Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

After waking up and grabbing a quick bite, Clara felt like she was moving through molasses. Everything tasted bland, and by the time she settled at her desk, she could barely stifle a yawn. She just wasn't herself today.

It wasn't until Cole, adjusting his glasses with a sincere look, suggested, "Ms. Bradford, maybe a turtleneck would be better?"

Clara, still foggy from the morning haze, sipped her coffee. "Why's that?"

Cole just gave her a knowing look.noveldrama

It wasn't until her lunch break that she saw her reflection and noticed the rosy glow on her face and the unmistakable marks on her neck. Her cheeks turned crimson as she instinctively tried to pull up her collar, only to remember she wasn't wearing a turtleneck today and it offered no help.

Caught off guard by her own appearance, she quickly ordered a scarf online with a plea for speedy delivery.

That afternoon, Clara had a critical meeting with a new executive about a potential government contract. She was determined to nail it.

At three on the dot, she wrapped the newly delivered scarf around her neck and headed to the meeting with Cole. The venue was a swanky hotel, perfect for business talks.

But when she opened the door to the private room, she froze. Along with the new executive, Jared, was Jeffree.

She'd just had a spat with Jeffree, and if he was tight with Jared, their project could be doomed.

Jeffree looked equally surprised to see Clara. His eyes widened before he cozied up to the person next to him. "Jared, is she the one we're meeting?"

Jared, only twenty-six, had climbed the corporate ladder, thanks in part to his ties with the Warren family. He gently nudged Jeffree aside and nodded at Clara. "Ms. Clara, please, take a seat."

Not quite sure of the dynamic between them, Clara carefully took a seat. "Mr. Warren, I've heard a lot about you."

Jared seemed a bit embarrassed, his lips twitching in a half-smile. "Not sure how much of it is worth hearing. If it weren't for this project, you probably wouldn't know me at all."

Clara quickly sized him up as someone lacking subtlety. A savvy businessperson wouldn't talk down about themselves.

She smiled warmly. "On the contrary, Mr. Warren. You were the top student of your year. Back when I was hitting the books hard, I'd read about top students like you every year."

Jared's face brightened, a blush creeping onto his cheeks as he raised his glass. "I'm surprised you actually know that."

Clara picked up her glass, clinking it gently with his.

Watching their easy conversation, Jeffree tightened his grip on Jared's arm, frustrated. "Jared, you shouldn't partner with her. Haven't you heard about her? She even got on Mr. Dylan's bad side. Who knows how long the Bradford Group will last?"

Anyone who crossed Dylan got swallowed up. Just last night, Clara had boldly sat on Dylan's lap and kissed him in front of everyone. Audacious and shameless!

Dylan might seem aloof, but his actions were anything but gentle.

Jared hesitated, visibly conflicted.

Jeffree shot Clara a smug look, confident that his presence would derail the deal.

Clara set her glass down calmly. "Two nights ago, I left The Grand Hotel, and Mr. Dylan didn't lay a finger on me."

Jeffree jumped to his feet, furious. "What's that supposed to mean? The Grand Hotel isn't for the likes of you. You're just spinning tales!"