Chapter 40 
It seemed Heldi had underestimated Clara. 
An hour later, the meeting was over, and the contract was signed on schedule. 
As everyone was dispersing, Leonora deliberately said in front of everyone, “lan, Heidi has reserved our old haunt at the Willow Bistro, the private booth where you two used to have your little rendezvous. She’ll be waiting for you there.” 
 
The implication couldn’t have been clearer. And how could Clara fail to grasp it? 
 
Clara’s expression unchanging, she lowered her head to tidy up the documents, a practiced smile playing at the corners of her mouth. As Clara stood up, she nodded. politely at lan. “Mr. Hayes, enjoy your meal.” 
 
With that, she gathered her notebook and papers, ready to leave, but lan’s grip on her wrist halted her departure. After a forceful pull, Clara found herself in his arms. 
 
Her expression changed instantly, her eyes icy. “Mr. Hayes, this is a boardroom. I’d appreciate a bit of decorum.” 
 
 grazed Clara’s delicate cheek as a meaningful smile spread across
 
“Jealous?” 
 
 a contractual relationship. There’s no need for chivalry on your part. Whether you dine with an ex
 
 concern, or do you simply not
 
 Clara’s face for that old, unmistakable flash of jealousy. But it didn’t come. Instead, Clara’s throat emitted a soft chuckle. “Mr. Hayes, talk like that
 
 He pushed her away, his
 
 
 up, reclaimed her documents, and nodded
 
won’t.” 
 
 turned and left the conference
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!