Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Richard was just about to open the door when a voice called out behind him.

"Hey, what are you doing?"noveldrama

Ever since the fire a few days ago, Tara had been keeping a low profile at home. Richard's brows furrowed as he turned to face her.

She was clearly dressed up today-way prettier than usual.

His expression stayed cool. "Why are you here?"

Tara pressed her lips together. "I came to check on Dylan. I'm worried about him. I overheard some of the elders saying Walter's really angry today, so..."

She kept talking as she stepped closer. Then, out of nowhere, she whipped out a gun and pressed it to Richard's forehead.

Richard just raised an eyebrow, a slow smile tugging at his lips. "What are you doing?"

Tara started backing toward the door, talking fast. "I didn't want to do this, but I didn't have a choice. I was hoping to sneak up here, but I didn't expect you to have already taken care of the guards. They say Dylan's passed out-Walter gave him poison or something. I thought this might be my chance to... you know, sleep with him. With all those people downstairs, if word gets out that I was with him, everyone will think we're together. Richard, you'll help me, right? Don't you want Dylan as your brother-in-law? He's always been important to you."

Richard's lips curled up, his eyes scanning the hallway, checking if anyone was nearby.

Tara was about to open the door when he suddenly closed the distance, snatched the gun from her hand, and said quietly, "Go downstairs. Don't push me."

“Richard!” Tara's face turned red with anger, her eyes filling with tears. "I know you're here to help Clara! Why do you always want Dylan with that bad luck charm? I'm your sister! Maybe not by blood, but we've known each other forever. I get it now! You like Clara, don't you? You think loving her means just wanting her happy!"

She looked like she'd just uncovered the biggest secret in the world. Her eyes narrowed, and she suddenly screamed, "Someone's trying to take Dylan away!"

Richard knocked her out before she could say another word. He didn't bother catching her as she fell, just stepped inside.

But the bedroom was empty.

He let out a long sigh.

On his way out, he ran right into Walter and his grandfather.

He managed a smile. "Grandpa, Walter. What brings you here?"

His grandfather's face was dark as he glanced at the people lying on the That's going on? Explai yourself."

"I'm just worried about Dylan. You know he's my best friend."

Someone came to take the unconscious people away, leaving just the three of them in the hallway.

Walter didn't seem angry. He looked

of elders here today. Maybe

is stairs and said, "Colin, theybe

you should at least go say hello."

"Walter, I just want to know if Dylan's okay. We grew up together. I don't want anything bad to happen to him."

Walter's voice was calm. "He's my son. What could I do to him?"

Richard gave a faint smile. "That's good. But if I can't see him, I can't help but worry."

His grandfather took a deep breath and apologized to Walter first. "Sorry—I haven't kept things under control."

Then he turned to Richard. "Enough. Stop making trouble. Dylan's outstanding. Do you really think Walter would ever hurt him? We were just talking about it-Dylan's going to be engaged to Ms. Louella. The arrangements overseas are already set. Once he's better, he'll be going abroad. Don't make things harder than they need to be."

As soon as Richard heard Dylan was leaving the country, his smile faded.