Evelyn blew a gasket the second she heard Phoebe''s words. "Luck? Seriously? You''re still young, girl! You got 25 years before menopause hits. No way you can''t pop out a kid by then." Phoebe was left speechless as Evelyn always knew how to hit her right where it hurt.


    "I can wait 25 years, but can the Reynolds family? Whatever, I''m hanging up." Phoebe ended the call before Evelyn could get another word in.


    Phoebe plopped down on the sofa for a bit, then took the prescription to her study and locked it in her usual drawer.


    Just as she locked it, she heard Yves and Theodore chatting outside. She grabbed a book and lounged on the chaise by the floor-to-ceiling window.


    Theodore was swapping his shoes at the door when he saw Yvesing out with a trash bag, looking like she was about to bounce. He asked casually, "Phoebe back yet?"


    "Yeah, she was just in the living room. Probably in the study now," Yves replied with a smile.


    Theodore nodded. "It''s snowing like crazy out there. I''ll have Jack drive you home."


    "No need, Mr. Reynolds." Yves didn''t even get a chance to refuse before Theodore had already called Jack and given him the lowdown.


    Theodore added, "Jack''s waiting for you in the underground parking lot. You can head out now."


    Yves looked at Theodore''s stern profile and felt a wave of gratitude. She''d been working for this family for years. Phoebe''s kindness and Theodore''s hidden warmth had not gone unnoticed-they were genuinely good people. Despite this, Yves couldn''t shake the feeling that there was an unexined barrier, a strange distance that persisted between them.


    Yves left with the trash bag, and Theodore made his way to the study.


    The study was big, understated yet fancy. There was a chaise next to the bookshelf, and Phoebe was lounging on it.


    Theodore turned and went to the kitchen, whipped up two cups of coffee, and threw some snacks on a tray before bringing them in.


    Phoebe wasn''t really into her book. Hearing footsteps, shezily nced over and saw Theodore, now in loungewear,ing her way with coffee and snacks.


    Phoebe sat up, one leg tucked under the other. She looked at Theodore setting down the tray and grinned. "Mr. Reynolds, you''re in a good mood today." Theodore sat across from her and smiled leisurely. "What book you reading?"


    Phoebe hadn''t really been reading; she was eavesdropping on the sounds outside. She pushed the book towards him. "Just something I grabbed."


    Theodore nced at it, aplex smile ying on his lips. "You into this kind of book?"


    Phoebe noticed the faint smile on his face and looked down. The cover had a bunch of male models in swim trunks showing off their muscles. She coughed a few times. "I really just grabbed it randomly." Who would''ve thought Theodore''s bookshelf had this kind of book?


    "Yeah, you even picked it up upside down. Totally random." Theodore''s voice was dripping with amusement, making it even more irresistible.


    Phoebe was speechless. She closed the book and set it aside, giving up on exining. The more she exined, the dumber she felt. She picked up a snack and took a bite, chewing it like she was venting her frustration. Theodore got up and sat next to her. He picked up the magazine and flipped through it. "Between me and them, whose muscles look better?"


    Phoebe looked at him silently and thought, ''What kind of weirdpetitiveness is this?''


    She replied helplessly, "I haven''t seen."


    Theodore narrowed his eyes, a hint of danger in his deep gaze. "Well, haven''t seen theirs or haven''t seen mine?"


    Phoebe blushed at his question. "Why would I look at your muscles?"


    Theodore kept pushing, "Aren''t you curious?"


    Phoebe shot back, "Why would I be curious?"


    Theodore stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly stood up and started unbuttoning his loungewear. Phoebe was stunned. "Hey, what are you doing?"


    Theodore slowly undid thest button, leaving his chest exposed. "Take a look now. Whose muscles are better?"


    Phoebe was speechless.


    Theodore was brimming with confidence, hands on his hips to keep his loungewear from falling, making the pose both domineering and seductive.


    Under the warm yellow light, his eight-pack abs looked like perfectly arranged chocte bars, with a V-line leading down into his waistband, sparking all kinds of thoughts. She felt Theodore wasn''t just asking her topare abs; he was clearly trying to seduce her.


    Phoebe took a sip of coffee to hide her gulping. She looked away and said, "You look good. You look the best."


    Theodore leaned down, one leg pressing against her bent leg, his voice husky. "Phoebe, what were you thinking when you were looking at me just now?"


    Phoebe swallowed hard, her face burning as she looked at Theodore''s handsome face so close to hers.


    She leaned back, almost spilling her coffee. Theodore took the cup from her and set it on the low table beside them.


    He ced his hands on either side of her, looking at her silently, as if waiting for her answer.


    Phoebe was speechless. It seemed Theodore wouldn''t let it go without an answer. She patted the chaise. "Sit down, and I''ll tell you."


    Theodore looked at her for a few seconds, his curiosity piqued. He obediently sat down next to her, waiting for her answer.


    Phoebe met Theodore''s particrly bright and intense gaze, her face turning even redder. She ced her hand over his eyes. "Close your eyes."


    Theodore raised an eyebrow butplied, closing his eyes.


    Phoebe took a deep breath and got off the chaise. She looked at Theodore''s well-defined eight-pack abs and leaned in to kiss them.


    Theodore felt the feather-light touch and tensed up. The hand covering his eyes quickly retracted like a startled deer.


    He opened his eyes to see Phoebe''s retreating figure.


    "Phoebe, get back here!" Theodore''s handsome face showed a hint of pain. He took several deep breaths but couldn''t calm the turmoil inside him. Phoebe had teased him and then ran away!


    He looked down at the faint lip print on his abs, feeling like he was about to explode. If Phoebe dared to tease him, she wouldn''t be getting any sleep tonight. The next day, Phoebe was still catching up on sleep in bed, while Theodore got himself ready and leaned in to nt a gentle kiss on her forehead.


    The light kiss woke Phoebe. She reached out and patted him, the soft touch like a caress. Theodore smiled and tucked her arm back under the covers.


    "Just sleep. You don''t need to go to the office today." Theodore''s voice was gentle, a far cry from his fierceness the night before.


    Phoebe turned over and buried herself in the pillow, falling back into a deep sleep.


    Theodore sat by the bed for a while before getting up to leave. Just as he reached the door, the doorbell rang. He opened it to find Evelyn standing outside. A strong smell of medicine hit him. Theodore let Evelyn into the apartment, frowning at the medicine in her hand.