No Strings Attached

Chapter 99

Days had passed since lan, known for his cool composure, had lost his temper at a meeting with the senior staff. As the staff filed out of the conference room, a collective sigh of relief was palpable, like school kids streaming out at the final bell.

In hushed tones, they wondered amongst themselves, “What’s gotten into Mr. Hayes. lately? Everything seems to rub him the wrong way. My proposal was praised just last week, and now it’s rubbish?”

A knowing smirk from one of the group members cut through the murmurs, “Who was sitting next to Mr. Hayes during the last meeting?”

“Ms. Clara.”

“Well, there you have it. The boss is heartbroken. As his underlings, we should show a little empathy.”

As they chatted away, they were oblivious to lan’s presence right behind them. He entered his office with a frosty expression just as Heidi, his new secretary, came in with a steaming cup of coffee.

With a sweet smile, she said, “lan, I made you your coffee. Give it a try.”

a noncommittal ‘hmm‘ and took a sip. His eyebrows knitted together immediately. “Did you put sugar in

you’ve always disliked bitter coffee, so I made it with at touch

“No need

me what I did wrong, and I’ll fix it.

woe. It was her best shot at staying

impatient with her teary–eyed act, said, “Leave now. I’ll switch to tea.” He couldn’t enjoy anyone else’s coffee anymore. It’s just not the same as Clara’s. Secretly, he wondered if Clara had spiked his coffee because his longing for it was unshakeable.

call. He recognized the number and

do you have

two hundred and eighty million yesterday. I suspect it’s connected to patient number eleven from

gaze sharpened. “What makes you say

the donation read, ‘A cycle of fate begins and ends here, hoping all Is well from now on

the