Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 425

Under Dylan's watchful eyes, a slender figure approached from the distance. In a world blanketed with white, the red in her hand stood out vividly.

Clara climbed into the car, brushing the snowflakes from her hair. She closed the door and casually handed him the sprig of holly she had broken off.

Dylan didn't immediately accept it. Instead, he examined the lingering snowflakes on its leaves.

Clara, thinking he might be bothered by the cold, started to shake off the snow when he asked, "What if this tree belongs to someone?"

Without a second thought, she replied, "Well, if I picked it for you, then you're its owner now."

Dylan was about to reach for it, but as her words sank in, his hand clenched involuntarily, the veins on his hand becoming prominent.

Noticing his sudden change in demeanor, Clara quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

He nodded slightly, took the holly, and with a soft "Thank you," his mood seemed to lighten visibly.

Relieved, Clara moved to the front seat and started the engine, fearing that this unpredictable man might next ask for a snowman. As the car purred to life, she caught a whiff of holly from the back seat.

"Mr. Dylan, do you like holly? It's quite unique. Most people only notice the white in winter, but who would expect such vivid red underneath, like..." She trailed off, sensing that she was verging on saying something inappropriate. Dylan himself was a bit like winter-aloof on the surface, yet surprisingly soft beneath it all.

"I do like it. No one's ever given me any before," he said, his tone mellow, yet he seemed a bit more alive.

she hadn't brushed him off. He seemed

we should call the New York office to send a helicopter. The roads are blocked, and we can't stay here. You're still running a

he asked, his voice carrying

Wasn't it natural to worry about him? They were in this together, after all—she couldn't let anything happen to

you were kind enough to bring me here. I

been for nothing. Hands tightening on the steering wheel, she said, "That place was just a ruin. If you'd told us earlier, we

brought the holly to his nose, smiling

Clara was momentarily speechless.

Perhaps Dylan had stumbled upon it once and

gaze. He looked down at the holly, swaying it lightly, seemingly content. "Is there something

there as kids, and some things happened. I think I mentioned giving him holly?" The thought had come too quickly. She wasn't even sure it was real. She'd have to check with Z when they got

eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing gently. "Not many people like

"Mr. Dylan,

holly tightened briefly, almost

quickly added, "Because you like this

his head, his fingers gently touching the petals. "Then you

silent, focusing on driving. After several miles, they finally got a phone signal. She had Dylan

continued to fall. If they weren't stuck, it