No Strings Attached

"Alright, I'm on it."

lan hung up the phone and remained silent for a few seconds. His people had just made contact with Victoria, and before they could pry any useful information from her lips, she had landed in trouble.

There was no way this was just a coincidence. Someone with a long reach was pulling strings from behind the scenes, all the way into the prison. Was it an attempt to silence someone for good, or was there another agenda at play?

lan glanced at Clara, a sinking feeling in his gut. "Clara," he called softly, "stay by my side for the next few days. Don't go anywhere on your own."

Clara had overheard the phone call. She knew what lan was worried about. So, without any objection, she obediently nodded.

For several days straight, lan stayed at Clara's place. Although they slept in separate bedrooms, their relationship had warmed considerably.

Just when they thought this ordeal might be behind them, Clara's phone rang early one morning. It was her dad. With affection, she answered, "Dad?"

came back was Victoria's sinister chuckle. "Clara, your dear daddy is with me now. Want to save him? Have lan rustle up ten million for me, or I'll be taking your beloved dad down

voice, lan, who had been in the kitchen whipping up pancakes, rushed over and snatched

"if you lay a finger

of the country, or I'll

"Don't you dare!"

stopping me? She's not my flesh and blood. What

"Victoria!"

the phone, "Give me the location. I'll arrange everything." Victoria demanded, "I want ten million in cash and a chopper. You've got three hours, or Clara can start planning

The call ended abruptly.

uniform, and fooled the guards at the door - she's on the run." lan cursed,

suicide was a sham. Her real plan was to escape. She

Clara's side these last few days, she might have been the one taken. "She's kidnapped Casey. Get a chopper and ten million