Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 550

Simon was still miles from Palm Bay when his phone buzzed. Michael's name flashed on the screen.

"Simon, I talked to your grandfather already. There's a position for you in the next city over-a Vice President spot. They need someone, and you're the perfect fit. Do well, and you can come back early next year."

"Are you kidding me?" Simon slammed on the brakes, heart pounding, face set hard. "Who said I wanted to be banished to another branch?"

"Grandpa already agreed. He'll probably call you himself soon."

"I said I'm not going!" Simon's voice was sharp.

Michael's tone turned icy. He knew exactly what Simon was thinking. "This is about Clara, isn't it? I've heard the rumors. You're making a fool of yourself for a woman you used to look down on-letting everyone laugh at you. Didn't she already shack up with some male model? Who knows what she's up to these days? Doesn't it disgust you?"

That last jab sent Simon over the edge. He flung his phone at the windshield, hands shaking so hard he could barely hold the wheel. His vision blurred red, jaw clenched so tight he could taste blood.

When the light turned green, he floored it. But as he passed the old school he and Clara had gone to, he slammed on the brakes, unable to drive past. The frustration inside him was a storm, threatening to tear him apart.

He reached Palm Bay in a haze, barely remembering the drive. He'd been waiting outside for ages, ignored by everyone, but now, staring at the big iron gate, he lost it—slamming the gas, ready to smash through, anything to break the silence.

he sped up, the gates swung open. A

braked hard and rolled down his

window,

"Dylan! Did

the papers in his lap. Clara had been shadowing him for days, but she was finally asleep-he was only now able to head to

ignored Simon completely, which only made Simon's blood boil. Simon

pulled up

to follow, but a delivery truck roared toward him, screeching to a stop just inches from his

a second, he

his wheelchair. He hadn't said a word, but Simon felt

He scoffed through gritted teeth. "Dylan, locking Clara up won't change anything. Grandpa's already picked out your

a glance, that cool indifference making

sat there for ten minutes, debating whether to chase after him, when a black sedan pulled up and stopped

window slid down, and Aaron's

"Simon. Get in."

him, but after what happened at the old mansion, he knew Aaron's situation was worse than