The office was dead quiet, and the security guards were giving each other those “what’s going on?” looks. No one dared to move without a nod from Theodore. Theodore glanced at Phoebe, who hadn’t said a peep. He waved off the guards, and they bolted out of there.

Soon enough, the office was back to its usual hush.

Theodore leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on Phoebe. “Alright, shoot. Ask me anything. I’m an open book.”

Phoebe stared right back at him. She wasn’t dumb; she knew he was poking the bear with Donovan when he pitched that proposal.

But Theodore’s icy, whatever attitude still stung.

After what felt like forever, Phoebe finally spoke up, “You did all this for Donovan, didn’t you?”

Theodore smirked. “Aren’t you curious how that hundred million dollar hole happened?”

“Doesn’t matter now. I just wanna know why you did it,” Phoebe said, eyes never leaving his.

She didn’t wanna think the worst of Theodore. If he just explained, she’d believe him!

Theodore shrugged. “Guys are naturally competitive. I just woke up his inner beast. Now, let’s see if he’s got what it takes.”

Phoebe left the office, and a few nosy employees in the hallway tried to sneak a peek. Seeing her come out, they all gave her these weird looks. Phoebe kept her face blank. She walked up to Carol and asked, “Where’s Donovan?”

Carol said, “He just went downstairs.”

“Got it,” Phoebe said, heading for the elevator. “If Mr. Reynolds asks, tell him I stepped out for a bit.

Phoebe saw one elevator stop on the first floor. She got into another one, hit the button, and found herself alone.

Her tough act finally cracked.

She got why Theodore wanted to toughen Donovan up, but could Donovan handle it?

If Donovan flopped, would Theodore really throw him in jail?

Phoebe shut her eyes, trying to stop the spiral. When the elevator dinged on the first floor, she hurried out.

Word about the CEO’s office drama spread like wildfire. A bunch of security guards who’d just come downstairs were hanging in the lobby. They looked at Phoebe with either pity or judgment.

Phoebe didn’t care. She’d been through worse. She walked over and asked, “Did you see Mr. Ziegler leave?”

One of the guards pointed to the small garden. “Saw him heading that way. Ms. Ziegler, you might wanna check there.”

Phoebe nodded. “Thanks.”

She walked out and made a beeline for the garden.

From a distance, she spotted Donovan on a bench with a girl next to him. Looked like Ruby from behind.

Phoebe’s frown deepened.

The private eye had found out Donovan was seeing Ruby. She hadn’t confronted Ruby yet, but now Ruby had the nerve to show up.

Phoebe stormed over, just in time to hear Ruby whining to Donovan, “How could Mr. Reynolds be so heartless? Aren’t you Phoebe’s brother?”

“So it was you stirring the pot,” Phoebe said coldly.

Ruby was dabbing medicine on Donovan’s busted lip with a cotton swab. Seeing his swollen mouth, she couldn’t help but feel bad, and the words just slipped out.

Hearing the accusation, Ruby spun around and saw Phoebe standing there. Her face turned beet red, and she jumped up. “Phoebe, I wasn’t trying to cause trouble,” Ruby protested.

Phoebe looked at Ruby’s panicked, pitiful face and felt a wave of irritation. “Cut the act, Ruby. Everyone knows you’re two-faced.” “Phoebe!” Donovan snapped, gritting his teeth. “How can you say that? Ruby, don’t be scared. I’m here; she won’t hurt you.”

Phoebe laughed in frustration. Pointing at Ruby, she said, “Donovan, do you even know she’s been plotting with Vanessa against me, and you’re still defending her?” “Ruby would never do that. Stop lying about her,” Donovan shot back.

Phoebe was at a loss for words. Donovan was completely blinded by love. She couldn’t wrap her head around how he could trust Ruby so blindly after just a few months. Ruby, not wanting to cause more drama, said, “Donovan, don’t talk to Phoebe like that. I used to be really bad and did a lot of wrong things.”

“Admitting your mistakes is a good start. Ruby, I believe you have a good heart,” Donovan said softly, looking at Ruby with eyes full of affection. Phoebe was speechless.

She felt like she had forgotten what the word “good” even meant.

Feeling like she might explode if she heard Donovan speak any longer, Phoebe said, “Donovan, I need to talk to Ruby alone.”

Donovan stepped in front of Ruby, glaring at Phoebe like she was about to attack. “Whatever you need to say, you can say it in front of me.”

Phoebe really wanted to kick Donovan but held back. She stared at Ruby, her eyes full of warning.

Ruby didn’t want Donovan to know about her past deeds. She tugged at Donovan’s sleeve and said, “Donovan, I’m a bit thirsty. Could you get me a cup of milk tea?”

Donovan looked at Ruby, knowing she was deliberately sending him away. He then looked at Phoebe. “Phoebe, if you dare bully Ruby, you’ll regret it.”

Ruby’s face turned blushed instantly.

Phoebe rolled her eyes.

Even though Donovan was love-struck, he was undeniably biased towards his girlfriend.

He was just so irrational!

Once Donovan was out of sight, Phoebe sat down on the bench. She looked at the medicine box on the bench and said, “Donovan is really naive. Once he likes someone, he trusts them completely.” Ruby stood beside her, not daring to sit. She said, “Donovan isn’t naive; he’s just kind-hearted.”

Phoebe didn’t want to hear the word “kind” today. She gritted her teeth and said, “You probably don’t know that Donovan had a girlfriend in Starfall City. He owed ten million dollars for her and even embezzled your family’s funds to run away.” Ruby was speechless.

She lowered her eyes guiltily. She knew more about this matter than Phoebe did, as she had orchestrated it.

“Don’t tell me you don’t mind at all, or are you approaching him with ulterior motives?” Phoebe stared at her intently.

Ruby clenched her fists and looked up, meeting Phoebe’s scrutinizing gaze with courage.

She said, “I don’t mind, Phoebe. You might not believe it, but I genuinely like Donovan and want to be with him.”

Phoebe sneered. “Weren’t you in love with Theodore?”

Ruby was stunned, then frantically waved her hands. “No, I don’t like Theodore. I used to dislike you and thought Theodore should be with Vanessa.”

Phoebe looked at Ruby’s restless hands. “Do you think I’ll believe you?”

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