No Strings Attached

Chase watched him with a mix of glee and scorn. "Why don't you keep up the act? I swear, man, there's no Long Island Iced Tea strong enough to match the bitterness of your charade. Haven't you figured it out yet? Clara's a lawyer, for Pete's sake. Trying to outsmart her in a wordplay is like bringing a knife to a gunfight!"

lan, clutching his side where the pain throbbed, glared at Chase. "Shut it, will you? Is it gonna kill you to be quiet for once?"

"Nope, but watching you get your comeuppance sure is killing me... with laughter, ha!"

Just then, Heidi breezed through the door with a sunny smile, offering invitations to lan and Chase. "Ian, Chase, my recital is next Saturday. You guys have to come and show some support!"

lan didn't even flinch, nor did he reach for the invitation. His voice was icy as he said, "I'm busy!" Then, he closed his eyes to rest.

with tears, a

news! I will definitely be there. Don't mind this

words left Heidi speechless. Was lan looking to patch things up with Clara? Her hands, hanging by her sides, clenched into fists without her

A week later.

recital was held in Northbridge's most opulent concert hall. She had

However, fate was cruel, and at 28, she perished in a car accident-a

savvy. Not only did she leverage May's legacy to draw in the big names, but she also let slip her love story with lan. Soon, the scandal of the Campbell family's heiress losing her motherhood rights for love was the talk of the town. Public sentiment turned in her favor, while Clara was vilified as a homewrecker, a usurper of love and

think you can compete with me for a man? Dream on!" sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on

Piano Association. Dressed in a radiant white gown, she stood at the center of the stage like an angel descended as