Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run
Chapter 6

After finishing her meal, Clara hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "Could you lend me some money?"

Megan took a deep breath, "You spent two hundred grand on those cufflinks for Simon last week, and now you're saying you're broke?"

Clara sheepishly scratched her cheek. "I had to borrow money for the hospital bill yesterday. I'll pay you back eventually."

Megan transferred ten thousand bucks to her and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. "Your family's been tightening the purse strings for ages, and you keep squirreling away every penny to buy gifts for Simon and butter up his relatives. Well, it's no use talking about it now. Consider it a gift. If you need a place to crash tonight, you're welcome here."

Clara felt a wave of gratitude wash over her.

She had decided to take a job at Ferguson Corporation, which meant she needed to grab her ID and other documents from her family's place.

When she got to the Bradford house, she felt a bit uneasy and pressed the doorbell. A voice from inside called out, "Who is it?"

Ryan opened the door and, seeing her, immediately grew irritated. "Clara, what's your deal? Didn't I tell you to make breakfast earlier? Why are you only just getting back now? Hurry up, I'm starving."

Clara looked at the tall, handsome guy standing in front of her, and took her time changing her shoes in the foyer.

"Isn't there a housekeeper?"

"The housekeeper's food doesn't taste as good as yours. What's gotten into you? You've been cooking for us forever, so why're you saying this? Isn't it your job to cook for the family? Even when you had a fever, you'd still cook for us. Mom would praise you, and you'd be thrilled for the rest of the day."

Clara felt a pang in her chest and glanced over at the couch.

There sat Quinn, Naomi, and her dad, Johnny.

Naomi scoffed, "I thought you weren't coming to make breakfast this morning. Couldn't keep up the act, could you? Get to the kitchen. Your brother's starving. You really don't know how to be a big sister."

Quinn, lounging on the loveseat, smiled sweetly at her mom's words. "Clara, I want broccoli and shrimp. Go easy on the salt. I don't want to bloat. Simon and I are getting our photos taken soon."

She then turned to Naomi. "Mom, Dad, what would you like to eat?"

Naomi's face lit up with a smile as she affectionately patted Quinn's head. "Quinn, you're always so considerate."

Clara stood in the foyer, replaceing the situation a tad ridiculous. She even noticed the housekeeper approaching, holding out an apron with a slightly reproachful tone, "Miss Clara, you usually start breakfast by five, but it's already seven. Everyone's been waiting and is quite hungry. Next time, if you're running late, please let us know in advance."

Everyone seemed to treat Clara like a workhorse.

Clara didn't take the apron and instead turned toward the stairs.

Everyone else was caught off guard, and Ryan quickly got agitated. "Clara, what are you doing? I'm seriously hungry. Apologize to Quinn for missing her birthday yesterday, and then go cook!"

Naomi added, "Clara, they prefer your cooking, and you're used to it. Stop being difficult right now."

Clara had reached the staircase by then and, hearing this, chuckled softly.