Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 504

Chapter 504

The housekeeper tapped lightly on the door. "Young master, would you like something to eat?"

Ryan groaned, shoving a pillow over his head, hoping it would somehow block out his thoughts along with the

noise. He just wanted the world to leave him alone.

But half an hour later, another knock came-this time, it was Cole.

"I can't find Ms. Bradford anywhere, so | had to cto you," Cole called through the door. “There's a really

important document that needs your signature."

Ryan dragged himself out of bed and opened the door. Cole stood there in his immaculate suit, looking every bit

the workaholic. Ryan couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.

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"Do you have any idea what tit is?"

Three in the morning, and this guy was still hustling. The Bradford Group might as well change its nto

"Bradford 24/7," he thought bitterly.

Cole adjusted his glasses and walked right in. "This contract is urgent. I've been trying to reach Ms. Bradford, but

she's not picking up. No one's hat her place either. Do you know where she went?"

Ryan's mind raced. He was tempted to say Clara had gone on vacation, just to keep Cole from panicking and

maybe even calling the cops. But when he looked down at the file in Cole's hands, the words caught in his throat.

It was obvious-this was a huge deal. The kind of contract only Clara, as CEO, was supposed to sign.

Clara had been running herself ragged to save the company. She'd taken risks, invested in new projects, even

signed a couple of artists to shake things up. Now, this contract was from a major international company-one

that wanted a long-term partnership with

Bradford's electronics team. This

could change everything.

Ryan's grip tightened on the document, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You wantto sign this?"

His voice was shaky. He held the papers so tightly his knuckles turned white.

This was about the future of the company. Whoever signed this would be setting the direction for years. It was

supposed to be Clara's call.

"Mr. Ryan, didn't Ms. Bradford ever tell you?" Cole said gently. "When she's not around, you're in charge. She's

noticed all the effort you've put in. She toldherself-she believes you're the one who'll carry on the Bradford

name."

Ryan pressed his lips together, feeling numb as he moved to the side. "Doesn't

she worry I'll screw it up? Or that I'll just... take everything from her?"

Cole waved a hand in front of his face, as if to snap him out of it. "You know, when you were in trouble, the press

went wild. Ms. Bradford had the company issue a public apology, donated five million overnight, and basically

turned the place upside down to save your reputation. Even when you had to give up your shares, she didn't

take them. She set up a trust no one can touch those shares until you're ready. Not even her. She couldn't sell

them if she wanted to. Bradford Group still belongs to you. You're just... not ready yet."

Ryan went pale. He remembered that time—how he'd lost everything, how he'd

been shut out. He'd honestly thought Clara had abandoned him for good.

And then there was Clara getting close to Justin. That had hurt more than anything.

All this time, he'd believed she only cared about the company. But after everything she'd done, she never even

took the shares for herself.

Why didn't she ever tell him any of this...?