Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 360

Clara felt like she had just lived through six centuries, even though it had only been six hours. Her unwavering determination and a hefty five million dollar donation turned the public spotlight away from the company and onto her brother Ryan, who was suddenly seen as lucky to have such a supportive sister.

"I was ready to criticize her, but honestly, I can't find a single misstep. She's handled everything perfectly."

"Her attitude has been top-notch, and even the official statements were sincere. Word is that the Bradford Group is strapped for cash, yet she still donated."

Seeing the shift in public opinion, Clara finally exhaled in relief. She and Cole had spent those intense six hours glued to their screens, keeping a close eye on the media buzz. Her open honesty left the online whistleblower with no ammunition, and some folks online even speculated that the whole drama might have been a setup by whoever was trying to lead Ryan astray. It was clear that the internet crowd wasn't easily duped these days.

With this win under her belt, Clara wasted no time calling a high-level meeting. All of Greysen's old crew had cleared out, leaving only a handful of seasoned executives she herself had chosen to promote.

From there, the meeting flowed smoothly, with no objections to any of Clara's decisions. The younger execs she had promoted looked up to her like she was the North Star. Unlike Johnny, the previous leader who had a soft spot for those who helped build the company from the ground up, the old guard was stuck in their ways. People like Greysen were especially worried about losing their spots to more capable colleagues, which had cost the Bradford Group a lot of talent.

Clara had kicked those roadblocks to the curb and elevated the skilled team members. No matter where she led the company next, this move alone had already outshone Johnny's legacy. Johnny was talented in many ways, but as Greysen often pointed out, his sentimentality was his Achilles' heel in the business world.