No Strings Attached

Chapter 172

Her expression shifted to one of pure professionalism in an instant. So, a birthmark in such a hidden spot would only be known by someone very close to the individual,” she said.

lan’s dark eyes narrowed briefly. “The only people in our family who know about this are Grandma Rose and my parents. I can’t think of a single reason they’d sabotage me since this concerns the entire future of Hayes Corporation”

Clara’s eyelashes fluttered as she met lan’s gaze. “What if someone is using this to force you into marrying Helena? To get you to bring her into the fold?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Helena once gave me a choice. If I convinced you to marry het, she would immediately drop the lawsuit.”

“And why didn’t you tell me? Could it be that you still have feelings for me and didn’t want me to be involved with another woman?”

lan’s piercing gaze was fixed on Clara, searching her face for any sign of reluctant affection,

help you win this

a thousand arrows, his body slumping into

wants

“Clara, don’t you think I’m pitiful? I have a mother who always to control my life, willing to hurt both you and me to achieve her goals. His laughter was tinged

knowing full well that not just anyone could gain access to

away from him, even at the risk of harming Clara physically. Now it seemed she was even

hint of anguish, “Clara, how excruciating must it be to face betrayal from one’s own mother? Are we, perhaps, bound by a shared destiny of suffering?”

Victoria had hurt her time and again, she had felt

cup of coffee with a soft voice, “Pretend she’s not your

managed a wry smile. He wished that were true because without that bond, there would be no barriers

Clara’s hand, but his hands trembled, spilling