Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

She dried her hair, crawled into bed, and didn't wake up until the next morning.

When she got up, Charles had already ordered takeout, so she just sat down and ate with him. But before long, she was out the door to buy groceries and got busy cooking as soon as she got home.

Two hours later, she called Aiden.

Aiden answered, glanced at the man focused on work across the room, and stepped aside to speak quietly.

"Ma'am?"

By then, Clara was already downstairs at the company. She'd been to Ferguson Corporation before-and even covered for Dylan for a few days-so everyone there recognized her.

She asked, "Has Dylan had breakfast yet?"

"No, ma'am. The CEO came in at six this morning."

Clara made a little noise of understanding, grabbed the bag she was carrying, and headed for the elevator. Charles followed her, grumbling.

"All this is for him? I barely got a taste! You're so biased-it's not like he didn't kick you out of Palm Bay."

"Just wait for me downstairs, Charles," Clara said without looking back.

Charles pouted, annoyed that Clara had gotten up early just to make breakfast for her brother-in-law. The smell alone was enough to make his mouth water-at least she'd packed a portion for him too. That made him feel a bit better.

Clara took the elevator up to the top floor.

Everyone there knew her; after all, her reputation for firing people just a few days ago still lingered.

She knocked on the CEO's office door. Dylan's voice came from inside.

"Come in."

She pushed the door open and glanced around-no sign of Aiden.

Dylan was sitting at his desk. When he saw her, his hands paused over his work,

a frown on his face, like he wanted to say something.

But Clara moved faster. She opened the breakfast she'd brought and set it in front of him.

"Aiden said you skipped breakfast. Eat something."

His laptop was still open; he was obviously still working.

Dylan had always been a workaholic-once he got into work mode, everything else slipped his mind.

Clara just gathered up his paperwork, stacked it neatly off to the side, and put chopsticks right into his hand.

"Eat."

He stared at her for a long moment, like he was trying to figure her out.

Just then, the office door swung open and someone else walked in.

Tara.

She was holding a Tupperware container too. The moment she saw Clara, her eyes narrowed, and she let out a cold laugh.

"Clara, the

said youerguson family already

are not allowed a

office still hasn't gotten

Ferguson Corporation no

the

Tara walked closer, eyeing the homemade dishes Clara had set in front of Dylan,

and sneered.

"By the way, I've already talked to the Fergusons. From now on, I'll be in charge of Dylan's meals-so his

6mach problems don't come

-

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Tara had wanted to cook herself, but since she couldn't really cook, she'd brought food made by a professional chef-nutritious and balanced, of course.

She reached out, about to throw Clara's breakfast away, when Dylan suddenly spoke up.

"And you are?"

Tara's eyes went wide with excitement.

"Clara, did you hear that? Dylan asked who you are. Take your trash and get out!"noveldrama

Clara looked over at Dylan. His face had turned dark and cold-he clearly wasn't happy.

But she just lowered her gaze, took the chopsticks from his hand, picked up a bite of food, and held it to his lips.

"Open up."

He looked at her for a long moment, then, almost without thinking, opened his mouth.

She fed him the bite.

"How is it?"

He chewed, realized what had just happened, and immediately went silent.

Tara's face was red with anger, watching Clara act so bold.

How could someone be so shameless? Dylan clearly didn't like her anymore, and she was still forcing him to eat?

Clara handed the chopsticks back to Dylan.

"If you like it, eat more. I'll bring lunch at one, and dinner at six. Remember to rest

at noon, and don't stay up past ten."

Dylan held the chopsticks, thinking for several seconds before finally saying,

"You..."

But Clara was already heading for the door.

"I'll be back at one. I'll bring some fruit too."

He stared at the chopsticks in his hand, and after a moment, managed a quiet,

"Okay."