Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Going up with Eden knowing she had something up her sleeve was like walking straight into a trap.

Eden just shrugged, "Whatever, do what you want. I'm going to change."

And with that, she turned and walked away.

This wasn't like Eden at all. She usually couldn't stand Clara and would never let things slide so easily. Clara felt a bit uneasy, especially when she heard Jeffree's mocking voice.

"I don't know what makes you think you belong at an event like this."

Eden might have let it go, but Jeffree wasn't about to. She stormed over, hand raised, ready to slap Clara.

But Clara caught her wrist mid-air, stopping the slap cold.

Jeffree was furious, and only now did she realize how strong Clara really was. She couldn't even pull free.

"Clara, let go! Or I'll get my brother!"

Clara let her go, but Jeffree's own force sent her stumbling back until she landed on the floor with a thud. Her dress, with its large skirt, made the fall even more dramatic.

Embarrassment stained Jeffree's cheeks as she bit her lip and awkwardly got to her feet, glaring daggers at Clara. The whispers around them grew louder, making Jeffree feel even more humiliated.

Her eyes searched the crowd, tears threatening to spill. "Brother, why aren't you helping me?"

Clara looked over to see Jackson.

Jackson, in his light lavender suit, stood out like a peacock, with Richard beside him. Jackson was ready to scold Clara, but Richard stopped him with a tug on his sleeve.

Richard chuckled, "Why meddle in women's squabbles?"

Jackson sensed there was more to Richard's words. This guy always knew how to avoid drama. Taking the hint, he frowned and told Jeffree, "Deal with it yourself."

Jeffree wasn't Jackson's real sister, just a distant relative of the Dawson family. Calling him "brother" was just a way to get closer. She usually sucked up to Eden to keep her status in the social circle.

But tonight, even Jackson wouldn't lend a hand.

Upstairs, Eden watched the scene unfold with a satisfied smirk. She hadn't even gone to change her dress yet, but seeing Jeffree's frustration was enough for now. She whispered something to a waiter nearby.

Clara decided to ignore Jeffree and moved on, searching for her target. But the delay meant they'd vanished.

After forty minutes of searching, she still couldn't find them. She paused when a waiter passed by, grabbed a glass of fruit wine, took a few sips, and scanned the room again.

Suddenly, she felt eyes on her from the second floor.

Looking up, she met Dylan's gaze.

Everyone said Dylan rarely showed up at these events, but here he was. Too far away for a chat, Clara simply lifted her glass to him and finished her wine. She was here for a negotiation and needed to find her contact.noveldrama

But just ten minutes later, an intense heat washed over her, so strong she felt like tearing her clothes off.