No Strings Attached

Chapter 90

Greta couldn’t help but marvel, “That girl is a mix of innocence and allure – looks like a pushover if there ever was one. Grandma Rose, I’ve got to head over and make my presence felt as the big sister here.”

She made to stand up, but Rose’s firm hand on her shoulder stopped her. “Don’t stir up trouble for your brother. Let’s see what he’s up to first,” Rose advised with a knowing look. From the moment Clara and lan entered, they captured everyone’s attention. They had attended functions together before but never with such fanfare, both dressed in matching formal attire. The way lan gazed at Clara was loaded with affection.

Murmurs bubbled up from the crowd.

“Mr. Hayes bringing Ms. Clara to such a high–profile event must mean she’s more than just a date,” one guest speculated.

Heidi, overhearing these comments, clenched her fists in anger. She could see lan’s intentions clear as day. He wanted to acknowledge Clara’s status in front of this crowd, and Heidi was set on preventing it. She whipped out her phone and hastily sent a text.

After greeting city leaders and several VIPs, lan escorted Clara over to Rose. “Grandmal Rose, keep an eye on her for me, will you? Make sure nobody gives her a hard time.”

Rose chuckled and took Clara’s hand. “Don’t you worry, lan. I’ll guard her like a treasure.”

I

Greta joined in the teasing, “Should I find a little box to stash your treasure away for safekeeping?”

lan seemed to relish the pet name ‘treasure‘ as he leaned in close to Clara. His breath, warm and moist, brushed her burning earlobe as he murmured, “Stay put, I’ve got a surprise for you.”

Clara noticed a swarm of cameras trained on them and instinctively tried to retreat, but lan’s firm grip encircled her waist. A soft chuckle resonated in her ear, “Are you scared already? What will you do later?”

“Ian,” Clara whispered, her voice a mix of curiosity and unease, “what are you planning?” A bold guess flashed through her mind, only to be immediately dismissed, yet lan’s unusual behavior left her feeling uneasy.

lan kissed her forehead gently. “Just nail the opening dance, and there might be a reward for you,” he said with a cryptic smile.

His fingers lightly grazed Clara’s nose before he gave Greta a few instructions and headed toward the stage.

As the company’s CEO, lan was the first to speak. His tall figure and handsome features

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xuded an air of commanding elegance.

Merely standing there, he drew all eyes upon him. He kept his speech brief, reflecting on the past and looking toward the future, making promises to staff and business partners.

As he descended the stage, he was intercepted by the city official, Trevor. “Mr. Hayes, my boy Nine just returned from abroad and opened a new law firm. I’d be much obliged if you could support his venture.”

lan looked surprised. “You have two sons?”

“Not at all. Anders is my only one. Nine is his nickname.” Trevor clarified.

A pang tightened in lan’s chest. If Anders‘ nickname was ‘Nine, could he be the Mr. Nine Clara holds dear to her heart? The thought darkened lan’s expression further.

After exchanging pleasantries with Trevor, he went in search of Clara.

But ten minutes earlier…

A text from an unknown number had popped up on Clara’s phone. As she read it, a chill ran through her. She grabbed her phone and, under some pretense, hurried to the rooftop terrace

When Clara reached the rooftop, she found Victoria perched on the railing’s edge, her body half– over the precipice. One wrong move and Victoria could fall. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Clara cried out in alarm, “What in the world are you doing?!”