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?"

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 to hell with me." Clara felt the strength drain from her body. She collapsed onto the bed, her voice trembling.

had been in the kitchen whipping up pancakes, rushed over and

you lay a finger on him, I swear you'll

"lan, prepare ten million. Get me out of the country, or I'll make your woman lose the

"Don't you dare!"

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

"Victoria!"

arrange everything." Victoria demanded, "I want ten million in cash and a

The call ended abruptly.

"Mr. Hayes, Victoria knocked out a nurse, switched into her uniform, and fooled

Hayes, there's a traitor in the prison. Victoria's suicide was a sham. Her real plan was

she might have been the