Chapter 71

After Phoebe finished speaking, she shifted her gaze away from Reece and gently poked Maddox’s arm, then pointed to an open magazine. “Have you been here?” she asked, gesturing at a page in a travel magazine that displayed a picturesque island.

Lucky enough to have time travel, Phoebe was determined to cut ties with those who had wronged her and to work diligently. She also wanted to savor life, filling her free time with travel and beautiful scenery.

Maddox’s eyes sparkled with amusement. He found Phoebe’s little poke on his arm utterly adorable. Leaning in to get a closer look at the page, he replied, “I actually have been there. Though it’s a small island, it ha…”

Maddox then began enthusiastically describing the island, his words flowing non-stop. Phoebe’s eyes lit up with interest as she replied, “I have to go there when I have some free time.”

Maddox lowered his voice in a quiet invitation. “I know the island well, even a lesser-known, good diving spot. Want me to show you around?”

Since Phoebe saw Maddox as a friend, she didn’t hesitate. “Sure, and maybe I can ask Lexie to join us or invite a few friends along.”

A group outing, full of friends and excitement, sounded perfect. Though Maddox would have preferred going with Phoebe alone, he knew it was unwise. If they got photographed and it made its way online, rumors of a romantic relationship would be inevitable.

Maddox didn’t mind the group outing; their plans were finalized.

“So it’s settled then,” he said, casting an intentionally dismissive look at Reece, who still stood nearby, listening. “Reece, why are you still here?” he asked with mild disdain. “The show’s over!”

The implication was clear. Reece’s performance was enough, and he needed to stop acting.

Reece was about to respond when a flight attendant approached and politely requested that he return to his seat since the plane was about to take off. He swallowed his words and maintained his composure, giving the attendant a polite nod. “Okay.”

He cast one last, intense look at Maddox and Phoebe before turning back to his seat. Once seated, Reece closed his eyes in feigned sleep, his face… tense.

Though they were seated close enough that Reece could still hear them, Phoebe’s cheerful tone as she discussed plans for the island getaway with Maddox seemed to dig deeper into him.

The thing that stung the most was that Phoebe readily accepted Maddox’s invitation. She broke up with him, yet she can still be so carefree, planning a trip with someone else? Was their breakup really this much of a relief for her? I don’t buy it, Reece thought bitterly.

Sienna, sitting nearby, tightened her grip on her dress, her expression darkening. She could hardly believe her own eyes, watching Reece lower himself to this level, practically begging Phoebe for a reconciliation.

When alone with Sienna, Reece was typically attentive, yet he maintained a cold, aloof elegance. So his first crush and true love aren’t me? Sienna fumed as she wondered. It didn’t make sense to her. It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way.

Sienna couldn’t help but consider, ‘Maybe men never appreciate what they have. Only when they’ve lost it do they realize its worth.’ This realization filled her with growing regret.

Sienna regretted her initial schemes to push Phoebe out of the Jenkins family and to sabotage her relationship with Reece. If Phoebe hadn’t abruptly severed ties with the Jenkins family and Reece, things might not have escalated this far, spiraling completely out of Sienna’s control.

Jamar listened closely to Phoebe and Maddox’s conversation, and the more he heard, the more envious he became. I never took Phoebe out on a fun trip like that. What gives Maddox the right, he thought, irritated. That guy’s so shameless, constantly cozying up to Phoebe like some overgrown mutt wagging its tail for her attention.

After around three hours, their plane finally landed at Solara City Airport. The show crew escorted Phoebe and the six other guests off the plane, heading toward the exit. Halfway through, a familiar, joyful voice rang out from up ahead. “Phoebe!”

Recognizing the voice, Phoebe looked up to see a striking woman with a tall, elegant figure waving enthusiastically. It was her closest friend, Brenda, who also happened to be Reece’s twin sister.

Once, Reece and Brenda had been inseparable, but after Reece returned to Solara City, their relationship gradually cooled. Yet, from the very first day Brenda and Phoebe met, they had clicked instantly, their bond deepening with each shared moment until they became inseparable.

Phoebe’s face broke into a delighted smile. “Hi, Brenda!”

Brenda rushed over, wrapping Phoebe in a tight hug. “Oh, babe, I’ve missed you so much!”

Phoebe returned the embrace warmly. “I missed you, too.”

As they pulled apart, Phoebe linked her arm with Brenda’s and asked as they walked, “How come you’re back!”

Brenda had left after a big fight with her family, chasing after someone she loved who had moved overseas. Before Phoebe’s passing before the time travel, Brenda had never come back, though they had always stayed in touch. Whenever Phoebe argued or had a falling out with Reece, Brenda was unwavering in her support of Phoebe. They hadn’t seen each other in ages, so Phoebe was genuinely surprised when she suddenly saw Brenda.

Brenda turned, her eyes full of concern for Phoebe. “I saw what was happening on social media. I knew you’d be back in Solara City today, so I booked a ticket to come home. I’d planned to head to my apartment first and surprise you later, but then I overheard people talking about you guys here and, well, turns out we ran into each other at the airport instead?”

Seeing Phoebe dragged through the mud online and embroiled in conflict with her brother Reece had made Brenda worry Phoebe might be hurt or struggling, so Brenda rushed back to be by her side.

Touched, Phoebe leaned her head affectionately on Brenda’s shoulder. “I’m fine, really. You’re the best, Brenda.”

Brenda patted her with a fond smile. “Of course I am. I love you forever.”

Reece, who had just noticed Brenda’s arrival, was visibly caught off guard. Watching her fuss over Phoebe as if he weren’t even there, he finally spoke up. “Brenda, did you let the family know you’d be coming back?”

Hearing his question, Brenda glanced over at him. “And why would I do that?”

Reece frowned. “If you don’t tell them, how will they prepare?”

Brenda gave an indifferent shrug. “No need to prepare. I’m not going back there.”

Reece pressed. “It’s your home.”

Rolling her eyes, Brenda shot back. “Not interested. I’d rather avoid going back and enduring her company.”

Reece’s brows knitted tighter. “She’s your mother.”

Reece had been led astray by Brenda. Whenever Reece thought of or mentioned their mother, he would automatically associate her with that person.

But Brenda waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t bring her up. I can’t stand even hearing about her.”

With that, Brenda released Phoebe’s arm and stepped over to Reece, giving him a look up and down, taking him in from head to toe.

Confused, Reece asked, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Brenda raised an eyebrow in disdain. “I’m just wondering how my brother turned into such a lying jerk.”

Reece’s expression darkened. “Brenda, is that any way to talk to me? I’m your brother.”

She scoffed. “Not only am I going to talk to you like that, but I’m also going to give you what you deserve.”

And before anyone could react, Brenda swung a punch at his left cheek. While Reece was still reeling, she landed several more strikes, hitting him wherever she could reach.

“You little bastard!” Brenda raged. “Teaming up with some shameless lowlifes to bully Pheebs! You think you’re above consequences! I’ll teach you a lesson myself!”

“Who do you think you are! Ever since you came back to Solara City, it’s like you learned every twisted, cold-hearted trick from that woman, like you’re her perfect replica!”