Forbidden Passion

The next morning, Phoebe got up early. When she went downstairs after getting dressed, Hubert, Boris, and Noomi were still sound asleep. As she walked into the dining room, she heard lively sounds coming from the kitchen and a familiar aroma wafted over.

She walked over and saw Evelyn busy cooking Clam Chowder.

"I was just about to call you. Come and taste to see if it's good," Evelyn glanced at her, served a bowl of Clam Chowder, and handed it to her.

Phoebe sat on a high stool by the island counter and took a bite. It was a hundred times better than the Clam Chowder she had yesterday.

"It's just like I remember, so delicious."

Evelyn smiled and said, "If you like it, I can make it for you every day."

"That's not necessary; I don't want to tire you out," Phoebe said, happily eating more than half the bowl of Clam Chowder. "Just make it occasionally so I can have a treat."

Evelyn handed her a packed lunch box, "You're getting better at this. Alright, hurry up and go; Clam Chowder doesn't taste good if it sits too long."

"Okay." Phoebe took it, leaned in to hug her, and suddenly said, "Mom, I love you."

Evelyn was stunned for a few seconds, then quickly pushed her away and waved her off, "You're too old to be acting so childish. Hurry up and go."

Phoebe smiled. She had felt a bit embarrassed, but seeing Evelyn's face turn red and looking more flustered than she was, she couldn't help but laugh as Evelyn shooed her out of the house.

Guadalupe drove Phoebe to the six-star hotel. She took the elevator upstairs and arrived at the door of a presidential suite, where a bodyguard opened the door for her.noveldrama

Standing at the door was the blond, blue-eyed butler, Terry Campbell. He was dressed in a tailcoat, looked kind, and respectfully welcomed her in, "Ms. Ziegler, please have a seat on the sofa and wait a moment. Mr. Ziegler is freshening up and will be out shortly."

"Okay." Phoebe handed the lunch box to Terry and went to sit on the sofa.

She looked around the room's layout, which was similar to most hotel suites: four bedrooms, two living rooms, a gym, and a function room.

The decor was luxurious and grand, exuding opulence. The paintings on the walls looked very expensive.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Phoebe looked up to see Harper walking out in a gray shirt and slacks. The man in his fifties was in excellent shape, unlike some wealthy men with protruding bellies. Phoebe quickly stood up, "Mr. Ziegler."

Harper waved his hand, signaling her to sit, "No need to be formal. Make yourself at home, sit anywhere you like."

Phoebe smiled and said, "Please try the Clam Chowder; my mom says it doesn't taste good if it sits too long."

Harper walked to the dining room, where Terry had already taken out the lunch box. Harper pulled out a chair and sat down, looking at the lunch box in front of him.

Even through the lid, he could smell the familiar aroma of sesame. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he felt a lump in his throat.

For years, Harper had longed for this taste, dreaming about it often. Now, his wish had finally come true.

Harper opened the lid, and the aroma and steam hit him. His eyes welled up, and his hand holding the spoon trembled slightly.

Seeing that Harper hadn't touched the spoon for a long time, she nervously asked, "Mr. Ziegler, is the Clam Chowder not to your liking?"

After a moment, he picked up the spoon and took a bite. It was the taste he remembered. After savoring it, his throat tightened, "It's delicious. Your mother is very skilled." Phoebe said, "On behalf of my mom, thank you for the compliment."

Harper lowered his head and ate spoonful after spoonful, as if trying to make up for all the years of longing. As he ate, tears rolled down his cheeks.

Afraid that Phoebe would notice, he quickly wiped his eyes and finished the Clam Chowder in a few bites. He stood up and walked towards the bedroom. "Ms. Ziegler, you can go about your business. I'm taking the day off today."

Phoebe stood up and watched Harper's figure disappear down the hallway. She turned her head towards the dining room, where a lonely lunch box sat on the table.

Terry took the lunch box to the kitchen to wash it, then put it back in the lunch bag and escorted Phoebe to the door, "Ms. Ziegler, Mr. Ziegler didn't get much sleep last night. He's not feeling his best today. Please understand." "It's okay." Phoebe took the lunch bag from Terry, "Please tell Mr. Ziegler to get some rest. I'll be going now."

Terry watched her leave before closing the door. He walked to the bedroom door, knocked, and waited for a response before entering.

"Mr. Ziegler, Ms. Ziegler has left."

Harper stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the view outside. He said wistfully, "I know. Leave me alone for a while."

Terry was about to turn and leave when Harper suddenly said, "Call Milton and ask him to come over. There's somewhere I want him to accompany me to."

"Yes, sir." Terry left to call Milton.

Phoebe left the hotel and got into the car, still feeling that Harper's behavior was odd today, especially after eating Evelyn's Clam Chowder.

As she was lost in thought, her phone suddenly vibrated with a new message.

She opened WhatsApp to check the new message.

s: [Today's sunrise was beautiful.]

It also included a photo. The picture showed the sun slowly rising from the horizon, hanging in the sky, with clouds around it bathed in golden light. It was indeed beautiful. Phoebe didn't reply, and her phone vibrated again.

s: [I dreamed of you from a long, long time ago last night. I suddenly missed you so much it hurt, and then I woke up in an empty hotel room, feeling really down.]

Phoebe saw the message and regretted not blocking Theodore last night, allowing these few words to affect her mood.

She typed a message and sent it.

Mia: [Are you being a poetic Theodore today? Must have searched a lot of websites to find those words. Quite literary.]

s: [I didn't find it online. I wrote it myself.]

Mia: [Yeah, right. Even my dog would laugh at that.]

After sending that, Phoebe felt a weight lift off her chest. She closed her phone and put it back in her pocket, not blocking Theodore.

Ollie had been at her house these past few days, and Theodore used the cat as an excuse to bother her. Even if she blocked him, he would just find another phone to call her.

She was an adult; blocking someone was something she only needed to do once.

In the high-floor suite of the hotel, Theodore saw that Phoebe hadn't blocked him again. He smiled in satisfaction, put his phone back in his pocket, picked up the suit jacket draped over the sofa, and walked out of the room. Lawton, along with two bodyguards, stood outside the door. Seeing Theodore come out, he quickly approached, "Mr. Reynolds, everything is ready."

"Let's go."