Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Cole had been with Johnny for years, so of course he cared about the company. Maybe that was why Ryan thought he could open up to him.

Cole suddenly smiled, his eyes drifting to the dark city outside the window.

"Come on, Ryan. Blood ties aren't everything. You think old families don't have enough backstabbing? If you ask me, Ms. Bradford is one of the rare few who actually knows how to keep her cool-and keep her cards close to her chest. She's never treated you badly, not openly or behind your back. Sure, she might be hiding something, but how do you know she doesn't have her reasons? Besides, she's never tried to take the company from you."

Even an outsider could see things clearly, yet Ryan was still doubting her. No wonder Clara was so disappointed.

Ryan's face went pale, then flushed with frustration. He rubbed his forehead, exhausted. "I want to go see that old alternative medicine doctor again. Maybe he knows something. Cole, my head is a mess. I went from nineteen to twenty, and my whole world turned upside down in a single year."

Cole let out a long sigh, then just asked what was on his mind.

"So, Clara's disappearance-does it have anything to do with you?"

Ryan went quiet, dropping his hand and slumping in his seat. "I just wanted her to get her memory back."

He never wanted to hurt Clara. He never wanted her company, either.

He just needed to know if her kindness toward him was real.

He was scared, so he needed answers.noveldrama

Cole had already reached the door. He paused, looking back just once.

"Go apologize, Ryan. Maybe she'll forgive you. But if you just sit here and do nothing, when she comes back, you'll be out of her life for good."

Ryan had felt it, deep down. In Clara's world, if she wanted to protect you, she would. But if she stopped caring, you could give her all the money in the world and she still wouldn't look your way again.

Panic hit him hard, making it impossible to sit still.

Ten minutes after Cole left, Ryan called Megan.

"Megan, where's Clara? I need to talk to her face to face."

Megan's brow furrowed. Why was he suddenly changing his mind again?

A hint of coldness flashed in her

eyes, but she kept her voice

"Ryan, it's way too late. How

afternoon?"

bet

gentle.

about

She was planning to act first thing in the morning anyway.

Ryan glanced at the clock-it was almost four in the morning. He grabbed his jacket, ready to head out.

"Now. I just need a few minutes. I'll drive to wherever you are."

"But I just got called into work last minute. I won't be off until at least eleven tomorrow."

"I'll pay you whatever you lose in wages," he insisted.

There was just no getting through to him.

Megan wanted to hang up. She hadn't expected Ryan to be this stubborn.

She tried changing the subject. "Have you taken care of everything for Sarah's funeral?"

Ryan narrowed his eyes, finally catching on. He wasn't stupid.

He dropped his gaze, refusing to be led off track. "No more games. I'm coming to see Clara now. If you don't give me the address, I'll call the police and tell them you've

kidnapped her."

"You-!"

Megan had never met anyone like him. For a second, she was speechless.

She took a deep breath. "Fine. Give me at least an hour. I need to wrap up a few things at work."

She hung up before he could answer, then immediately called Simon, hoping he had a backup plan.

But Simon didn't even know where

Clara's boyfriend lived, let alone

bet

to draw him out. His voice ww

and flat.

cold

"Just stick to your original plan. Make sure she survives. Call me when you're done I'll come pick her up."

He wanted to play the hero, making sure Clara had no choice but to rely on him.