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.

Her face was sour. Simon, sitting next to her, leaned in and whispered, "My injuries this time? All 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 still have some shares in the overseas branch, by the way?"

Aaron had spent years working overseas, always careful, always loyal. And when he finally came back, he was pushed further and further out. How could Kayla not be bitter?

She stared at the bracelet on Clara's wrist, remembering how devoted she'd been to Mrs. Ferguson back in the city. Now, she wasn't even as good as a random outsider.

No one cared about her family's troubles, but this wild little girl got to step all over them?

Kayla dropped her gaze and let out a cold, silent laugh. If they were going to freeze her out anyway, why not go out with a bang? She'd make sure the whole Ferguson family lost face along with her.

Simon, seeing he'd stirred the pot enough, caught Tara's eye from across the table. They exchanged a knowing look.

Tara was only here because Mrs. Ferguson had personally said she'd treat her like her own granddaughter. No way she was refusing that-plus, it gave her an excuse to keep coming back to the house.

She poured even more effort into taking care of Mrs. Ferguson, acting like she'd forgotten all the bad blood with Dylan. But just like Kayla, she couldnt help feeling a stab of jealousy seeing that bracelet on

Clara's wrist.

sŵnovelnoveldrama

If Tara had once felt a little sympathy for Mrs. Ferguson—thinking she was just scared of Dylan-now she just thought the old woman was blind. Giving something so valuable to Clara? What a joke.

Still, she kept her envy hidden, even leaning in to quietly ask Mrs. Ferguson what she liked to eat.

Mrs. Ferguson, already feeling guilty about Tara, was touched by the girl's composure: She reached out and patted the back of Tara's hand.. "Tara, when you get married, l'have

a gift ready for you too-one just as nice."

Tara just laughed to herself. She knew Mrs. Ferguson was just trying to keep her

in check, worried she'd mess up Dylan's so-called happiness.

Happiness? This was happiness?

Dylan was only acting this way because he'd been bewitched. Sooner or later, he'd snap out of it.

"Thank you, Mrs. Ferguson," Tara said sweetly, "but you really don't have to. I'm just happy I get to come see you."

Mrs. Ferguson looked at her with a relieved smile and sighed. If only Clara was even half as thoughtful as Tara, she'd have nothing to complain about.

Meanwhile, Clara was oblivious to everyone else's mood. Every time she took a bite, she'd look at her wrist and admire the bracelet, then turn to Dylan and give him a big, happy grin.

The kitchen had outdone itself that morning, with over thirty kinds of breakfast foods on the table. Dylan picked up a little steamed bun and set it in her bowl.

"Why are you so happy?"

"Mm-hmm," she hummed, scooting closer to give him a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth. She whispered, "I saw the old lady didn't look too pleased. That just makes me happier. I bet this thing costs a fortune."

Dylan almost lost it trying not to laugh, reaching over to pinch her cheek.

This woman...

So she'd noticed everything. He'd thought she just liked the bracelet.

Well, maybe she did. But more than anything, she just liked making other people squirm.