Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 69

Clara didn't break her stride as she headed straight home. Naomi watched her go with a smug grin, convinced Clara would eventually find her way back to the Bradford family. It was just a question of how long she could keep up the pretense this time around.

The next morning, Clara was back at the Ferguson Corporation, reporting for duty. After a week on a business trip, she'd shed a few pounds. As she stepped out of the elevator, she crossed paths with Simon.

Simon gave her a look of disdain, pretended she wasn't there, and sped up his pace, thinking it might rattle her. But Clara didn't bat an eyelid, diving straight into a conversation with a colleague about the success of her latest assignment. An email had already confirmed her raise.

Jade couldn't help but roll her eyes upon hearing that Clara had secured a raise just for completing a community project. During the lunchtime meeting, she took a shot at Clara. "I hope everyone here knows they need to work harder. Unlike some folks with connections, we work ourselves to the bone and never see a raise."

Clara, seated at her desk, listened in. She threw a glance at Simon, who was at the table's head. Simon was the department head, while Jade was just a manager.

Clara smirked, her tone light. "Mr. Simon, sounds like Jade's talking about you. Is it really true our team works overtime without seeing a raise? If so, you're not doing a great job as director. I thought the company was fair about overtime pay. Or is someone pocketing the extras?"

back towards

"Mr. Simon, that's not what

complaints had left him with little

speak so carelessly." Jade's face fell further, and she

always been wary of Clara, seeing her as someone who had used connections to get ahead. This incident

work, she got word of a compulsory department dinner. She wasn't keen but saw

dig. "Some people think they're more important than the boss and show up later than the management. You'd think she was the one running the

brushed off the comment and planned to make her leave after a short while. She felt no need to fit in.

and even a karaoke setup. Simon