No Strings Attached

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Paolo was there. His thigh was braced in a splint, and he was seated in a wheelchair. His hair had turned much whiter, and lines seemed to have etched deeper into his face. His eyes, filled with guilt and remorse, sought out Clara.

Edwin was the first to block his path. "Clara doesn't need a father like you. Why don't you go back and dote on your illegitimate child?"

Paolo didn't flare up at his son's harsh words. Instead, he pleaded softly, "I just want to see Clara. It doesn't matter if she accepts me or not."

"You're here to see if she's alive or dead, is that it? Clara have suffered so much all because of Heidi's madness. If Clara hadn't been smart this time around, she and her child would probably be shark bait by now."

realize my mistakes. I never imagined Heidi would do such a thing. I've hurt Clara. Just

"There's no need. We have

spitting image of May. He looked at her remorsefully. "Clara, I'm sorry. I'll give you all my fortune as your wdding gift if only you'll stop

lan pulled Clara into his embrace with a protective air. "Paolo, if Clara had been killed by Heidi's fire, do you think any dowry could bring her back? She was tied up and beaten by Heidi on that ship, nearly burned alive. Do you think a simple apology can erase it all? If you hadn't colluded, Heidi

with tears streaming down his face, grasped lan's hand. "Ian, I've watched you grow up. Don't be so heartless. Your father-in-law and your dad have already beaten me. Isn't that punishment enough?" lan's response was a cold laugh. "When you joined forces with the four major families to attack the

They presented Paolo with an arrest warrant. "Paolo, you are under suspicion of business collusion and conspiracy

at him in disbelief. "Ian,

never you, and

the officers with