Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 233

As June left the morgue, Clara found herself at a loss for words. She wanted to help sort out things for South Ashford, but June just shook her head and insisted on taking the bus. Clara didn't push further and simply stood there offering, "If you need anything, just give me a call." June nodded from the bus window, leaned back in her seat, and drifted off to sleep.

Clara lingered a bit, then turned to Simon, who looked worse for wear. His forehead glistened with sweat, and his lips were a ghostly white. Just as Clara was about to ask what was wrong, Simon collapsed. Panicked, she rushed him to the hospital, and when the doctor lifted his shirt, her heart sank at the sight of the brutal whip marks crisscrossing his back. Some were so deep they reached the bone. How could anyone be so cruel to someone from the Ferguson family?

Still in shock, Clara covered her mouth. The Ferguson family wasted no time, and Ada was the first to arrive. Seeing Clara, Ada lunged to slap her but Clara caught her wrist. Ada trembled with anger, "You jinx! If it weren't for you, Simon wouldn't be in this mess!"

Clara almost laughed at the absurdity. She didn't even know what had happened to Simon, let alone how it was her fault. Before she could respond, Lincoln, whom she had seen earlier, walked in. His gaze made her uneasy, like a predator eyeing its prey, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Clara, maybe you don't know, but Simon burst into the family estate tonight, begging his grandfather to call off his engagement to Quinn. He confessed he had regrets and claimed to love you instead. His grandfather had set the wedding date, invitations were sent. Canceling now would be a slap in his face, and the Ferguson family would be humiliated. So, his grandfather invoked the family law. Not many can endure it."

Clara's expression darkened. Simon was out of his mind! He'd been secretly involved with Quinn for ages, and now, on the brink of marrying her, he says he's changed his mind? All because of some recent video of Quinn, and now he claims to like Clara—a complete joke.