, “Looks like I don’t need to worry anymore.”

Phoebe quickly handed her the broom. “I’m heading down.”

Carol watched Phoebe disappear behind the elevator doors, laughing. She hadn’t noticed Phoebe was so easily embarrassed.

But Phoebe and Theodore were really sweet. Theodore had actually acted cute with Phoebe earlier, and Taylor seemed to treat Phoebe differently, too. It looked like Vanessa didn’t stand a chance.

Phoebe returned to the 17th floor, and John quickly approached, pointing to her office with a complicated expression. “Ms. Ziegler, Evelyn is here.” Phoebe’s bit of joy instantly vanished, her lips pressed tightly together.

John noticed her smudged lipstick and cleared his throat. “Ms. Ziegler, maybe touch up your makeup in the restroom? Your lipstick is smudged.” Phoebe felt embarrassed.

She had been in a daze and hadn’t noticed her lipstick was smudged. Her cheeks turned red. “I’ll go to the restroom.”

Phoebe quickly walked into the restroom. The mirror showed her face. John had been subtle. Most of her lipstick had been eaten by Theodore, with some smudged around her lips. She looked like she had been ravaged. Phoebe patted her cheeks, quickly wiped off the lipstick, reapplied her makeup, and only went out when her face wasn’t as hot.

Phoebe pushed the door open and walked into the office. Evelyn was lounging on the sofa playing a game.

Phoebe resisted the urge to rub her forehead. “Why are you here?

“Why do you think I’m here?” Evelyn saw Phoebe, threw her phone on the sofa, and stared at her seriously. “I told you to see a doctor with me, but you kept putting it off. I had to come and get you myself.” Evelyn decided to visit Phoebe after thinking about it over all night. If Phoebe wanted to win Theodore’s heart, a cat alone wouldn’t be enough.

Phoebe had to have a child with Theodore.

A man like Theodore, what did he lack? An heir to his business.

If Phoebe had his child, her position in the Reynolds family would be more secure.

Even if Theodore got distracted, the child would get a significant share of the inheritance, and Phoebe would be set for life.

Phoebe sighed. “Mom, I have work to do.”

Evelyn glared at her. “Is work more important than having a child? Phoebe, Theodore is young now. He might not want a child now, but when he’s thirty or forty and sees his friends with kids, do you think he won’t want one?” Without speaking, Phoebe pressed her lips together.

Evelyn added, “This is a real issue. By then, you’ll be older and might not be able to have a child. Will he go find someone else to have one?”

Phoebe replied, “No, when he’s forty, I’ll only be in my thirties. How does that make me old?”

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