Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

The guard didn't have any other options left, so he dialed Clara's number. Clara was right in the middle of sorting through some Dawson family project files when she noticed the notification on her screen. After pondering for a moment, she decided to pick up.noveldrama

"What's up?" she asked.

"Ms. Clara, it seems like Mr. Lee's not doing so well mentally."

Clara frowned, shoving the papers aside. "What's going on with him?"

The guard, assuming Sarah was indeed sent by Clara, skipped mentioning her name.

"He just really wants to see you."

Clara took a deep breath. "Let him hang in there; he needs to learn from this." She figured he hadn't been involved for long, and with enough determination, he'd bounce back.

The guard glanced at the tightly shut door and sighed. "If you can, Ms. Clara, you should drop by. He is your brother, after all."

Clara rubbed her temples. "I'll come by later this afternoon."

She quickly wrapped up the files she was working on and was about to head out when her phone buzzed-it was Cole.

"Ms. Bradford, there's an issue with Justin. He hasn't been answering my calls since yesterday afternoon."

Clara swiftly changed course, deciding to check on Justin at Center College first. When she knocked on his dorm room, she found out he was running a fever.

Standing by his bed, Clara lightly touched his forehead and opened the door to the balcony to let in some air. "You're this sick and didn't let your roommates help out?"

Justin could be so stubborn. He brushed Clara's hand away, his voice raspy. "Don't worry about me, Ms. Bradford."

He coughed a few times after saying that. Clara suddenly realized he was like a hedgehog, never letting anyone see his softer side. He probably didn't want his roommates to catch on, likely because he didn't get along with them.

Remembering how Ryan had someone pick on him before, Clara felt a bit embarrassed. Could Ryan and the whole class be giving him the cold shoulder?

That kind of stuff usually happened in elementary or high school, not in college where people should know better.

She didn't push it and instead went to the campus clinic to grab some meds. On her way back, she bumped into a few of Justin's roommates. They seemed caught off guard seeing her.

"And you are?" one of them asked.

"I'm Justin's relative. He's got a fever, so I came to check on him."

The roommates clearly didn't buy it. One of them started sizing her up, noticing not just her looks but her stylish outfit too.

"What kind of relative? You look more like his sugar mama."

Clara had thought Justin was just unpopular, but she hadn't realized things were this bad. Her brows knitted together before she smirked. "You're so sure about that, huh? Maybe you're speaking from experience? A rich lady might like Justin, but she might not be into you, buddy."

The boy's face turned beet red, his lips quivering.

"What are you bragging about?! It's just a little money!"

Clara took a step closer, and the boy's face flushed even more under her gaze. She was too striking, and he couldn't bring himself to say anything nastier.

Clara patted his shoulder. "You guys are still young, no need to be so harsh with an older sister. I know you're jealous of Justin. Don't worry, once I sort things out for him, I'll introduce you to some wealthy ladies. But you might not be as lucky as he is; would you settle for someone in their sixties?"