Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run
Chapter 69

Clara didn't break her stride as she headed straight home. Naomi watched her go with a smug grin, convinced Clara would eventually replace her way back to the Bradford family. It was just a question of how long she could keep up the pretense this time around.

The next morning, Clara was back at the Ferguson Corporation, reporting for duty. After a week on a business trip, she'd shed a few pounds. As she stepped out of the elevator, she crossed paths with Simon.

Simon gave her a look of disdain, pretended she wasn't there, and sped up his pace, thinking it might rattle her. But Clara didn't bat an eyelid, diving straight into a conversation with a colleague about the success of her latest assignment. An email had already confirmed her raise.

Jade couldn't help but roll her eyes upon hearing that Clara had secured a raise just for completing a community project. During the lunchtime meeting, she took a shot at Clara. "I hope everyone here knows they need to work harder. Unlike some folks with connections, we work ourselves to the bone and never see a raise."

Clara, seated at her desk, listened in. She threw a glance at Simon, who was at the table's head. Simon was the department head, while Jade was just a manager.

Clara smirked, her tone light. "Mr. Simon, sounds like Jade's talking about you. Is it really true our team works overtime without seeing a raise? If so, you're not doing a great job as director. I thought the company was fair about overtime pay. Or is someone pocketing the extras?"

Jade had aimed her jab at Clara, but Clara flipped it back towards Simon. Truth be told, Simon was the one with the real connections.

Jade's face went ashen. "Mr. Simon, that's not what I meant."

Simon felt caught in the middle, recognizing Clara's clever maneuver. Jade's complaints had left him with little choice but to respond. Staying quiet would make him look weak.

"Jade, you are a manager. You should know better than to speak so carelessly." Jade's face fell further, and she shot Clara a look full of daggers. Clara just raised an eyebrow, focused on her paperwork, and kept quiet.

Jade had always been wary of Clara, seeing her as someone who had used connections to get ahead. This incident only deepened their rift.

Later that evening, just as Clara was about to leave work, she got word of a compulsory department dinner. She wasn't keen but saw the mandatory notice in the group chat. In order not to draw more attention, she had to catch a cab to the venue.

When she arrived at the hotel suite, everyone else was already settled. Jade, true to form, couldn't resist a dig. "Some people think they're more important than the boss and show up later than the management. You'd think she was the one running the show."

Clara brushed off the comment and planned to make her leave after a short while. She felt no need to fit in. Her paycheck was on point, and that was all she cared about.

The dinner was at a swanky five-star hotel, complete with soundproof private rooms and even a karaoke setup. Simon was there too, a rare sight at these gatherings.

Simon's standing as a Ferguson family member was undeniably impressive. Being in his good graces could open doors to the Capital's elite circles. Who wouldn't be tempted?

A few girls pretended to be tipsy, sidling up to Simon and speaking nonsense. Simon was undeniably good-looking, and he made sure to turn instinctively to Clara as the girls flirted with him.

Clara had been fiercely possessive in the past and would step in if anyone dared to approach him. Simon had reveled in her jealousy and expected the same now.

However, Clara remained unfazed. Her attention was on her phone even as a girl's hand lingered on Simon's chest. Eventually, Simon pushed the girl away, unable to endure it any longer.

He looked at Clara, who appeared indifferent, and his pride took a hit. "Clara! Are you blind? Didn't you see someone trying to hit on me?"