Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

The group was still talking when footsteps echoed on the stairs-Dylan was coming down.

Richard's hand froze on his glass, then he set it down quietly, saying nothing.

Dylan walked straight to Walter's side and greeted him, his voice flat. "Father."

Walter looked pleased. "Just one more month before you leave for overseas. Make sure you get all your work at Ferguson Corporation sorted out. Once you're in North America, it'll be hard to come back."

Dylan nodded. "I'm heading to Ferguson Corporation now."

He turned to go. Richard quickly followed, glancing back at Walter and Rai. "I'll head out too."

He caught up to Dylan at the door, lighting a cigarette as Dylan was about to get in his car.

"Dylan, are you feeling alright?"

Aiden was nowhere in sight. Instead, there was a new assistant by Dylan's side- someone Walter had clearly arranged.

"I'm fine," Dylan replied, barely glancing at him before getting in the car.

Richard took a long drag of his cigarette. "Are you coming back to Palm Bay tonight? There's someone waiting for you."

But Dylan's face stayed unreadable. Who would be waiting for him in Palm Bay? There wasn't even a flicker of emotion in his eyes. "I'll be at Ferguson Corporation for the next few months, handling business."

Richard didn't push. He just nodded, flicking his ash away. "Alright. Take care."

Dylan's car rolled away.

Richard stood there for a moment, thinking, then finally pulled out his phone and called Clara.

Clara was out walking at Palm Bay, Milo and Buddy pacing quietly at her side. Charles had already left-now it was just her and the two dogs.

She answered, "Richard?"

"Walter doesn't care if Dylan lives or dies. I'm guessing they changed the dosage again. You'd better stay put in Palm Bay. Aiden's been replaced, and if you show up anywhere, you'll have a target on your back. There'll be people after you."

Dylan hadn't forgotten last time, so Walter just upped the dosage. Now, Dylan really remembered nothing. There was nothing left in his eyes he was like a machine Or

maybe just a pawn.

Clara lowered her lashes, gripping her phone tightly. "I know."

Palm Bay was the only safe place left for her.

She hung up, borrowed a phone from a housekeeper, and tried calling Dylan herself. But someone else picked up.

"Hello?"

It had to be the new assistant Walter put in place. Now, every call to Dylan was being screened. That was the whole point-keep Clara away.

Richard was right. The trap was already closing in. She could only wait in Palm Bay, hoping Dylan would come back.

But would he?

She waited three days, and he never showed. Every time she called, it was that same new assistant who answered.

Clara grew more anxious by the day. She couldn't help worrying about Aiden, too. She knew Walter wouldn't go easy on him-after aff Aiden was only loyal to Dylan, and Walter never kept people like that around.

Taking a deep breath, Clara decided she'd go out that night and look for answers herself.

When night fell, she looked at her two dogs and turned to Kay. "Come with me. If we find Aiden, you're the one who'll get him home."

Kay had been sticking close to Palm Bay these days. He nodded without a word.

Clara started down a narrow path, letting Milo and Buddy check ahead for any sign of danger.

Her brother had always said Milo and Buddy would find the safest way for her.

She paused, glancing at the man walking in the shadows beside her. "Kay, if things go south, you save yourself. Do you hear me?"

Kay, usually all business, stiffened and looked up at her.

Clara's face was as calm as ever.noveldrama

"Walter's after me. If you can't save me, just run. Dylan spent years training you. Don't waste that by getting yourself killed."

Kay didn't reply, just tugged his mask a little higher over his face.