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."

never imagined Heidi would do such a thing. I've hurt Clara. Just let me see her, to say

"There's no need. We have nothing to discuss. And Mr. Paolo, please remember, Casey is the only

so composed and proud, the 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 hating me. Please,

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 would never have escaped prison, and Clara wouldn't have been hurt so badly, almost losing her child. There's a debt to be paid for these wrongs,

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 Hayes family, where was your compassion

with an arrest warrant. "Paolo, you are under suspicion of

lan was being. He looked at him in disbelief. "Ian, I'm Clara's

you, and it will never

that, lan signaled the officers with a nod and said firmly, "Take him