No Strings Attached

After finishing her words, Leonora fled from the scene with Heidi.

Clara was under lan's watchful guard, and a direct confrontation was out of the question. Besides, Teo had just reconsidered the divorce because she saved Rose and didn't want to escalate things further. Her primary objective was to secure her place as the head, as Teo's wife. As for that bitch Clara, she'd deal with her sooner or later.

When Clara entered, lan immediately voiced his concern, "Where have you been? What took so long?"

"Just out for a stroll," she replied, her eyes darting away, unable to meet his gaze.

lan sensed something was off. Inhaling sharply, he exclaimed, "Clara, I'm in so much pain."

She rushed over to him, about to lift his shirt to check the wound, when lan grabbed her wrist. It was then that lan noticed the red mark of a slap on Clara's face. His eyes turned icy as he lifted her hair and demanded, "Who did this to you?"

silent, and lan clenched his teeth in anger. "Was it my mother? I'm going

someone dared to strike the woman he wouldn't even allow a scratch upon. The fury within lan reached a boiling point, his forehead veins bulging prominently. But before he could move, Clara stopped him.

Twice, in fact.

me the truth?" Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴet website

for our child - she

at her words. He slowly wrapped his arms around Clara, whispering soothingly, "Clara, I'm sorry. I failed to protect you

The child had brought Clara much distress and had driven

bliss, gently stroking her hair as his warm lips grazed her head unintentionally. Just then,

you were " Dawson began, only to be cut off by lan's

Mr. Hayes, right away." Dawson shut the door softly, patting his chest in relief, having seen the predatory look in

out of her reverie and pulled away from lan. "I have to be in court today. I should go." She grabbed her things