No Strings Attached

Chapter 16

“Oh, all that stuff is worthless compared to the joy of you giving me a great–grandbaby to dote on,” she said with a chuckle, her eyes crinkling with mirth as she glanced around the office. “I heard you had this stunning and competent little assistant. How come I haven’t seen her around?”

“She resigned, lan replied curtly, without offering any further explanation.

Rose tsked with disapproval. “You couldn’t keep a girl as sweet and smart, as pretty and capable as her? What a waste! I had my eye on her to be my granddaughter–in–law.” It looked like she’d have to step in, or else that perfect bride would slip away.

lan just smirked dismissively. The sweet and understanding Clara? That was in the past.

The Clara of now was like a rose with thorns. Every time he attempted to get close, she’d prick him. The thought brought the familiar frustration bubbling up inside him again.

Meanwhile, Clara was piecing the puzzle together and realized Nicole had turned on her. She adamantly claimed it was Clara who instructed her to destroy the evidence. And there was the matter of the one–million–dollar transaction between them.

It was a loan from Clara to Nicole. She needed the money for her wedding and to furnish her new home, so she borrowed a million from Clara.

money would now be labeled

out a bitter laugh. The person she trusted the most had turned against her at the

the evidence seems stacked against me. I don’t want to damage your

told you before, with me around, no one’s going to mess with you

look. Nicole wouldn’t betray me without reason.

insisted.

phone suddenly rang. The caller ID made her frown in annoyance. As soon as she answered, an abrasive

her grandmather Eve. Whenever she

Clara stepped into the Bell family’s grand hall, a mug came flying at her. She couldn’t dodge in time,