Theodore’s face tightened, his eyes cold as ice as he stared her down. “Do you mean this has something to do with Madison, Phoebe? Without proof, you can’t just throw around accusations.” Phoebe looked up at him, feeling the weight of his protectiveness towards Madison. It stung, but she understood.

Theodore wouldn’t back her up without a solid reason.

“Yeah, no evidence.” Phoebe dropped her gaze. “I’m beat. Let’s head back.”

She turned and started towards the hospital exit, but barely took two steps before a strong hand grabbed her wrist.

Theodore yanked her back, frowning. “Phoebe, you’re pissed.”

“I’m not,” she said, her voice flat.

Next thing she knew, his fingers were on her chin, forcing her to look up. Theodore’s eyes bore into hers. “You’re upset. Why?”

Phoebe bit her lip. “I’m not upset. Just tired. Wanna go home and crash.”

Theodore stared at her for a long moment, then pulled her into his arms. “Alright, let’s go home.”

Phoebe shut her eyes, exhausted, and left the hospital with Theodore.

Back at the Imperial Apartment, Ollie caught a whiff of blood on Phoebe and bolted to the top of the cat tree, glaring down at her.

Phoebe headed to the bathroom, took a shower, and changed into clean clothes. When she came out, Theodore was waiting at the door with a cup of hot milk. “Drink this and get some rest,” he said.

Phoebe took the cup and drank silently. Theodore took the empty cup, set it aside, and led her to the bed.

He pulled out some ointment for her frostbite.

Phoebe’s fingers were swollen, dark, and purple, but Theodore held them gently, like they were the most precious thing in the world. Her anger melted away.

After applying the ointment, Phoebe slipped under the covers.

Theodore climbed in beside her, wrapping his arms around her and gently patting her back like he was soothing a child.

“Sleep, I’m right here,” he murmured.

Phoebe closed her eyes, the faint scent of mint from Theodore calming her. She snuggled closer.

Today had been intense, with drama that really wasn’t her business. But ever since Madison pulled that sneaky move on her, Phoebe found herself smack in the middle of it all, whether she liked it or not. With a silent sigh, Phoebe thought to herself, ‘I just need to sleep.. Everything can wait till morning.’

As Phoebe’s breathing evened out, Theodore carefully slipped his arm from under her neck. He got out of bed, grabbed his phone, and left the room.

He made a call, and someone picked up quickly.

“Lawton, dig into the connection between the person in the car accident tonight and Madison. Get back to me ASAP,” Theodore ordered.

“Yes, Mr. Reynolds,” Lawton replied.

Theodore hung up and went back to the bedroom, holding Phoebe as they slept.

Madison tossed and turned all night. When dawn finally broke, she got ready and headed out, bumping into Taylor downstairs.

Since getting out of the hospital, Taylor had been a shell of herself, indifferent and lifeless.

Madison walked over. “Mom, I’m off to work.”

“Grab some breakfast before you head out. Madison, something bugging you lately?” Taylor eyed Madison, whose heavy makeup couldn’t hide the red veins in her eyes. Madison shook her head, forcing a smile. “Nah, I’m good. Gotta go.”

Taylor watched her disappear out the door, frowning. Just then, Riley came out of the kitchen, hearing the engine rev up in the yard.

Riley asked, “Mrs. Reynolds, did Madison leave already?”

“Yeah, she’s been leaving early and coming back late. Seems troubled. Maybe it’s work,” Taylor said.

“If it’s that rough, why not have her quit and stay home with you? You’ve been down lately. Maybe you two could travel, hit up some fashion weeks or something,” Riley suggested. Taylor shook her head. “I don’t like traveling abroad. I’ll just stay here.”

Riley wanted to push more, but seeing Taylor’s tired expression, she held back.

The house had been tense lately, with Marlowe and Bishop still lurking around. Taylor couldn’t leave now. If she did, it would give them an opening. Madison first went to the hospital. She lingered at the entrance for a long time but didn’t go in. Eventually, she headed to the company.

As soon as she stepped in, she saw that familiar, annoying figure.

Madison stormed over and stood in front of Grace. “Grace, didn’t you get it? I told you not to come here again.”

Grace looked at her coolly. “I’m a signed artist. Why can’t I be here?”

“I already said no, so it’s a no. Haven’t my warnings been enough? Do you really think I can’t make it hard for you and your disabled dad to remain in Kedora?” Madison hissed through gritted teeth. Grace’s eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Whether I dare or not, you’ve seen. Grace, every time you show up, I’ll smash your family’s restaurant. Let’s see how many times it can take it,” Madison said in a low voice.

Grace grabbed Madison’s collar, her eyes red with desperation. “Madison, I’ve never wronged you. Why are you doing this? I just want to make money.”

Madison had never been grabbed like that before. She elbowed Grace in the stomach, making her step back in pain and let go.

Madison straightened her collar. “There are plenty of places to make money. Why here? Who knows what you’re up to?”

Madison stared at Grace’s eyes with hatred, eyes that looked just like Theodore’s and Christopher’s.

She wished she could rip out Grace’s eyes and put them in her own sockets. Then she’d be the real Miss Reynolds, and no one could take that from her!

Grace shivered at the obsessive hatred in Madison’s eyes. She didn’t get why Madison hated her so much.

She hadn’t stolen Madison’s boyfriend or hurt her family. Madison’s hatred seemed baseless.

“I don’t know why you think that, but I’m here just to make money. I’ll let what you’ve done slide, but if you smash my family’s restaurant again, I’ll go to Mr. Brandon Reynolds and let him decide.” Madison was stunned, thinking, ‘Grace actually dares to go to Brandon. She really has bad intentions. I have to get rid of her!’

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