No Strings Attached

lan's brows shot up in surprise. "You recognize the person in the photo?"

Rose's gaze lingered on the woman in the photograph as she began to speak. Her voice was low and distant. "That woman is named Anya. She was your grandfather's childhood sweetheart. A family feud kep them apart, but I've heard they had a child together - older than your father by a year. Could that be the little boy in the picture?"

Her words unlocked a floodgate of thoughts in lan's mind. "What happened to her afterward?"

"They say she and the child moved abroad. On the way to the airport, there was a car accident, and they both died."

lan furrowed his brow. His eyes pierced as he looked at Rose. "Was it my grandfather's doing?"

"Watch your mouth!" Rose glared at him. "Do you think your granddad's that kind of man? It was his brother who did it, trying to pin the blame on him, stirring up animosity from the Hansen family toward us. That's why the Hansens still see our family, the Hayes, as enemies. But the woman and child died in the accident, and where did you get this photo from?"

I suspect the child didn't die in the accident. The man in the wheelchair, he must be him." S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

still believes it was your grandfather who wanted them dead. What a tragic connection. The mistake your grandfather made years ago has

Clara's hand. Her eyes moistened as she watched her. Because of this fateful entanglement, not only had Clara lost her mother, but she had also repeatedly found herself in danger, narrowly escaping death several times. All of it

Clara quickly comforted her, "Grandma, don't worry. This will all be over soon. Once we catch him, everything will

head. Her eyes showed her gratitude. "You're a good girl, Clara. Ian's lucky to have you.

box from her bag and opened it to reveal an assortment of pastries. Clara's eyes

had a hunch you'd like them, so I asked the butler

"Thank you, Grandma."

She eagerly grabbed a fork and plunged