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?”

he asked her,

Mr. Hayes is interested in discussing a partnership, shouldn’t we extend our warmest

to me. Don’t you dare mistreat

led Clara to the center of the

should have been reserved for the Hayes Corporation’s anniversary celebration.

was supposed to become lan’s girlfriend. But she betrayed

!

turned frosty. He leaned in, his breath warming her ear as his husky and spellbinding voice broke

Don’t pretend you’re

even. “After tonight, can I consider my debt paid?

her close with

to be cuckolded and swallow my pride? If you want me to let you and Anders off the hook, it’s

his voice a low

stopped in her tracks, anger flaring in her striking