Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run novel Chapter 48

Quinn was dressed to the nines, and even the handbag she carried was worth a small fortune. She was surrounded by several senior engineers from the Bradford Corporation, all looking at her with admiration and respect. Most of these engineers were in their mid-thirties, and the younger ones seemed particularly taken with Quinn.

Spotting Clara, Quinn greeted her with a warm smile, "Hey Clara, are you staying here too?"

The engineers recognized Clara from a previous livestream competition between her and Quinn. Their faces showed nothing but disdain.

"Miss Clara, do you have time to hang around? Have you shipped out the thousands of orders?"

"Yeah, some folks never achieve anything. Miss Quinn has already spearheaded several multi-million dollar projects."

"If it weren't for the livestream, I wouldn't have known she was the eldest daughter in the Bradford family."

They all laughed among themselves, clearly enjoying the banter.

Quinn quickly stepped in. "Alright, enough. You guys work for the company, and technically, she's your superior."

Someone piped up, "Does she own shares in the Bradford Corporation?"

Quinn paused for a moment, then carefully said, "Mom and Dad plan to give her some eventually."

"Then she's not really a superior."

Laughter broke out again, but Quinn turned to Clara, offering a reassuring smile, "Clara, they're just being blunt because they're techies. Don't take it personally."

In any company, senior engineers are the backbone. They don't typically get involved in power plays but are crucial to the company's success. Earning their support could solidify one's position. Quinn had already done just that and even got them on board for a small community project. It highlighted Quinn's high standing in the company.

Clara wasn't interested in these petty games and turned to leave, but the engineers were not having it. They were respected, so how could this "useless" young lady ignore them without fearing any backlash?

Simon looked troubled, having overheard the conversation.

"Clara, I thought your online slip-up was noe intentional. But now you're spreading rumors about Quinn in person, too? What did you mean by those words? Are you implying something inappropriate between Quinn and these guys? How could you be so awful? Quinn is your sister, and you're spreading lies about her?"

Clara was baffled. When did she ever suggest Quinn had anything improper going on with them? She was merely pointing out their inappropriate admiration for Quinn. But Simon had completely twisted her words.

She opened the car door, eager to leave. After all, the thousands of orders weren't going to ship themselves.

Simon grabbed her wrist, his anger boiling over.

"You blocked my number, and then you followed Quinn to South Ashford without a word, just to smear her on a live stream? Do you know how harshly she's being criticized online? No wonder your brother, who grew up with you, sides with Quinn. How can he hold his head high when he has a sister like you?"

Mentioning Ryan hit Clara hard. She'd known Ryan for years, but after Quinn returned to the Bradford family five years ago., Ryan favored Quinn so much that it was something she couldn't ignore, even if she tried to convince herself otherwise.