Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 255

After Simon left, Clara planned to dive into her upcoming projects, but her focus was shattered when Eden swept

in, storming straight to the CEO's office.

"Dylan!" she cried out, tears threatening to spill over. She had wanted to complain to Dylan last night but

couldn't find him at Palm Bay. Now, her emotions were overflowing.

Dylan barely reacted, listening as she vented, "Look at this, Clara did this! She was so reckless, she hit my

forehead, and there was so much blood yesterday. Dylan, you have to punish her severely!"

Clara knew Eden cto stir up trouble. When she was called into the office, she was prepared for anything, but

she didn't expect Dylan to take Eden's complaints so seriously.

"Mr. Dylan," she greeted, but he didn't even glance her way, just tossed a file in her direction. "You're in charge

of negotiating this project."

It was a project with the Dawson family. Given Jackson's dislike for her, she knew this would be a rough ride.

Eden, aware of Clara's history with the Dawsons, clung to Dylan's arm with a smug look. "Dylan, | knew you'd

have my back!"

She smirked at Clara. "Oh, a deal with the Dawsons. Everyone knows they can't stand you. I'm curious to see

how they'll give you a hard time. Just a friendly tip: don't start anything with them. The Dawsons can make

someone disappear without a trace."

With Dylan's backing, Eden was fearless.

Clara felt a knot in her stomach, unsure why.

She picked up the file and turned to leave, overhearing Dylan ask Eden, "Satisfied?"

He was checking if Eden was happy with how he handled Clara.

Eden beamed, "Very satisfied. Dylan, are you going back to the family htonight? | heard Grandpa wants

everyone there, probably to announce something big?"

Clara closed the door, still feeling uneasy.

But she quickly pulled herself together. After all, she wasn't anyone special to Dylan. It made sense he'd favor

Eden, right?

She chuckled bitterly, recalling the last conversation she overheard. Cedric was likely going to announce

something about Lincoln. Lincoln had vanished, and now the whole Ferguson family couldn't reach him. Cedric

was probably going to give sfolks a stern talking-to.

What he didn't realize was that the mastermind was his seemingly laid-back youngest son.

Dylan's calm appearance hid a ruthless streak.

Clara worked late, feeling increasingly uneasy, and finally vented to Z.

[My boss is blind, coddling someone like Eden.]

Z took a few minutes to reply.

[Did you have a rough time?]

Clara hadn't felt too upset initially, but his question made her heart pang.

It was her own foolishness, thinking she and Dylan were at least on the steam. Sending her to deal with the

Dawsons felt like sending her to the wolves, didn't it?

Men.

[A bit. I just can't wrap my head around why he'd side with someone so shallow.] [Maybe everyone has their

reasons. Just try to steer clear in the future.]

Clara knew that was her only option, but steering clear of Eden wasn't realistic. Eden would seek her out to

cause problems.

She packed up her desk, ready to leave Ferguson Corporation, when she spotted Eden and two bodyguards.

Eden wasn't shy about playing dirty. If she could be so bold in front of Dylan, there was no telling what she'd do

now that she was waiting for Clara.

Sensing danger, Clara stepped back into the elevator.

Outside, Eden taunted, "Clara, you witch, if you have the guts, don't go hlater. Every t| see you, I'm

going to hit you. With Dylan spoiling me, I'm not afraid of anything!"

The elevator whisked Clara back to the top floor.

The top floor was deserted now, with only her left. Her car was in the underground parking, but Eden's men were

stationed there. Not taking the garage was a dead- end, and she'd likely end up half-dead if Eden's bodyguards

caught her.

Was she going to have to spend the night at the office?

She rubbed her eyes, exhausted from a full day of work, and felt drowsy.

Just as she was about to lay her head down on the desk, the elevator doors opened, revealing Simon.

She never thought she'd be so glad to see Simon, though something was clearly wrong with him.

"Simon, what's wrong?"

Simon looked pale and weak, as if he might faint at any moment. He grabbed her hand.

"My bodyguard called, said Eden's giving you a hard time. | cas soon as | could."

He had just regained consciousness an hour ago, hadn't even had tto investigate who attacked him, and

now he was here, barely holding himself together, looking for Clara.

Clara shook off his hand, watching as he stumbled back a few steps, struggling to stay upright.

She frowned, then quickly moved to support him.

Simon's eyes showed a hint of satisfaction. Coming to Clara while injured was sure to soften her resolve.

He weakly coughed, leaning against her. "I was going to investigate more about that car accident this morning,

but not long after leaving Ferguson Corporation, | was knocked out and taken to the hospital. I only woke up an

hour ago. Clara, do you think someone is deliberately stoppingbecause they don't want you to know the

truth about the accident?"

Clara saw that his weakness didn't seem feigned.

Though Simon might be foolish, he wasn't beyond saving.

She took a deep breath, impatiently helping him up.

Simon caught a whiff of her perfume, his eyes reddening with emotion. "Clara..."