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 real Bradford

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

the fancy hospitals—he started chasing after every weird alternative medicine tip he could find. That's how they ended up in the countryside, out of options and out of hope. Ryan had always wondered how Clara, who'd spent her whole life behind hospital doors, managed

Cole had been

what Clara was like when

then, Ms. Bradford was always kept in a special room. She was so weak that even the air outside was supposed to be bad for her.

but paused-Clara's words

on the surface, but just like Cole said, why would such a perfect opportunity land in

down and handed

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

spoke up, concern in his eyes. "Ryan, your eyes are really swollen.

him would've burst into tears by

up, moving slowly. "Clara did everything she could to save the company.