Chapter 238: Quarrel

Chapter 238: Quarrel

Phoebe's stomach was indeed feeling uncomfortable, so she didn't refuse. She took the lunch box and started eating in small bites.

After finishing half a bowl of soup, her stomach felt much better. Just then, Noah arrived.

He pushed open the car door and got out. He glanced at the food in her hands, then at her still-pale face, and instinctively placed his hand on her abdomen, gently rubbing it. "You know you have gastritis. Why are you eating so late?"

Roman stood to the side, holding the food, discreetly sizing up Noah.

Ever since hearing about Noah's achievements, he had become Roman's idol.

Now, actually meeting his idol in person and feeling the pressure he radiated, Roman felt both excited and a bit intimidated.

"I forgot," Phoebe said, pushing his hand away. She turned to Roman, "Roman, I'm heading out. See you tomorrow."

Hearing this, Noah's gaze shot straight toward Roman.

Roman had thought Noah's earlier presence was already intense enough, but now, being stared at like this, he truly experienced how powerful a person in authority could be.

He forced out a stiff smile. "See you tomorrow."

"Okay." Phoebe opened the car door, sat in the passenger seat, and fastened her seatbelt.

Noah stared at Roman for a moment before looking away. He walked around to the driver's side and got in.

The car started and soon merged into traffic.

"I agreed to let you work at the company, but if you keep neglecting your health like this, you're not going to work anymore." Noah's expression darkened.

Phoebe clenched her fists slightly. "I'm your girlfriend, not your possession!"

"Is there a difference?" Noah's tone was cold as he turned to look at her.

Phoebe looked back at him, trying hard to suppress the emotions churning inside her. "I'm also an independent person, Noah. I hope you'll respect my thoughts and not make decisions for me."

"I can respect your thoughts, but only if you take care of your health." Noah pressed the gas pedal, driving faster than usual.

Phoebe stared at him intently, speaking slowly and deliberately, "I know my own health better than you do!"

Noah acted as if he hadn't heard her, saying to himself, "From now on, you'll eat breakfast with me before coming to work. I'll pick you up at noon, and we'll go home together for dinner in the evening."

"Noah!" Phoebe spoke through gritted teeth.

Noah suddenly slammed on the brakes. The tires scraped violently against the ground, making a sharp, piercing sound.

"Phoebe, have I been spoiling you too much lately, making you forget who you are?" Noah leaned forward, forcefully gripping her chin and making her look at him.

The pain from her chin spread along her nerves to her brain, making Phoebe's eyes sting slightly.

She bit her lip and looked at him. Whether from pain or fear, a thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

"Don't test my limits." Noah's voice carried a bone-chilling coldness.

"Test your limits?" Phoebe laughed coldly, unable to tell if it was disappointment or anger. "Noah, you keep saying you like me, but have you ever given me the respect I deserve as your girlfriend?"

In the end, he just treated her like a beloved toy, never placing her on equal footing!

He could decide everything for her, and whenever she did something he didn't want her to do, he would get angry and lose his temper!

What kind of relationship was this?

It wasn't one at all!

This was imprisonment!

"What kind of respect do you want? When Vivian threatened me, should I have told you about it and asked if you wanted me to break your legs?" Noah said mockingly.

Phoebe looked straight at him. Her vision blurred for a moment, but she forced it back.

She slapped his hand away forcefully, her voice full of self-mockery and anger. "That's right, I have no ability to fight back against you and Vivian. So you didn't need to tell me anything. You just chose between prison and breaking my legs, and decided to break my legs."

Noah frowned slightly but said nothing.

"I'm useless. This is all my own fault." Phoebe said mockingly. "You're right. I got too comfortable and forgot who I am and what I've been through."

Noah's Adam's apple moved. He reached out to touch the bruise on her chin, but she turned her head away, avoiding him.

"I got too emotional just now. I'm sorry," Noah said.

Phoebe lowered her eyes and pulled at the corner of her mouth. "Why apologize? I should be thanking you instead."

She had just felt their relationship was unequal, and if Noah misunderstood, got angry, or changed his mind, she would have no power to resist.

And now, he had proven this point with his actions.

Neither of them spoke for the rest of the drive.

After returning to The Foster Mansion, Phoebe drank some soup, then went upstairs with her bag amid William's criticism.

Jade looked worried and wanted to follow, but Martha stopped her, saying, "You eat first. I'm almost full anyway, so I'll go check on her."

Phoebe returned to her room and took out the contract between Foster Enterprises and the Bell Group. She had just opened it when there was a knock at the door.

She opened it to find Martha standing outside.

"Did you fight with Mr. White?" Martha walked in and closed the door.

Phoebe said flatly, "No."

"In your current situation, you depend on Mr. White for many things. Try not to fight if you can avoid it," Martha said.

Phoebe clenched her fists slightly and made a sound of agreement, not wanting to discuss this topic further. "Martha, can you help me look at this contract?"

"Which one?" Martha took the contract and explained in detail the parts she didn't quite understand.

Phoebe took notes on everything Martha said.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Martha advised. "Ms. Archer doesn't get along well with Dad normally. Giving you such a difficult case as a newcomer means she's trying to make things hard for you."

Phoebe asked, "Generally speaking, can an assistant director handle this kind of thing?"

Martha was momentarily at a loss for words.

"I understand," Phoebe said.

Martha worried she was overworking herself. "You're trying to get pregnant right now. You shouldn't be too tired. Think about it—compared to Larry's threats, isn't achieving something at the company less important?"

"I understand what you mean. I'll take care of my health," Phoebe said. "You should go back. I'm going to read for a while."

Seeing her determined attitude, Martha sighed. "It's all that idiot Ryan's fault. Last time he said he'd work hard, but he couldn't stick with it. Recently, he's been messing around again. If only his work abilities were a bit stronger."

"No matter how many flaws Ryan has, they can't outweigh how good he is to me," Phoebe smiled faintly.

After seeing Martha off, Phoebe didn't immediately start reading. Instead, she took a pregnancy test in the bathroom.

After a while, the result came out, showing she was pregnant.

Phoebe tore up the pregnancy test, threw it in the trash, and then took out her professional books.

That night, when Noah's hand rested on her waist, she gently pushed it away and said with her back to him, "I'm already pregnant."

She pillowed her hands under her head as something cold fell into her palm.

Four days passed in the blink of an eye.

Phoebe wanted to avoid Noah and find another driver, but William didn't agree. Ryan was too busy to be seen, so she had no choice but to continue riding in the same car with Noah.

They ate three meals together, but avoided communication when possible. When they had to talk, they only said a word or two, their attitude so cold they were worse than strangers.

The Foster family also noticed something was off between Phoebe and Noah. They talked to Phoebe individually, but she brushed them all off.

Her abilities didn't match Noah's, causing an imbalance in their relationship. Plus, they both had extremely great pride and neither would give in—they simply weren't suited for each other.

Her priority now was to become stronger so that when she and Noah separated, she could still fight for custody of the child.

Today was the last day of Quinn's deadline, but except for seeing York on the first day, Phoebe and Roman hadn't seen him since.

Phoebe took out her phone, unblocked Vivian's number, and called her. "It's almost noon. Let's have lunch together."