No Strings Attached

Upon hearing those words, Clara spun around, her gaze steady and fearless. Her voice was a chill breeze as she said, "Well, Mr. Paolo, that remains to be seen if you've got what it takes." After saying that, she pivoted on her heel and ascended the staircase.

Paolo gritted his teeth in frustration, about to retort when lan's low chuckle filled the space. "Sorry, Paolo, my dear Clara has been utterly spoiled by me. It's my fault she's so informal with you. But I have to say she's spot on you really don't have what it takes."

lan leaned casually against the doorframe, with his hands buried in his overcoat pockets. The shadow of a smirk played on his lips. His eyes flashed a clear warning: "Touch her and you'll see."

Paolo clenched his fists, too angry to utter another word of disrespect. Instead, he turned to lan. "Didn't she dump you? And yet here you are, defending her. Don't forget, because of her, your mother endured a hundred lashes."

lan's gaze was icy as he replied, "Which is exactly why you should know better, Paolo. Anyone who has harmed Clara is on my blacklist, even if it's my own mother."

don't even care about your mom! What's so great about her? She's from a lowly background, with such a scandalous mother. Aren't you afraid of being the

it at Paolo. "Who are you calling a bitch? You blind-hearted scumbag. You and your venomous daughter

visibly furious, even resorting to violence. He wished he could knock some sense into Paolo with that broom. If Clara ever found out this

down hard on his lip. Pulling out his cell phone, he made a call to Leonora. "Looks like your

win," she hissed through clenched teeth. "How's Heidi?

fury. "At this point, I

up,

look. "I hoped to one day reveal the truth to Clara, but with a deadbeat dad like Paolo, I'll be damned if I let her suffer his disgrace. She'll always be the apple of

His eyes reddened. His daughter was so beautiful and kind;

endured