No Strings Attached

Chapter 81

Leonora’s eyes flickered with panic, but she quickly regained her composure. “Why would you say that? May died in that car crash trying to protect her child. How could it be a lie? Heidi looks just like Paolo, right down to the blood type. Just don’t mention this in front of him. You know how fiercely protective he gets.”

“When the Campbells saw lan blind in one eye and limping, and they came to me wanting to call off the engagement, I should have cut ties with them right then and there. Now I have to deal with Heidi pestering my grandson every day.” Rose huffed.

Leonora’s voice softened considerably

“Ian chose this match for himself when he was a little boy. He stood in front of the family elders and said he’d marry May’s baby girl when they grew up. We can’t go back on our word.”

Rose scoffed, “He was four years old. What did he know? He just wanted a little sister or brother to play with. If your child hadn’t met with misfortune, would he have had to run off to the Campbells?”

The mention of the past darkened Leonora’s expression. “Mom, it wasn’t intentional. Because of that child, Teo still hasn’t forgiven me. He’d rather fool around than be with

me.”

“Enough. Don’t you use that family background issue to stop Clara from entering

had always been her Achilles‘ heel. Her father had been a gambler, often abusive, and eventually ended up in prison due to involuntary manslaughter. Her mother passed away a few years later

looked down on her.

he never

name filled Leonora’s eyes

Monday morning.

packing up her things. She approached with an icy

of? Your success is due to nothing more than a

by selling yourself. Without Mr. Hayes‘ patronage, you’d be nothing. You’re just like your mother, selling your body