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."

bitch. You don't even care about your mom! What's so great about her? She's from a lowly background, with such a scandalous mother.

the nearest broom and swung it at Paolo. "Who are you calling a bitch? You blind-hearted scumbag. You and your venomous daughter are a match made in hell. Get out! You're not welcome

sense into Paolo with that broom. If Clara ever found out this man was her

family's grand entrance. His expensive cashmere coat was soiled by the broom. He brushed off the dirt with disgust, glaring at the door as he bit down hard on his lip. Pulling out his cell phone, he made a call to Leonora. "Looks like your son's cozying up to Clara again. You took your punishment for

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

fury. "At this point, I can

up, he drove

to Clara, but with a deadbeat dad like Paolo, I'll be damned if I let

reddened. His daughter was so beautiful and kind; why did her

had endured