Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

The bodyguard had no clue the car was Clara's, and the security footage showed it was another woman who did the damage, not Eden. Eden's face lit up with satisfaction. She shouted towards the next room, clearly enjoying the moment. "Clara, how dare you accuse me like that!"

The police station walls were thick, so Clara could only see Dylan talking to Eden, not hear their words. But when Eden started yelling, Clara stepped out, ready to confront.

Eden stood tall, her voice dripping with false innocence. "So, you tried to pin the car scratch on me? Really, Clara? That's low. And Dylan, how could you take her side? I didn't touch her car!"

Clara turned her attention to Dylan, who was just now realizing the whole mess involved Clara and Eden. Clara stayed calm, but there was a sharp edge to her words. "Eden, you argued with me, and suddenly my car gets scratched? You were right there. Who else could it be?"

Tears began to form in Eden's eyes. She turned to Dylan, kneeling and pulling on his sleeve. "Dylan, she's being so unfair!"

Dylan's hand clenched slightly, his gaze lowered. "It really wasn't her."

Clara knew Dylan had a soft spot for Eden, but this was too much. She opened her mouth to speak, but words failed her.

Eden's smug expression was infuriating. Clara swallowed her anger, knowing that as long as Dylan backed Eden, there was no way to fix this.

Then the police chimed in. "Ms. Clara, after reviewing the footage, it's clear Ms. Eden wasn't involved."

Clara hadn't seen the footage herself. She let out a bitter laugh, "Fine, I'll just take Mr. Dylan's twenty grand and move on. Goodbye."

She grabbed her bag to leave, but Eden wasn't done. "Wait, you owe me an apology for accusing me."

Clara paused, acted like she didn't hear, and walked out.

"You!!" Eden fumed, stomping her foot. She rolled her eyes, muttering, "Typical, no manners at all."

Outside, Clara was still fuming. Simon followed her out, letting out a sigh. "Let me drive you home. I told you, Dylan really spoils Eden."

Clara didn't realize it wasn't Eden this time. To her, it felt like Dylan was blindly siding with Eden, even convincing the police to alter their statements. They were from different worlds, she and Dylan.

She got into Simon's car, glancing back as Dylan exited the station with Aiden and Eden, who was chattering away like a sparrow. Clara looked away, leaning back with a newfound clarity. Twenty thousand dollars wasn't something to stress over. She and Dylan weren't even friends, so his siding with Eden made sense.noveldrama

Besides, Dylan always treated her like someone to be pitied, like a nobleman looking down on a commoner. He didn't hold grudges, which was generous enough.

As they waited at a red light, Simon spoke up. "Clara, Dylan doesn't have feelings for you. He's careful not to show anything that might mislead you. You should keep your distance. I used to think he was interested, tried to see signs, but I overheard him telling Richard he still can't forget someone."

Clara knew who Simon meant-the one Dylan lost. She had only used Sarah to stir Dylan's emotions briefly. She smiled, feeling a bit lighter. "I thought we could be friends, but that was a mistake. Dylan has plenty of friends."

Simon's expression was calm as he gripped the wheel. "I was an idiot before, embarrassing you. You had every right to be mad. Dylan clearly doesn't like you, and I just made things awkward. I'm sorry."

Clara was surprised by Simon's maturity. He used to imply there was something between her and Dylan, which was embarrassing.

"Clara, can we still be friends? I'm over hoping for us to get back together. I see you've moved on. I'm a fool sometimes, but I haven't done anything horrible. Being friends wouldn't be so bad, right? Ryan still calls me Simon."