Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Mrs. Ferguson noticed Dylan's mood had softened and waved her hand dismissively. "We've talked enough about the party. At this point, everyone here has their own role, and what happened last night isn't going to happen again. Dylan, try to show some mercy, alright?"

Dylan's fingers laced with Clara's as she kept twisting her wrist, unable to take her eyes off the jade bracelet. Clearly, she was over the moon about it.

Mrs. Ferguson caught the look on Clara's face and felt another pang in her chest. All that rare jade, and it ended up on someone like her. What a waste...

The butler, sensing the tension had finally let up, hurried to invite everyone to the table.

But ever since Clara slipped on that bracelet, the rest of the family just couldn't get comfortable. Who wouldn't envy Mrs. Ferguson's prized possession? The price was one thing-nowadays, even if you had the money, you couldn't buy something like this. The million-dollar jade pieces on the market now didn't even compare to what this one was worth back then.

And after all these years living under the Ferguson roof, none of them had ever gotten a single thing from Mrs. Ferguson. So why Clara?

Lucius's wife, Kayla, yanked a chair out with a bang. Her oldest son, Lincoln, was gone. Her younger son, Aaron, hadn't even made it to the party. Her husband was as useless as ever. No wonder she hated Dylan to the core.

She knew in her gut that Dylan was the reason Lincoln was dead. And the way things were going, she'd probably lose Aaron soon, too.

Now, with Mrs. Ferguson giving Clara that bracelet, it was basically a public announcement. Clara was officially recognized. From now on, everyone would have to treat her as the lady of the house.

Kayla couldn't figure out what Mrs. Ferguson was thinking. Maybe she'd just spoiled Dylan for so long, she'd finally given in to him.

thanks to Dylan. He marries some woman like her and Grandma doesn't even say a word. Looks like the Ferguson family really is his kingdom now. If he wants someone gone, it's just a matter of time. Didn't our cousin

came back, he was pushed further and further out. How could Kayla not be

wrist, remembering how devoted she'd been to Mrs. Ferguson back in the city. Now, she wasn't even as good as a random

her family's troubles, but this wild little girl got to step all

silent laugh. If they were going to freeze her out anyway, why not go out with a bang?

the pot enough, caught Tara's eye from across

because Mrs. Ferguson had personally said she'd treat her like her own granddaughter. No way she

she'd forgotten all the bad blood with Dylan.

Clara's wrist.

sŵnovel

for Mrs. Ferguson—thinking she was just scared of Dylan-now she just thought the old woman was blind. Giving something so valuable to

she kept her envy hidden, even leaning in to

the girl's composure: She reached out and patted the back

you too-one

just laughed to herself. She knew Mrs. Ferguson was

she'd mess up Dylan's so-called

Happiness? This was happiness?