No Strings Attached

Chapter 82

Clara’s fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She stood in the middle of the office. The weight of the world pressed down on her shoulders.

She knew Heidi would never let this go. That damning recording was the perfect weapon to rile her up. It was no secret now. The whole company was abuzz with whispers of her clandestine affair with lan.

Amy sidled up to her, tugging gently at her sleeve. “Ms. Clara, we all believe in you. There’s got to be some kind of mistake here.”

Clara’s laugh was tinged with bitterness. “No mistake. What she said is true.”

It was lan’s own voice on the tape. It couldn’t be a lie. Even if she wanted to hide it, there was no way she could.

Before she even walked into work that day, she’d braced herself for the worst. But when the moment of confrontation actually arrived, her heart still ached with the pain of it.

three years of intimate companionship, and it

like this.

as his girlfriend in front of everyone, the day he would propose

work. The company’s anniversary bash is this Saturday, and it looks like we’re in for some long

having captured the entire scene on his phone. The uncertainty was etched on his face as he showed it to lan. “Mr. Hayes, the whole office is buzzing about this. The things they’re saying they’re way worse than Nicole’s usual gossip. Aren’t you going

had always been docile and obdient to him, but beneath that soft exterior lay a pride and stubbornness that refused to bow down. She had never belittled herself like this before, even when he had accused her of approaching him with ulterior motives. She had always held her head high, defiant. Now, she seemed resigned to her fate.

icy tone, “Make it clear that if anyone speaks another word

impressed. “You’re the man, Mr. Hayes! I’ll spread the

“Send Clara in.”