Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 667

Charles pulled Clara through the night market, the place buzzing with laughter,

bright lights, and the mouthwatering smell of street food. It was the kind of chaos

that felt alive, like the city itself was throwing a party.

Clara drifted toward a stall selling candied hawthorns, her eyes glazed with

curiosity. She trailed behind the old man running the stand, grabbed a stick, and

strolled off without a word about paying.

The old vendor spun around, ready to scold her-until a crisp hundred-yuan note

appeared under his nose. He glanced up, startled, and found himself staring into

the sharp, intimidating face of a guy who looked like he'd walked out of a movie.

Charles's voice was low and flat. "Keep the change."

The vendor snatched the bill and hurried away, half-shivering, eager to put

distance between himself and Charles.

As soon as he was gone, Charles's tough-guy vibe disappeared. He turned to

Clara, suddenly looking more like a scolded dog than a bodyguard. "Clara, you

know you're supposed to pay for stuff, right? Don't just grab things."

But before he could keep scolding, Clara handed the stick of candied hawthorns

to him. "This is for you, bro."

Charles blinked, caught off guard. "For... me?"

She nodded. "You were staring at them."

He took it carefully, like it might break, and bit into the glossy red candy. It was

ridiculously sweet, but for some reason, his chest felt even warmer.

older brother, Mitch. It was weird, but in a

way.

bites, he handed it back. "Alright, you should eat some

pointed into

small amusement park beckoned, its lights

pointed at the

whole life had been training and

game like this

what she was doing. She showed him where

on as he started

it fast-make that really fast. Ball after

crowd circled

Clara was

stall.

a little embarrassed by all

out

giant bear to her chest. "What should we do next,

brought

honestly, he was having

life. Clara,

to tag along,

wait, like

was enough.

only candied hawthorn she'd "bought" had

stretched on and on, packed

booth,

really big, fierce dogs?

skeptical. "You're joking, right? No dog is

unfazed. "Just do it.

artist grumbled,

to argue, "Hey, old man-" but then he caught Clara's

mind. "Okay, then make my little

artist glanced at Clara, eyebrow raised, but shrugged and got

figure took shape-a girl

figure to Clara, grinning.

brother."

lit up her whole face. "Thanks,

in his chest as they wandered on. "Is