Forbidden Passion

Phoebe swallowed nervously and paced back and forth a couple of times but couldn't make a choice. Instead, she felt embarrassed under the gaze of so many eyes. "Mr. Rogers, could you introduce them to me?" Phoebe asked.

Steven, who was beside Phoebe, began to give her a detailed introduction. Among the five bodyguards he selected, there were veterans and boxers who had fought in many matches.

Phoebe finally chose two with clean and proper features. It wasn't that she was picking bodyguards based on looks, but she was afraid that those with intimidating faces might scare the children at home. After choosing the bodyguards, Steven laughed and said, "Ms. Ziegler, you truly are the boss of an entertainment company. You picked the most handsome and toughest ones from our company." Phoebe chuckled, "It's not about the looks; it's mainly because there are kids at home."

Steven was taken aback and looked Phoebe over, "Ms. Ziegler, are you married? You look very young. What does your husband do?"

Phoebe was momentarily speechless at his question and then laughed, "Mr. Rogers, I got married early."

"You don't look it at all," Steven sighed. "It seems all beautiful women are already taken. Ms. Ziegler, this way, please. Let's go handle the paperwork."

Phoebe nodded. Steven, despite his burly appearance, was quite thoughtful. Seeing that she didn't want to delve into the topic, he immediately dropped it.

After completing the paperwork, Phoebe took the bodyguards with her.

Back at the villa, Phoebe handed the two new bodyguards over to Elijah. When she entered the house, she found Edward there, playing with the children in the living room.

Edward raised an eyebrow when he saw the two men in suits Phoebe brought back, "Phoebe, did you hire bodyguards?"

Phoebe put down what she was holding, walked over to the sofa, and sat down with a smile, "Yes, I mentioned it to you last time. Mr. Rogers from the partner company invited me to take a look today."

Edward slapped his thigh, "I've been so busy lately that I forgot such an important thing. I'm sorry, Phoebe."

Phoebe shook her head, "It's okay, I know you're busy."

Edward still felt guilty. He had been busy competing for a project with the Reynolds Group and had no time to visit Phoebe. He had truly forgotten about hiring bodyguards.

"It's my fault. I'll treat you to dinner as an apology," Edward said with a smile.

"It's not that serious," Phoebe smiled. "By the way, what have you been busy with lately? You seem to have lost a lot of weight. Take care of yourself."

"It's nothing," Edward said, noticing Elijah leading the two bodyguards to settle in. A dark glint flashed in his eyes, "The two bodyguards you chose look pretty good."

"I have a keen eye," Phoebe said. "Mr. Rogers praised me for my ability to judge appearances in the entertainment business."

Edward felt uneasy. Even though he knew these two were bodyguards, living in Phoebe's house and being around her all the time, there was no guarantee they wouldn't have other thoughts.

After all, Phoebe was now a single, beautiful, and capable woman. Any man with eyes could easily fall for her.

"Didn't you say you wanted female bodyguards last time? I can arrange for some to be sent over. What do you think?" Edward asked.

Phoebe shook her head, "No need. I've signed a contract with Mr. Rogers' company. Besides, their bodyguards are very professional. Noah and Claire's bodyguards are from their company, and I'm very confident in their abilities." Edward pressed his lips together. He knew that Phoebe had made up her mind. He couldn't help but regret not sending female bodyguards earlier, so Phoebe wouldn't have had to hire them herself. "Alright, keep them for now. If you find it inconvenient, I'll send female bodyguards over," Edward said.

"Okay."

After chatting for a while, Evelyn came out to call them to wash up for dinner. Phoebe got up and took Hubert, Boris, Noomi, and Ethan to wash their hands.

After they finished washing and ran out, Phoebe wiped her hands with a tissue. As she stepped out, Edward blocked her at the bathroom door. She smiled and asked, "Why are you blocking the way?"

Edward propped one hand on the door frame, blocking Phoebe's path. He looked at her deeply, "Phoebe, I know you hired bodyguards because you're worried about the family. Have you ever thought that if there were a man of the house, you wouldn't be so uneasy?"

Phoebe's eyes flickered, "Edward, we..."

"Let's get married," Edward suddenly interrupted her, his eyes sincere. "Phoebe, let me be Hubert, Boris, and Noomi's father, your husband. Let me protect you all, okay?"

Phoebe was genuinely surprised by Edward's proposal at this moment. She stood there in a daze, not even noticing the tissue falling from her hand. "Edward, don't do this."

Edward trapped Phoebe between him and the door frame, his voice low, "What do you mean? You know my feelings have never changed all these years."

Phoebe pressed her back tightly against the door to avoid physical contact with Edward. She looked up at him, "I've been divorced and have Hubert, Boris, and Noomi. It's not fair to you."

"I don't mind," Edward murmured. "Phoebe, marry me, please. I just want to protect you and the kids."

To be honest, Phoebe was momentarily moved.

She wasn't made of stone. Edward, such an excellent man who loved her, proposing to her, she couldn't help but feel touched. Edward saw her hesitation and knew she was wavering. His gaze fell on her rosy lips, and he slowly leaned in, "Say yes, okay?"

Phoebe gripped the door frame behind her, her knuckles turning white. She watched as Edward's lips got closer and closer.

Phoebe suddenly closed her eyes and made a silent decision. If she could accept Edward's kiss, she would agree to marry him. Edward had waited for her for seven years. How many seven years were there in a lifetime?

Suddenly, a light cough broke the awkward silence in the hallway. Phoebe jolted and pushed Edward away, turning to look down the hallway. Ruby stood there, forcing an awkward smile, "Phoebe, Mr. Vanderbilt, Aunt Evelyn asked me to call you for dinner."

Phoebe let out a heavy sigh. Even if Ruby hadn't come, she would have pushed Edward away. She still couldn't accept being kissed by him. Edward leaned against the other side of the door frame, his back numb from the impact, his heart aching, and his face pale, "Phoebe." Phoebe quickly escaped from the ambiguous and oppressive space, "Let's go eat. Don't keep them waiting."

With that, she hurried past Ruby and fled to the dining room.

Ruby hadn't expected to walk in on such an awkward scene. She didn't dare look at Edward's expression and quickly followed Phoebe. The hallway fell silent. Edward leaned against the door frame for a long time before he finally curled his lips into a mocking smile. How many times had he failed to propose?noveldrama

Phoebe was as heartless as ever. Even though she couldn't reconcile with Theodore, she still wouldn't accept his proposal. Why wasn't he good enough?