Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 505

Cole adjusted his glasses, tapping the stack of documents in his hand.

"There's something about these papers that just doesn't sit right with me. This overseas company-they're huge, super well-known, and they suddenly want to partner with the Bradfords? I looked into their reputation, and they've always worked with the top families here. Why us, and why now? It feels suspicious. I wanted to talk to Ms. Bradford about it, but I can't find her anywhere."

Ryan slumped into a chair, his mind spinning. He stared at the paperwork, but none of the words made sense.

After a long silence, he finally asked, "Cole, do you think Clara even cares about me?"

If she did, why couldn't she trust him?

If she hadn't doubted him first, he wouldn't have pushed things this far out of pure frustration.

"Honestly, Ryan, before or after the accident, Ms. Bradford has always treated you really well. I couldn't find a single fault."

Ryan let out a hollow laugh. "Or maybe she feels guilty about something-like she owes me."

something. Like pretending to be the

to that snowy night, remembering the small gravestone, his father's handwriting carved into

the city, not in the fancy hospitals—he started chasing after every weird alternative medicine tip he could find.

Cole had been

do you remember what Clara was like when she

She was so weak that even the air outside was supposed to be bad for her. I never really saw

ready to sign, but paused-Clara's words

but just like Cole said, why would such a perfect opportunity land in their laps

the pen down and handed the papers

Clara's say-so. I'm heading back out to the

his eyes. "Ryan,

was just twenty. The old him would've

head and stood up, moving slowly. "Clara did everything she could to save the company. We can