No Strings Attached

Chapter 26

Clara tried to pull herself away, but her body went limp, and she collapsed into lan’s embrace.

“Clara!”

Spotting Clara’s hand reaching desperately for her purse, lan instantly grasped the situation. He flicked her forehead, irritation lacing his voice, “Clara, are you trying to get yourself killed?”

It was either injuries or hypoglycemia with her. If she didn’t bumped into him, who knows what might have happened.

Without wasting a moment, lan pulled out a piece of candy from the bag and slipped it into Clara’s mouth, eyes filled with concern. “Feeling better now?”

It took Clara a moment to gather her strength, but finally, she managed a weak ‘thank you‘ and tried to slide off the bathroom countertop to leave.

Before she could move, lan scooped her up in his arms. “lan, put me down,” she protested.

But no matter how much Clara struggled, lan carried her straight into the private booth.

The crowd inside froze at the sight. The trust–fund brat who had been pushing drinks on Clara moments earlier shot up from the couch, panic–stricken. “Mr. Hayes, what brings you here?”

lan set Clara down on a chair and his icy gaze swept over everyone present. “Who was she drinking with just

now?”

The group was too terrified to utter a word. Clara’s beauty, combined with the Bell family’s current misfortunes, had made them eager to take advantage.

When no one spoke up, lan turned his attention to a nearby server. “If you want to keep your job, spill the

beans.”

Everyone knew who lan was. The untouchable devil of Northbridge. The heir of the affluent Hayes family. His word could spell ruin or resurrection.

—

The server lowered his head in fear. “Mr. Hayes, Ms. Clara had a total of ten drinks three with Mr. John, two. with Mr. Lee, and the rest with Mr. Jim.”

The guilty parties hurriedly apologized, “Mr. Hayes, we’re sorry, we had no idea Ms. Clara was one of yours.” They each grabbed a glass and chugged one after the other.

Just as they thought they could stop, lan’s chilling voice echoed, “Who told you to stop?” Terrified, they continued pouring and drinking until they all collapsed under his coercion.

lan sauntered over to Clara and glanced at her. Leaning down, he pecked her

lips lightly. “In my own way, I’ve avenged you. Ready to come home with me now?”

His warm breath tingled Clara’s ear and his dark pupils shimmered with fractured light. His crimson lips curved into an attractive arc, and his Adam’s apple slid up and down seductively.

Without waiting for Clara’s response, he lifted her chin and kissed her softly. “Come back with me. We can try for another child.”

A bitter laugh escaped Clara’s lips. “To go back and continue being your sugar baby?”

lan’s eyes widened in surprise. “You heard that?”

“Sorry, just happened to overhear. I never knew I had such a charming nickname. But I’m done being your sugar baby. Please, Mr. Hayes, let me go.”

With each word, Clara’s heart trembled uncontrollably. She never imagined that years of deep affection would end up with her being labeled as nothing more than a sugar baby.

14:10

2 Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Her eyes were teary as she looked at lan, seemingly calm, but underneath the still surface, a storm of emotions raged.

Before lan could respond, the door suddenly swung open. Heidi stood there in a sleek black dress, her hand in a splint.

Seeing the intimate scene before her, Heidi cursed Clara silently, then quickly put on a face of utter distress. “lan, Clara broke two of my fingers. You have to stand up for me.”