Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run
Chapter 111

In the past few days, she had been steering clear of Dylan, avoiding his office unless absolutely necessary. She was doing her best to fly under the radar and even contemplated switching back to her old department.

Lost in her thoughts, Simon suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand. "Come on, let's step outside. I need to talk to you," he said.

Clara instantly pulled her hand away.

Simon frowned slightly but soon flashed a smile. "Ryan told me everything. He said you've been a bit off-kilter because of my wedding and asked me to keep an eye on you. Clara, you're a grown woman. Can't you handle this better?"

Clara took a deep breath. She couldn't shake the feeling that Dylan's gaze was locked on her-intense and unwavering, yet lacking warmth.

"Are you finished? You really think you're that important, huh? Do you honestly believe I'd lose my mind over your wedding?"

Simon was so convinced her recent erratic behavior was due to being overly upset. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "Alright, let's go see a therapist after work."

Clara had had enough. She kneed him where it hurt the most.

Simon doubled over in pain, his face turning a sickly shade. "Clara!"

Clara felt a wave of satisfaction but froze when she met Dylan's gaze. She had actually hurt Simon in front of another Ferguson. Dylan was bound to be displeased.

"Mr. Dylan, I didn't mean to, I just..."

Dylan was the most intimidating person she'd ever met. Under his scrutiny, lies felt transparent and awkward.

He looked away, his lashes lowering. "Go clean the archive room for a day."

That was her punishment. But surprisingly, it was just cleaning the archive room.

She nodded quickly. "I'll get right on it." Once outside his office, she hurried off to the Ferguson Corporation's archive room.

After she left, only Dylan and a pained-looking Simon remained. Simon straightened up with difficulty, still trying to cover for Clara Dylan, I'll take her to see a therapist later. She might really be having some issues."

Dylan glanced down at the file in his hands. His tone was calm as he said, "Are you sure it's because of you?"

Something seemed to set Simon off, and a ridiculous thought crossed his mind. He blurted out without thinking. "Clara and I have slept together."

The office atmosphere went dead silent like someone hit pause.

Simon didn't look up at Dylan, feeling the weight of the sudden tension His pride as a man held him steady. "We grew up together. Emotions got the better of us."

His hands slowly clenched, his fingertips trembling. "Dylan, aren't you supposed to see Shelly today?"

The last sentence was a reminder not to forget Shelly.

Simon's heart raced for reasons he couldn't grasp. Dylan was the most prestigious man in the city; surely, he wouldn't be interested in Clara if she slept around.

He wasn't trying to belittle Clara, but

he couldn't suppress his darker thoughts. The room stayed silent a long time before Dylan finally. spoke. "Someone who cares

Pol.ne

her wouldn't talk about her like that."

QUMS

With that one sentence, Dylan made his stance crystal clear.

Simon found it hard to hold his head high, gritting his teeth to keep his composure. "I'm just reminding you, Dylan. Clara was once my woman."

"Get out."

Dylan's words were brief. His focus was on the documents in front of him, seemingly unbothered by Simon's statement.

Simon began to doubt himself, wondering if he was overthinking things. Dylan and Clara seemed to exist in completely different worlds.

Once outside, Simon still felt uneasy, his face a shade paler. Dark thoughts crept

in, and suddenly, the idea of Clara marrying Nate didn't seem so bad after all.