No Strings Attached

lan's cool gaze rested upon them, the corners of his lips curling into a smile that held a hint of inscrutability. "What gifts exactly are you planning to send?"

The woman chuckled triumphantly. "Reed has got this vintage bowl. Word is it could fetch a pretty penny. If I gift that to the big boss, my son will be a shoo-in for the branch manager position next year. We're talking about a salary with six zeros, darling. Not something your run-of-the-mill family physician can compete with."

Clara watched as the group carried on with their snide remarks, and she couldn't help but furrow her brow in frustration. After all these years, why couldn't they shed their penchant for one-upmanship? With his formidable skills, Casey had taken the family business handed down from her grandfather to impressive heights, only to become the object of envy among these people. They would grasp at any straw to tarnish Clara's mother's reputation, undermining her father's standing within the family.

Clara had no desire to argue with them. She tugged at lan's arm and murmured, "Don't mind them. That's just their way."

lan chuckled dismissively. "I was just thinking of picking up an antique for you to play with."

Clara shot him a glance. "That's Grandpa Reed's treasure, and he won't part with it for anyone."

were to tie the knot, it's not like just anyone can bring a

minor manager at Hayes Corporation's branch office- even the

and then declared, "Looks like it's just a fracture. I can set the bone right here and then apply a splint. He

him, "You

made such a fuss coming over here. But since he's brought you and Clara along, I can't say I

it's only right for us as the younger

with his usual

grown up in. But far from showing disdain, lan settled himself

felt a surge of emotion that she couldn't quite define. Maybe this was love. For the one