No Strings Attached

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Edwin couldn't help but let out a sigh. It seemed that convincing Clara to embrace her roots wouldn't be a walk in the park. And given the shady things Paolo had done for Heidi, it was a good bet that Clara wouldn't want anything to do with him once she learned the truth.

Just then, Edwin's phone rang with a call from his father. He pressed the answer button, and the irritation was clear in his gesture.

Paolo's voice, hoarse with sorrow, came through immediately. "Eddie, Heidi's been sentenced to ten years," his father lamented. "She'll rot in jail for a decade. By the time she gets out, she'll be broken, a shadow of herself. You've got to find a way to get her out. She's your half-sister, for crying out loud."

Paolo began to play the emotional card, but Edwin wasn't buying it. "So, you orchestrated harm to Casey just to clear Heidi's name?" he asked with a cold laugh.

the other end for a few seconds before Paolo replied, "Clara brought it on herself. Why did she have to be so stubborn? If she hadn't been so hellbent on the lawsuit, even after hearing her dad was

fingers clenched around the phone, his voice icy. "You have no right to speak about her like that!

looking after her, I can't touch her, but the day lan drops her,

fell for a man like his father was beyond him. He bit his lip in frustration

accident, and

to Victoria's influence. And now, because of Heidi, Clara had been hurt time and again. Her life, which should

hospital room and approached Clara. His voice was hoarse. "Clara, Casey's out of immediate danger. Please, have something to eat." Clara looked up at the sound of his voice. Her eyes met Edwin's dark and troubled gaze.

twisted into a bitter smile. "Sorry, I'm just looking after you

look after me?" Clara said, incredulous. Had lan lost his mind? Why on earth would he send