Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara took a deep breath. "So, Jackson wants to get to know Kaitlyn? I can just give you her number."

Jackson glanced down, clearly fed up. "I'm not as patient as Dylan. If you keep babbling, you can just leave."

Clara felt a wave of anger but knew she couldn't really stand up to Jackson.

Even as she reached the company lobby, she was still a bit rattled. She bumped into someone and staggered back a few steps.

It was Eden, and her voice turned sharp immediately. "Clara!"

Ever since that incident with the belt, Clara had been doing her best to avoid Eden, but luck wasn't on her side today.

She tried to walk past with her head down, but Eden blocked her way. "Clara, looks like you're feeling better, huh? Back to your old tricks? What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're trailing my brother again. Since Dylan's not interested, you're after my brother now, right?"

Eden's expression was full of spite, like she might start a fight on the spot.

Clara was taken aback-what was Simon doing at Dawson Corporation?

She didn't want to get into it with Eden and moved to leave, but Eden wasn't one to play fair. She swung her bag at Clara.

Clara dodged, but a slap came out of nowhere, landing hard on her cheek.

Eden had put all her strength into it and looked smug. "Didn't I tell you to stay out of my way? I'll hit you every time I see you!"

Clara's cheek stung with pain.

She lifted her head and hurled the contract she was holding at Eden's face.

Eden stumbled back, nearly in tears from the hit.

Just then, Simon showed up, and Eden ran to him immediately. "Brother! Look at what she did!"

Papers were scattered everywhere, and Clara was kneeling to pick them up.

Simon pushed Eden aside, his voice stern. "How many times have I told you not to use Dylan's favoritism to bully others?"

Eden pouted. "What does it matter? Dylan won't say anything. It's Clara's own fault for being pathetic."

"That's enough, Eden! Stop it. Dylan wouldn't like this."

Eden stuck out her tongue and stomped on the papers Clara was reaching for, leaving a dirty footprint.

Simon called her name sharply, "Eden!"

Eden ran off with a huff, acting every bit the spoiled brat.

Simon picked up one of the papers, brushing off the dust, but the footprint was still there. He turned to Clara.

"Clara, don't let it get to you. Dylan spoils her too much, but I'll talk to him."

Clara stayed calm, knowing full well how much Dylan indulged Eden.

Once she'd gathered all the papers, she stood up. Simon stood up too. "Clara, let's head out together."

Still fuming, Clara walked outside to find her car scratched up and one of the front tires flat. Eden was the obvious culprit.

Simon immediately called Dylan. "Dylan, Eden vandalized the car and slashed a tire."

Dylan, about to head into a meeting, was unfazed. "How much to fix it?"

Simon sighed. "Around twenty thousand."

The call cut off abruptly, and seconds later, Simon's phone buzzed with a bank notification—exactly twenty thousand.

Simon quickly transferred the money to Clara, apologizing. "Clara, let me drive you home."

Clara, feeling beyond frustrated, didn't respond. She called the police instead. If Eden did it, she'd have to pay for it.noveldrama