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?"

the Hayes family. I suspect the child didn't die in the accident. The man in the wheelchair, he

words, Rose sighed deeply. "He still believes it was your grandfather who wanted them dead. What a tragic connection. The mistake your grandfather made years ago has caused you and Clara to suffer We, the Hayes, owe

repeatedly found herself in danger, narrowly escaping death several times. All

Rose's concern, Clara quickly comforted her, "Grandma, don't worry. This will all

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

an assortment of pastries. Clara's eyes widened. Her lips parted in delight. "Michelin-starred rainbow cupcakes? Wow, Grandma, how did

like them, so I asked the butler to pick them

"Thank you, Grandma."

appetite, especially for her favorite treats. She eagerly grabbed a fork and plunged it into a cupcake. The creamy sweetness exploded on her taste buds