Theodore’s eyes turned icy. “Yeah, it’s just a company. I can start a bunch for you. Pick whichever you want.”

Phoebe stared at him, shocked. “You know Queen Entertainment means more to me than that.” “Didn’t you realize it was a gift for Vanessa? You overestimated yourself.” Theodore sneered. Phoebe’s eyes dimmed, and she looked down to hide her pain. “Yeah, I did.”

She felt foolish, always misjudging her place and ending up in embarrassing herself.

Theodore clenched his fists, feeling a knot in his chest. “I give her the company, and you act like it’s the end. But you don’t care when I’m with her. We’ve been married almost three years, but you value a six-month-old company more than me?”

Phoebe’s vision blurred as she looked up. “Yeah, men aren’t worth much. Only my career won’t betray me.”

“You!” Theodore’s face twisted.

He took deep breaths to control his anger. “Fine, if your career’s all that matters, then don’t work anymore. Stay home!”

With that, he stormed out.

Phoebe closed her eyes, tears streaming down. Theodore’s footsteps faded away.

Her straight back bent, and she squatted down, crying like a child who lost her favorite toy.

Taylor woke up in the middle of the night and saw Phoebe nodding off uncomfortably by the hospital bed.

Taylor, not heartless, felt touched seeing Phoebe there. She was like a daughter.

“Phoebe, Phoebe?” Taylor called.

Phoebe jolted awake and quickly looked at Taylor. “You’re awake. How about some water? I’ll get it.”

Taylor grabbed her hand. “No need. Just sit and talk with me.”

Phoebe, feeling a shared sorrow, said, “Your lips look dry. I’ll get you water.”

“You moonpie,” Taylor sighed, letting go.

Phoebe got a glass of water, inserted a straw, and carefully helped Taylor drink, avoiding her head wound.

“Get me a pillow. I’ve been lying down for days, and my bones are soft,” Taylor said.

“Okay.” Phoebe adjusted a pillow behind Taylor.

Under the warm light, Taylor stared at her. “Phoebe, you stayed up all night. Why didn’t you let Christopher and the others come?”

Phoebe looked down. “I wanted to stay with you.”

“Phoebe!” Taylor’s eyes filled with tears. “I won’t belittle myself anymore. I’ve lived so long and still make you worry. I’ve really wasted my life.” “Mom, don’t say that. You’ve been so strong,” Phoebe’s voice cracked. “I’m grateful you didn’t give up.”

Taylor blinked, tears rolling down her cheeks. She turned away to hide her tears.

Phoebe leaned over and gently hugged her. Taylor broke down, and she started to sob.

Phoebe’s eyes filled with tears, too. She patted Taylor’s back, silently comforting her. They shared the same sorrow and understood each other deeply. After a while, Taylor stopped crying. Phoebe handed her some tissues.

Taylor wiped her tears and said, “Don’t laugh at me. I’m so old.”

“Mom, I won’t laugh. It’s good you can cry. I was worried you’d bottle it up and get sick,” Phoebe said.

Taylor glanced at her. “You moonpie.”

“This is our secret. We won’t tell anyone,” Phoebe said.

“Okay,” Taylor replied.

Phoebe smiled through her tears. “You really scared us last night, Mom. Theodore isn’t strong at all. You have to live a long life.”

Seeing Phoebe cry, Taylor’s eyes welled up again. She patted Phoebe’s hand. “You’re making me cry again.”

Phoebe quickly wiped her tears and smiled. “No more crying.”

“Okay,” Taylor said.

After that, Taylor got sleepy again. Phoebe helped her lie down, and soon she was asleep.

But Phoebe couldn’t fall asleep.

She sat in the chair, thinking about what Theodore had said. He had crushed her hopes of going back to work.

Phoebe pinched her temples. ‘Theodore wants to trap me at home while he enjoys himself outside. Nice dreaming! But what should I do?’

He had given Queen Entertainment to Vanessa. With Vanessa’s vengeful nature, she’d definitely abandon the people Phoebe had supported.

Noah had just signed a five-year contract, with three years at Extraordinary Entertainments. Although Queen Entertainment restricted his commercial activities, he’d still have exposure. The impact wouldn’t be significant in the next two years, but it would make his career path harder.

As for Claire, Hank’s movie would definitely be a hit. If Claire couldn’t keep up with the exposure, she’d fade quickly.

Phoebe couldn’t just watch their careers fall apart. She had promised them when she signed them.

Evan’s business and promotional contracts were with Queen Entertainment. But given Evan’s current status, Vanessa wouldn’t dare do much to him.

Phoebe closed her eyes, her head throbbing.

If there was ever a time she deeply hated Theodore, it was now.

Did Theodore ever consider how his decision would affect so many lives?

No, he never thought about it!

Because these people’s lives meant nothing to him. As long as Vanessa smiled, he’d blow up the entire Reynolds Group to make her happy.

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