Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run
Chapter 68

After a couple more hours of mingling, Clara finally slipped into Dylan's car, ready to head back to the Capital. The folks from North Ashford were all gathered outside, their faces a mix of reluctance and warmth.

"Clara, once our town gets better, you've got to come back and visit us," one of them called out.

"My family got quite a bit in compensation. We're planning to buy a house in the Capital and come see you," another added with a hopeful grin.

"Sweetheart, how's your back? I was out of line last time and shouldn't have hit you with the rake," an older voice chimed in, full of regret.

The farmers' voices floated in through the open window. Clara had only spent a few days with them, but already they couldn't bear the thought of her leaving.

No one had ever managed to lift North Ashford's apples out of the mud and turn the place into a tourist spot. Old grudges from decades past were finally put to rest, and they didn't have to worry about the folks from South Ashford anymore. Life was on the up, and they would focus on apple growing and tourism

development. The old village leader's dream was coming true, and gratitude was in the air.

Clara glanced in the rearview mirror at the people who lingered. She felt a wave of emotion.

Truthfully, she hadn't done much. The people of North Ashford, from the elders to the kids, had a genuine simplicity that was so different from the atmosphere in South Ashford.

She took a deep breath, offering a soft smile. "Mr. Dylan, developing tourism here could also be great for the company. The locals are genuine and will get along just fine with tourists. I'd worry about the South Ashford folks and their ways. They'd overcharge visitors."

Dylan, flipping through some documents, gave a quiet "Hmm" in response.

This was the first project Clara had seen through after she woke up, and excitement buzzed within her.

They drove in a comfortable silence. She was beat and soon dozed off against the window. By the time she woke up, they'd reached the Capital.

The car had stopped just outside her apartment complex. She quickly got out, bending slightly to say, "Thanks, Mr. Dylan, for the ride back."

She expected him to drive off once she finished speaking, but Dylan looked up from his papers, locking eyes with her. Just as Clara wondered if she had something on her face, he shifted his gaze and rolled up the window.

Standing there, Clara felt a delayed awkwardness. As she turned to head home, she spotted Naomi at the entrance.

Naomi didn't look too happy, marching over with purpose. "Clara, what's going on with you? Your dad's at home, nearly losing his mind, and Quinn's not in a good mood either. You need to come back with me and apologize."

Naomi's tone was calmer this time, not like her usual outbursts. She thought Clara would be moved and rush back home, but Clara's eyes just skimmed over her briefly before looking away calmly. She looked totally uninterested.

Naomi had assumed that if she made the first move, Clara would revert to the obedient daughter she remembered. Now that she was ignored, her temper flared.

"What's your problem?! Everyone at home is miserable because of you, and you still won't think about it? Do you even know why Simon never liked you?"

"Naomi, I have thought about it. It's because there's always a sister in the house who keeps trying to seduce him. When men are faced with that kind of attention, they usually can't resist, so I let him go. But you're all so weird-when I wanted him, you were upset, and now that I don't, you're still upset."

Naomi was trembling with anger. "Are you crazy? Why are you talking about Quinn like that?"

Clara was already on her way into the complex, her voice cool. "Don't come looking for me again. I've told you I'm done with you all. As for the engagement with Simon, I'll handle it with the Ferguson family myself."

Naomi was used to Clara smoothing things over but couldn't handle the sudden change. She took a deep breath. "Don't regret this. I know you used to do this just to get our attention."