No Strings Attached

Clara froze mid-step as she caught sight of the man's striking features. "Mr. Brodie? What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.

Why did Brodie's profile remind her so much of lan's? Not only that, their builds and movements were uncannily similar. She'd mistaken two completely unrelated men for one another. If lan found out, he'd surely be as sour as an overturned jar of pickles.

Brodie offered a gentle curve of his lips. "I've acquired that land. I'm planning to build an eco-friendly farmstead and thought I'd scout the place out."

Clara followed the direction of Brodie's gesture and saw a verdant lake stretching before them.

Nodding in approval, she said, "The lake is surrounded by hills. The environment is really serene, and the water is pristine. You could develop some water attractions. I bet it would be a hit."

Brodie chuckled. "You seem to know quite a bit about development."

"I worked on an eco-estate project with lan once. It's similar to what you have here."

lan, a shadow crossed Brodie's eyes, and

twinkle in her eyes, like when she was a child and had spotted something she adored. A touch of bitterness flickered across his face, but he managed a small smile. "Clara, if lan's mother

kidnapping have

gaze filled with a pained empathy. "It

hold it against lan. He's his own man. His mother is a different story." The look in Brodie's eyes intensified further. He wanted to ask her if she would still feel indifferent, knowing it was her mother who was harmed. But seeing Clara's unwavering trust

harm's way and landed a kick in the belly of the shadowy figure.

from the ground and defended them both, keeping Clara safely behind him.

and shaking,

lost his composure, wanting to embrace her and comfort her as he had when they were younger. "Don't be scared. I've got you," he would have said. But his hand, raised to touch her head, stopped midway and fell

and his little girl could never return to how they once were.

a sigh of relief. "Reed's home is just up ahead. Let me take

insisted. "It's no bother. My dad's there, too, and we haven't had dinner yet. You just saved me, so the least I can