Chapter 573
Howard fell silent for a moment and sighed. “You make it sound easy, but Dad is stubborn. Trying to change his views is like trying to move mountains.”
“Challenges make it interesting, Howard. Are you scared?” Sheena patted his shoulder reassuringly, ” Don’t worry. I’ll talk to him for you. Besides, he may control your engagement and marriage registration, but he can’t dictate who you date. Just do as you want, but don’t flash it.”
Howard contemplated her words, finding them rather reasonable.
As they walked and talked, they unknowingly approached the main
gate.
Looking at the empty entrance, Sheena suddenly realized she had forgotten someone.
“Oh no! I got so carried away chatting with you that I forgot about Phoebe! She said she would be waiting for you at the gate!”
Howard was surprised. “She came along?”
“Mhm. She said she was worried about you.” Sheena contemplated whether to go back and check. ” Phoebe is usually true to her words. She wouldn’t leave before you arrived, unless…”
The two exchanged glances, their expressions turning serious, both thinking of the same possibility!
Howard turned around first, sprinting back toward his mansion.
Sheena immediately followed, descending from the mountaintop halfway down.
Pushing open the large iron gate surrounding the mansion, Phoebe had just finished packing all her belongings and stepped out.
Howard asked her, “What are you doing packing your bags?”
Phoebe lowered her head, feeling somewhat guilty, “I’ve caused you much trouble these days. It’s been almost a month since Caleb’s affair, and the internet has long forgotten about it. It’s time for me to move back to my apartment.”
Howard tightened his grip on her wrist, forcefully taking the suitcase from her hands. “I disagree.”
“Mr. Howard, you have no right to stop me from leaving! You’ve achieved your goal of breaking your engagement with Ms. Upton, and our agreement is now void!”
Phoebe was a bit irritated.
That was the first time she spoke assertively in front of Howard.
Howard remained quiet, his expression cold.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, “Did Lauren say something to you?”
Phoebe did not argue and explained, “She’s right. Our lives are different. It’s like night and day. I
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don’t deserve you. I’m just a pretend lover you hired to play a part. I shouldn’t have developed real feelings, let alone hold you back. I”
Before she could finish her sentence, Howard kissed her, silencing all her apologies.
Sheena had just entered the mansion and witnessed this loving scene. She smiled with contentment, shook her head in resignation, and quietly left.
The domineering kiss ended Phoebe’s struggle.
Howard explained, “I was the one who fell for you first, and I’m the one who should apologize. Last night… you were drugged, and I shouldn’t have treated you that way, but I…”
The previous night, he had carried Phoebe back to the mansion, intending to take her to the bathroom for a shower and then find medicine to ease her discomfort. Little did he know, the medication had consumed all her rationality, and she recklessly pressed her body against his.
He could not control himself, lost in confusion and desire. He had abstained for years but finally succumbed to Phoebe’s touch.
Memories of the unbelievable scenes from last night flooded Phoebe’s mind, and she blushed. instantly, feeling embarrassed.
“Well… last night was just an accident, Mr. Howard. You don’t need to worry too much. I’ll never use something like this to threaten you. Let’s pretend it never happened!”
Howard stared at her in frustration, “Phoebe, how can you do this to me? You slept with me but brushed it off when I mentioned it?”
“What?!”
Well, that was unexpected.
Howard, usually refined and dignified, had just uttered something shameless.
Phoebe was taken aback, struggling to find the right words before finally asking, “Mr. Howard, was that… your first time too?”
Howard’s face turned cold, and his ears reddened at her question.
