Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

"Clara?"

Hearing her name, Ryan's head snapped up, and suddenly all his pain seemed to vanish. Hope sparkled in his eyes. "Really? Did Clara really send you? Why won't she come see me?"

It was Sarah who had made her way in, having jumped through hoops to get there. Clara sure was strict with her brother.

A knowing smile flickered on Sarah's lips. Megan had nailed it; Clara had a tough exterior, both with herself and others, but she was a total softie when it came to the family and friends she vowed to protect. Her so-called 'guarding' was really just her way of keeping Ryan safe. If he kept spiraling, his life would be over.

Sarah's grudge against Clara fit perfectly with Megan's scheme to make Clara suffer.noveldrama

On Sarah's first night at the club, Clara had singled her out, just a quick look at Dylan and a cool ten grand, instantly solving her money troubles.

She craved the wealthy lifestyle and wanted Dylan even more. But if Clara was just going to mess with her, Sarah was ready to make her pay, whatever it took.

Megan quickly hatched a plan: Sarah was to seduce Ryan and get pregnant. With a child on the way, Clara wouldn't dare touch her out of respect for the late Johnny.

Plus, Megan assured Sarah that Ryan, sheltered as he was and overly reliant on Clara, still had a naive heart. Once he had a child, he'd step up as a dad. Every hurtful thing Ryan said would cut Clara deep.

The messier Ryan's life got, the guiltier Clara would feel about Johnny. Sarah admired and feared Megan's knack for hitting where it hurt most.

Megan also pointed out Ryan's good looks and his lack of romantic history. With Clara's backing, it wouldn't be long before he'd be worth billions. Sticking with Ryan at his lowest would eventually make Sarah the esteemed Mrs. Bradford. Seeing Dylan would be a breeze then.

Sarah, smiling, moved closer to help Ryan up. "Clara's been super busy, didn't you know? Your situation's been all over the news, tanking the Bradford family stock. Clara's been overhauling the whole company and is drowning in work. She sent me to check on you. I'll be bringing your meals from now on."

Clara still cared.

Ryan's eyes filled with tears. Each day there, he was filled with regret. Regretting how he'd softened and rented an apartment for Quinn, regretting letting Greysen escape safely. Every mess he made, Clara was the one cleaning it up.

He never blamed Clara; he only blamed himself for screwing everything up. Watching Clara work so hard for him filled him with guilt. He hung his head as tears began to fall again.

Sarah quickly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his tears. "Ryan, you need to pull yourself together. Clara didn't lock you in here to abandon you; she's trying to teach you a lesson. She has big hopes for you. Don't get lost in your emotions. I brought you some finance books. Take your time with them."