Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Aaron thought his day was done, but Dylan had other plans. He whipped out his phone and called Walter.

"Hey, Dad," he said casually.

Walter, who had just started entertaining guests again, was in the middle of a

chess game with the elder from the Dawson family.

"What's going on?" Walter asked, not looking up from the board.

"I ran into Aaron. He got a bit roughed up, so I took him to the hospital."

Walter paused, holding a chess piece mid-air, his voice steady. "Is it bad?" "Not really, but he won't be making it to tomorrow night's dinner."

Aaron sat right there, listening as Dylan spun his story without a hitch. In the Ferguson family, Walter was the top dog, and nobody dared to lie in front of him. Yet Dylan didn't even flinch.

"As long as it's nothing serious. Health comes first."

After hanging up, Dylan turned to Aaron. "Take a couple of months off. Don't show your face at Ferguson Corporation for a while."

Aaron tried to get up, his face red with frustration. "Why should I?"

The Ferguson family's annual gathering was more than just a dinner. It was a time

to showcase achievements. If Walter was impressed, he could fund a new business venture. Successful ones could mean more shares in the family.

Aaron had just come back from abroad, where his branch had major breakthroughs. Walter had already told him he was eager to hear his report. Missing the event meant missing his chance to shine in front of his grandfather. Dylan chuckled, adjusting his cufflinks with ease. "Because you're biting off more than you can chew."

Aaron's face went pale, his hands clenched into fists, trembling with humiliation. As Dylan was wheeled away, Aiden asked quietly, "What if we push him too far?" Dylan looked out at the blustery weather. "Then he won't get the chance to say anything."

Aiden fell silent.noveldrama

Once in the car, Dylan coughed and reached for his meds.

Aiden handed him a bottle of water. "The doc said to keep it moderate. Only up the dose if you really can't handle it."

Dylan paused, rubbing his temples. The meds had side effects that sometimes hit hard, but he had no choice. Without them, sleep was impossible.

Driving, Aiden glanced in the rearview mirror. "You helped

SUS at Palm Bay tomorrow night."

Clara out. She's grateful. May net

Dylan watched the city blur past, gripping the pill bottle tightly, a bitter smile on his

lips. "And what reason would I give?"

Some people are hard to reach, no matter how hard you try.

And the Ferguson family still needed his guidance.

He lowered his gaze to his phone.

Meanwhile, Walter placed the last chess piece, a triumphant smile on his face.

"Looks like I've won this one, old Dawson. You're still a step behind."

Old Dawson, with his scholarly looks, • sighed and took a sip of tea.

"Experience wins again. Even after all this time, I can't match you. Not even the young ones can compare to your teaching. Dylan's got the Ferguson family in good hands; you'll be bouncing a grandchild sooner than you think."

Walter sensed there was more to the conversation and began putting away the chess pieces. “Dylan's not focused on that right now. I won't push him."

"Old Ferguson, I thought he couldn't get over Lanyan, but he's been getting too close to Clara..."

Everyone knew about Maddie, the girl tragically killed seven years ago. It was a mistake on Clara's part that led to Maddie's death.

At the time, Maddie and Clara were friends, but a text from Clara led to Maddie's kidnapping and murder.

The Dawson family couldn't use this against Clara publicly; it would seem like they were throwing their weight around.

A big family couldn't afford to lose face over such things.