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.

love for lan, three years of intimate companionship,

like this.

lan would proudly introduce her as his girlfriend in front of everyone, the day he would propose

work. The company’s anniversary bash is this Saturday, and it looks

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 to do anything?”

fixed on Clara in the video. His fingertips were pale as he gripped his phone. Clara 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

replied with an icy tone, “Make it clear that if anyone speaks another word about this, they’re out. No second chances.”

thumbs–up, impressed. “You’re the man, Mr. Hayes! I’ll spread the word. Let’s see who dares to gossip

“Send Clara in.”