Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Mrs. Ferguson almost fainted on the spot, clutching at the nearest person and

desperately asking what had happened.

A maid passing by, seeing her panic, quickly tried to explain. "Ms. Clara liked that

tree before she left, so the young master had it dug up for her."

Unbelievable.

Mrs. Ferguson's face went chalk white, and she collapsed right then and there.

She was convinced now-Clara had come to curse the Ferguson family. Of all

things, she'd had to take the family's lucky tree. Maybe Clara really was their bad

luck charm, just like those ill-fated stars people whispered about, destined to bring

trouble wherever she went.

Meanwhile, Clara was totally oblivious to the chaos she'd caused. When she got

back to Palm Bay, she asked someone to plant the tree just outside her floor-to-

ceiling windows.

The roots had barely settled when the butler called Dylan, sounding frantic.

"Young Master, Mrs. Ferguson just fainted."

Dylan frowned. Wasn't she fine just a little while ago? How did things go south so

quickly?

"Did someone upset her?"

The butler wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Ms. Clara took the tree Mrs.

Ferguson brought back from the temple. It meant a lot to her. She got too worked

up and passed out."

Dylan paused, his gaze shifting to Clara.

She was standing under the newly planted tree, gently touching its leaves. The

bracelet on her wrist caught the light, perfectly matching

leaves.

She looked stunning.

butler was still talking on the

maybe we

one just like it and put it back for

That tree was one

to find another?

"But-"

out from under the tree, "Honey, is

keep it right here?"

didn't bother replying to the butler he just hung

"If you

a whirlwind. Dylan

preparations. Clara only caught glimpses of

asleep at night.

party, a heavy rainstorm hit

unsettled. The main hall at Palm

strangers-finalizing every last detail for

crowd. She didn't know any

like going down

it was finally time for bed, she took a long soak in

under the covers.

middle of the

of thunder woke

for the other side

Dylan still

tighter and stepped quietly

house was silent except for a faint glow coming from the

was about to call

coming to

his voice

wasn't the

she was used

was cold, detached.

him gone. The more thoroughly he

with him, sounding

pushing a file aside. "A person like that, with a

his, doesn't deserve Clara."