No Strings Attached

lan watched Clara with a gaze rich in unspoken affection, his voice dropping to a seductive rasp, "I'm still chasing her."

That single statement repositioned Clara in the grand scheme of things. She wasn't just some caged pet, pampered and kept by lan. She was the woman the crown prince of the Hayes dynasty had been tirelessly courting.

And who was lan? The epitome of power in Northbridge, an untouchable deity, perched high above mere mortals. He was the unattainable rose every woman yearned to pluck. With just a word, he could command legions of admirers to live or die for him.

And now, in front of the media, he was openly admitting his pursuit of Clara.

Such explosive news sent shockwaves through the press corps, igniting a frenzy as reporters bombarded them with questions, desperate for a nugget of confirmation.

lan's gaze lingered on Clara, tender and entwining as vines. "As for how long the chase will last, that's up to Attorney Clara to decide when she'll officially have me. But no matter how long it takes, the position of Mrs. Hayes is hers and hers alone."

mentioned 'love,' but they were drenched in deep-seated emotion. Such

felt as though she was ensnared

boy she adored rescued her

a sugar baby. He said the title of Mrs. Hayes was reserved for

Clara's eyes as she looked at lan. The man was devilishly handsome, his features chiseled, his looks deceivingly aloof, but his eyes were like twin pools of allure, drawing her in. Those eyes

had to admit that she couldn't forget lan and couldn't resist

she whispered, "lan." It was a call so

a feather-light kiss on her forehead. His eyes, those dark, fathomless orbs, couldn't hide the profound love within. "You were never a fling. You were

heart for so long, throbbing in the quiet of the night. Now, with lan's public declaration, the thorn was being pulled out. Though painful, the sting was strangely sweet, a sweetness that radiated from her heart, engulfing her

a husky whisper, "Clara, believe me, before long, you'll