Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 498

As Ryan stepped into the room, he was hit with the stark reality: Sarah had been living in what was essentially a bathroom. It was so cramped there was barely enough room to move. Her parents had already tossed out most of her belongings, leaving just a small bed frame behind. A few of her things teetered on the highest windowsill, the only place they hadn’t managed to reach.

If they had been any taller, those items would’ve been out too.

The moment the couple noticed Ryan’s intrusion, they freaked out. Grabbing a broom, they charged at him, shouting.

“Who the hell are you? Get out of here! Did that tramp Sarah send you to mess with us? Get out!”

“That little brat’s probably too scared to come back after we dealt with her. Ha! You think you scare us? We’ll deal with you too!”

Ryan wasn’t in the mood for their drama. He shoved aside anything in his way, stretching on his tiptoes to reach Sarah's stuff on the window ledge.

Just then, the man swung the broom at his head, but Ryan was too focused on grabbing a small vial to dodge. Fortunately, Clara intercepted the broom just in time.

The guy was all talk and no action, a typical bully with no real strength. He spent his days drinking and terrorizing his wife and daughter.

Clara gave the broom a solid shove, sending the man sprawling backward, landing hard and grimacing in pain.

It was only then he noticed Clara's presence. His eyes lit up at the sight of her.

She was stunning.

The man had a weakness for women, often visiting the red-light district in the slums where he could find women who charged next to nothing, not caring about diseases, just the money.

Seeing Clara, his sleazy instincts kicked in.

He got up and lunged at her. “Hey, gorgeous, how much for a night?”

Clara kicked him in the gut, her voice icy. “Five thousand for a night of mourning. Interested?”

Her fierce gaze and tone must have been terrifying because he curled up on the floor, too afraid to say another word.

His wife, trying to muster some courage, was about to curse them out, but one glare from Clara and she shrank back, silent.

These parents were your run-of-the-mill bullies, finding a twisted sense of power in oppressing their daughter. It made them feel like royalty. Naturally, they took it too far.

Growing up in an environment like that, it was no wonder Sarah had her issues.

But Clara couldn’t find it in her to sympathize, especially since she still had no idea Sarah was gone.

Once Ryan had finally snagged the small vial with the dog tooth, Clara asked, “Done here? Let’s get out.”

It was already past midnight, and his twentieth birthday had slipped by.