Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 214

Clara listened to the accusations on the phone, apologizing over and over, and then she was shocked to hear that Johnny was bedridden. No wonder Quinn had shown up today instead.

Quinn held the partnership contract between their two companies in her hand. If she had it right, this was the project Johnny had poured two years of effort into. But now, Ferguson Corporation was reaping all the rewards, thanks to Quinn. This move could destroy the Bradford family's hard-earned chance to climb the corporate ladder, and she wondered if Johnny even knew.

Clara couldn't sit still any longer. She immediately asked Dylan for some time off and drove straight back to the Bradford family home. The atmosphere there was grim, and everyone looked at her as if they'd seen a ghost when she walked in.

Clara went straight to Johnny's room and headed upstairs. The room was filled with the smell of medicine. She gently pushed the door open and could hear Johnny coughing. In such a short time, his health had taken a turn for the worse.

When Johnny saw her, he was initially taken aback, then managed a weak, bitter smile. Was he also on the brink of leaving them?

Clara sat at the bedside and pulled out the contract. "Johnny, I remember the company had a big project in the works for two years. Is this it? Today Quinn went to Ferguson Corporation, and I found out she handed this project over to them yesterday. The contract is signed. Was this your decision?"

As she spoke, she realized Johnny was staring intently at her. "Johnny?"

It took him a moment to snap out of it, almost tumbling out of bed in the process. Clara rushed to steady him, not expecting the sudden slap that came next. Her head whipped to the side, caught off guard by the unexpected blow.

Johnny was shaking all over, looking as though he might collapse at any moment. "You used to fake death all the time. I never carde about it too much since you always showed up on your own. But this time, your brother's been in a coma for ages, and you've been pretending to be dead. Clara, do you have no feelings for this family at all? When your grandfather died, I promised him I'd guide you, but your actions have only become more defiant."

Johnny waved her off, his eyes lacking any spark. Clara silently set the glass down, hesitate to offer comforting words but finding none.

Johnny coughed for a full minute, his face turning red, before finally asking, "All the senior executives and I prepared that project for two years. Our family's situation has worsened year after year, and we were counting on it to turn things around. You're saying Quinn gave it to Ferguson Corporation?"

Clara laid the contract out before him. "It's clearly written in black and white."

As a businessman, Johnny understood the contract immediately. It was like handing over a golden opportunity on a silver platter.