Forbidden Passion

Evelyn tasted the porridge and, seeing Phoebe still deep in thought, couldn't help but roll her eyes. "If you can't figure it out, stop thinking about it. Go upstairs and call them down for dinner." Phoebe walked out of the kitchen and saw Pamela coming downstairs with Hubert, Boris, and Noomi, followed by Ruby and Ethan.noveldrama

Phoebe instinctively glanced at Ruby's face and noticed her eyes were red and swollen, though she seemed in good spirits. When their eyes met, Ruby looked a bit embarrassed.

After dinner, Phoebe was changing her shoes at the door. Hubert, Boris, and Noomi, dressed in suspenders and white T-shirts, stood obediently at the door to see her off. "Mom, be safe on the road."

"We love you!"

"Bye, Mom."

Phoebe smiled and looked up to see Ruby walking towards her. "Phoebe, I need to talk to you."

"Let's talk outside." Phoebe turned and opened the door, walking into the small garden. The garden was lush and green, planted by Evelyn and the kids when they first moved in.

The two stood side by side, the morning breeze gently blowing, the air fresh and invigorating. Phoebe turned her head to look at Ruby. "What do you want to say?"

"I thought a lot last night. I can't just stay idle at home anymore. I want to get a job." Ruby's hands were in her jeans pockets, her expression determined.

Phoebe nodded. "Alright, what position do you want? I'll have Lori arrange it."

"I don't want to work at your company," Ruby suddenly said.

Phoebe was taken aback, looking at Ruby in surprise. "Why?"

"Yesterday, I was playing with the kids on the lawn outside, and I felt that same happiness I used to feel. I want to be a teacher. I majored in early childhood education in college." Ruby looked at Phoebe nervously. "You'll support me, right?"

Seeing that Ruby had her own ideas, Phoebe's eyes curved into a smile. "Ruby, I'm glad you've found something you want to do. If you need any help, just let me know."

"Thank you, I will." Ruby was happy that Phoebe supported her. She had been afraid that Phoebe would react like her parents, scolding her for being unambitious. Phoebe patted Ruby's shoulder. "You can check online. There are several preschools near our neighborhood. You can visit them when you have time."

"Okay."

Guadalupe's car hadn't arrived yet, so Phoebe wasn't in a hurry to leave. She suddenly remembered the figure in the surveillance video last night that looked like Donovan. She looked at Ruby. "Ruby, do you think Donovan might not have died back then?"

Ruby's eyes widened, and she grabbed Phoebe's wrist excitedly. "Why do you say that, Phoebe? Is Donovan still alive?"

Phoebe felt a bit of pain from Ruby's grip and frowned. Seeing Ruby's reaction, she realized Ruby hadn't seen that person.

"I was just asking. By the way, be extra careful when you take the kids out to play. Especially don't leave the villa area alone with them," Phoebe reminded Ruby. Ruby's emotions surged, and her eyes reddened. "Did something happen?"

Phoebe looked at Ruby's bloodshot eyes, hesitated, then took out her phone and played the video she had uploaded last night, handing it to Ruby.

Ruby took the phone suspiciously. When a familiar figure appeared on the screen, she trembled.

"Donovan?" Ruby covered her mouth, trembling as she looked at the screen, then looked up at Phoebe. "Phoebe, I can't be wrong. It's Donovan." Phoebe, worried that Ruby's loud voice would alert Evelyn, lowered her voice. "Don't shout. My mom might hear."

Tears rolled down Ruby's cheeks. "It's him, isn't it?"

"I can't be sure. The surveillance didn't capture his face. He might just have a similar build to Donovan. I showed you this video to make you aware. I can't be home during the day, and if something happens, I can't help." Ruby covered her face, her expression momentarily collapsing. Phoebe placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ruby, pull yourself together. If this person isn't Donovan, he could be a security threat. Do you understand?" Ruby slowly calmed down and sniffled. "I understand."

Phoebe still felt uneasy but said no more. Hearing the sound of an engine outside, she patted Ruby's shoulder and took back her phone. "I'm going to work. Don't tell my mom about this; I don't want her to get her hopes up." "I know."

Phoebe turned and walked towards the door. After a few steps, Ruby caught up and grabbed her arm. "Phoebe, can you send me the video?"

"Okay, I'll send it to you later." Phoebe pulled her arm free and left.

Ruby stood at the door, watching Phoebe get into the car. Soon, the car drove away and disappeared from sight.

She felt a hollow ache in her chest.

She walked out the door and stood where the man in the video had stood, looking towards the villa. What was he looking at? Was he Donovan?

When Phoebe arrived at the company, she immediately called Lori in. Seeing Phoebe's serious expression, Lori didn't dare to joke around as she usually did. "Ms. Ziegler, you called for me?"

Without looking up, Phoebe said, "Which security company do we work with for our artists? Get me their information."

"Ms. Ziegler, why do you need a security company?"

"I need bodyguards for home. Contact them as soon as possible," Phoebe instructed.

"Okay, I'll get on it right away."

Phoebe had a morning meeting. After the meeting, Lori approached her. "Ms. Ziegler, I contacted the security company. They just received a batch of new bodyguards, all highly skilled. They want you to come and choose personally." "Got it. Clear my schedule after 3 PM." Phoebe hurried back to her office to start her busy day.

After 3 PM, Phoebe took a car to the security company. The receptionist respectfully led her in. "Ms. Ziegler, this way, please. Mr. Rogers is waiting for you in the training area."

Phoebe nodded and followed the receptionist to the training area, where a dozen muscular men in vests were sparring.

Steven Rogers was sitting nearby. Seeing Phoebe, he quickly stood up and greeted her warmly. "Ms. Ziegler, welcome."

Phoebe politely shook his hand. "Mr. Rogers, my secretary has already told you my requirements, so I won't repeat them."

"Lori has informed me. How could I not take Ms. Ziegler's matters seriously? I've selected a few candidates for you. Would you like to see them?" Steven said. Phoebe smiled and nodded. "Sure."

Steven clapped his hands, and the men in the sparring area stopped. A few stepped forward and lined up in front of Phoebe.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Ziegler!"

The bodyguards' loud voices startled Phoebe. Seeing so many muscular men in front of her made her a bit nervous.