No Strings Attached

Chapter 108

Before Clara could utter a word, Anders, who had been standing behind her, grabbed her wrist and glared coldly at lan. “Sorry, Mr. Hayes, but that’s a no–go. We’ll have to pass on your… ‘generosity.” With a firm tug, he pulled Clara to his side, shielding her like a guardian angel.

A sting shot through lan’s heart, and his eyes darkened with an added chill. “Did you really think I came here to talk shop with you today?”

He slowly approached Clara, leaned in, and whispered with a low chuckle in her ear. “If you don’t play along tonight, believe me, I’ll trash Anders‘ joint!”

Clara looked up to meet lan’s smoldering gaze. She knew he wouldn’t let her off the hook that easily. Biting her lip in determination, she faced lan with a steely look. “Dancing with you, Mr. Hayes, would be my pleasure. I trust you’re a man of your word.”

Anders immediately stepped in front of her. “Clara, he’s baiting you. You’re not dancing with him.”

Clara lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Anders, trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

Their exchange left Mr. Marco brimming with suspicion. Pointing at lan, he asked, “Have you met them before?”

his eyes downcast, he asked her, “What do you

we’re not. Since Mr. Hayes is interested in discussing

to me. Don’t you dare mistreat

Then, he led Clara to the center

reserved for the Hayes Corporation’s anniversary celebration.

become lan’s girlfriend. But she betrayed

!

Clara turned frosty. He leaned in, his breath warming her ear as

Don’t pretend you’re the victim

gaze met his, her voice calm and even. “After tonight, can I consider my debt paid? Will

pulling her close with an intimidating

and swallow my pride? If you want me to let

leaned down and bit her earlobe, his voice a low growl, “Spend the night

stopped in her tracks, anger flaring in her striking eyes. “lan, in your dreams!”