Forbidden Passion

The diamond ring in Edward's hand sparkled brilliantly under the moonlight, but the way he looked at Phoebe shone even brighter than the stars.

Phoebe sighed, and amidst the jeers, she leaned slightly forward, not to give her hand to Edward, but to pull him up and gently embrace him.

"I'm sorry, I can't say yes."

Phoebe whispered in his ear, her voice small but clear, each word entering Edward's ear without missing a beat. His hand suddenly clenched the ring box tightly.

The audience suddenly fell silent, then erupted into even louder applause. Someone started chanting, "Kiss, kiss!"

Even though some sharp-eyed individuals noticed that the proposal process seemed off-the woman didn't nod in agreement, and the man didn't put the ring on her finger-how did they skip to hugging?

But these small details didn't affect the crowd's excitement. Amidst the applause, something shattered, unnoticed by anyone.

Edward stood stiffly, "Phoebe, why?"

Phoebe closed her eyes, "I'm not good enough for you, Edward. You deserve someone better. Thank you for everything you prepared for me today, but I can't accept it. I'm sorry!"

As Phoebe finished speaking and was about to step back, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her waist, holding her tightly in place.

"If I say that if you leave today, I'll hate you for the rest of my life, will you still refuse me?" Edward's voice came out through gritted teeth.

Phoebe was stunned for a moment and softly said, "If hating me will make you feel better."

A surge of nameless anger rose in Edward's chest, his voice almost hysterical, "Why can't I, Phoebe? Tell me, why can't I? I met you before Theodore, we were together from the start."

Phoebe felt so sad she could hardly breathe, "I'm sorry, if I have to say it, it's probably because I don't love you."

"Do you love him?" Edward growled softly, "Theodore treated you like that, he'd rather spend five hundred million dollars to save his first love than save you, do you still love him?"

The guests below seemed to sense that something was wrong on stage and gradually stopped jeering. The surroundings quieted down, with only the sound of the river waves crashing against the shore.

Phoebe knew that only by making Edward give up could he completely free himself from this relationship. Phoebe said, "Yes, I still love him."

Before she finished speaking, the arms around her waist loosened. Edward stepped back, his gaze cold and resentful.

"Phoebe, I'm not that magnanimous. I hope you never get what you want in this life. Leave, I don't want to see you again." Edward turned his back.

The crystal ring box was crushed in his hand, blood dripping from Edward's fingers. Phoebe stared at Edward's bleeding hand and said, "You need to bandage that. I'm sorry!"

With that, she turned and walked down the steps.

The guests' eyes swept back and forth between her and Edward, curious. Someone even came up to Phoebe and asked, "Ms. Ziegler, why didn't you say yes? Marrying into a wealthy family seems better than struggling on your own, doesn't it?"

Phoebe glanced at the familiar-looking lady and said indifferently, "Everyone has their own aspirations."

"You've been married before, and now such an excellent man like Mr. Edward wants to marry you, why don't you hurry up and marry him? What are you pretending for?" The lady felt humiliated by Phoebe and spoke more harshly.

"But you are really something, first messing around with the eldest son of the Reynolds family, and now making the second son of the Vanderbilt family fall head over heels for you."

Phoebe heard the disdainful and mocking tone but didn't care. She wasn't living for these people.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! However, the words were indeed harsh. Phoebe could feel many people pointing at her, whispering that she was pretending to be aloof.

Phoebe took a deep breath, gathered her heavy skirt in her hands, and walked out, immediately seeing Madison running up the steps, panting and covered in sweat, apparently having rushed over after getting the news.

The two locked eyes, Madison panting heavily, glaring at Phoebe, "Did you say yes?"

Phoebe didn't speak, walking down the steps one by one. As she passed Madison, Phoebe patted her shoulder, "Go to him; he might need someone to comfort him."

Madison stiffened, watching Phoebe walk past her. She turned around, unwillingly glaring at Phoebe, "Why?"

Such a grand proposal ceremony, if it were her, she would be moved to immediately throw herself into Edward's arms. Why would Phoebe refuse?

Phoebe paused, her eyes looking at the rolling river, "Madison, some people, once missed, are really missed."

"What about Theodore?" Madison blurted out.

Phoebe pressed her lips together, not answering the question, lifting her skirt and walking down the steps without looking back, disappearing into the night.

Madison turned and ran towards Edward.

Edward stood alone on the crystal stage, watching Phoebe walk away without looking back.

His heart churned with hatred. Why, after he had bet everything, did Phoebe still ruthlessly reject him?

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Madison looked at Edward, standing alone like a solitary king on his throne, clearly looking down on the world, yet with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

At this moment, no one dared to approach him.

Madison slowly walked up, standing in front of Edward. Seeing his appearance, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. On the way here, she had prayed in her heart for Edward's proposal to fail.

But seeing Edward's proposal fail, she felt sad.

"Edward, do you want a drink? I'll get it for you. If you want to get drunk tonight, I'll accompany you, okay?" Madison turned to get the wine, but Edward grabbed her arm.

"No need, help me see the guests off. I want to be alone for a while." Edward let go of her hand and sat down on the steps, disregarding his image.

Edward's back looked so lonely and sad. Madison watched for a while before quickly walking down the steps to see the guests off.

Everyone was talking, some sympathizing with Edward, naturally, there were also those who were mocking. There were both kind and harsh words.

"Mr. Vanderbilt must be crazy, always thinking about a divorced woman, and now he's confessed to the whole city, but she doesn't want him."noveldrama

"Exactly, I heard they grew up together. Phoebe now runs an entertainment company and thinks she can stand firm in Kedora's high society. I bet she must have slept with many bosses to get to where she is today. I don't know why Edward insists on marrying her. Now it's a joke, isn't it?"

"But honestly, Phoebe is really beautiful. If I could sleep with her for one night, investing a few million dollars would be worth it."

"Why don't you lend me some money to invest in a project? There are plenty of women out there, why sleep with a divorced one?"

"She may be divorced, but look at Theodore and Edward-they can't seem to get over

her. She must be something special. If I could win over a woman they couldn't, I'd become famous in Kedora?"

There was a lot of gossip. After Madison saw the guests off, she turned and looked at Edward sitting on the steps, bringing a bottle of wine and two glasses up.