Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

The doctor shook his head and said quietly, "Sir, the major families in North America, together with the local tycoons, have the economy locked down tight. We may have money, but unless we establish ourselves over there, no one's going to tell us anything."

The Ferguson family in North America-Dylan knew he had to go. Even if it was just for Clara, he needed answers.

He closed the file, his eyelashes lowering. "Maybe back then... I should've stopped it."

But selfishness had gotten the best of him. When he heard those people say she'd lose her memory, a twisted hope had flared up in his chest.

And sure enough, after she forgot everything, she reached out to him first. It was the moment he'd secretly wanted for years.

"Sir, this isn't your fault. Even if you'd stopped that last time, Mrs. Ferguson would still have episodes of amnesia. This one just lasted longer than usual. The people behind it are based in North America. We don't know if they've got people here in the country, so you and Mrs. Ferguson need to be careful."

Everyone connected to the Ferguson family was watching that spot like hawks.

Dylan used to be the frontrunner, but after ending up in a wheelchair these past two years, the assassination attempts dropped by half overnight.

Everyone assumed he was out of the game.

And the Fergusons in North America hadn't made any real moves either. The family elder had kept his mouth shut all these years.

Dylan lowered his eyes, his voice soft. "The medicine you gave me last time was supposed to help her recover. Why didn't it work?"

"You asked me to avoid anything too strong. The medicine I gave you is gentle-it can help her remember, but it takes time. Lately, she's been getting headaches. If we'd used something stronger, she could've ended up in a coma for a month."

Dylan rubbed his fingertips together, thinking of what to say, when his phone buzzed.

It was a message from her.

[What do you want to eat? I'll bring something back.]

Clara hadn't planned on going back to Palm Bay, but for some reason, an image

of Dylan sitting alone on the couch popped into her mind.

She stopped in front of a dessert shop and figured she'd ask if he wanted anything.

He probably wasn't into sweets, right?

But the moment she asked, he actually said yes.

She turned to the shop assistant and pointed at the simplest dessert. "Could you please wrap this one up for me?"

Meanwhile, Charles was already hauling several bags loaded with desserts. He loved anything tasty, no matter what it was.

While Clara was paying, the server warned her, "Miss, the dessert you picked is really sweet. Most people can't handle it on its own. We usually suggest pairing it with an Americano for afternoon tea."

Dylan, who hardly ever chose anything, had picked the sweetest one of all.

Clara nodded and headed back to Palm Bay with Charles.

When they got home, Charlesnoveldrama

bet

disappeared into his room with his full, calling out, "Night, sis!

$ go out again tom

Clara smiled, grabbed Dylan's dessert, and headed to the study.

He was there, typing away at his laptop.

She knocked, then walked in and set the dessert next to his computer. "This is for you."

He looked up at her, then at the fancy packaging. "Thanks."

Clara pressed her lips together, watching as he carefully unwrapped it and

scooped up a small bite with a spoon.

She was about to say, "If it's too

sweet, just have a taste or two,” remembering the server's advice about pairing it with black coffee.

But he took another bite, expression calm, eyes lowered, already going in for a

third.

She couldn't help but ask, "Do you really like sweets that much?"

"Sweets?" He sounded genuinely confused.

Clara frowned. Did the server exaggerate?

"Well, just get some rest after you finish. I'm going to bed."

She rubbed her brow and headed for the door, but paused, glancing back. “Can I sleep in the guest room tonight?"

He just murmured an "Okay,” still lost in thought, staring down at the dessert.