No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 226

Chase watched him with a mix of glee and scorn. "Why don't you keep up the act? I swear, man, there's no Long Island Iced Tea strong enough to match the bitterness of your charade. Haven't you figured it out yet? Clara's a lawyer, for Pete's sake. Trying to outsmart her in a wordplay is like bringing a knife to a gunfight!"

lan, clutching his side where the pain throbbed, glared at Chase. "Shut it, will you? Is it gonna kill you to be quiet for once?"

"Nope, but watching you get your comeuppance sure is killing me... with laughter, ha!"

Just then, Heidi breezed through the door with a sunny smile, offering invitations to lan and Chase. "Ian, Chase, my recital is next Saturday. You guys have to come and show some support!"

lan didn't even flinch, nor did he reach for the invitation. His voice was icy as he said, "I'm busy!" Then, he closed his eyes to rest.

Heidi's eyes instantly welled up with tears, a picture of pitiable longing.

Chase quickly jumped in with a chuckle to lighten the mood. "Heidi, you've got your own gig now. That's big news! I will definitely be there. Don't mind this grump. He's too busy chasing his missus to care abou our little world."

His words left Heidi speechless. Was lan looking to patch things up with Clara? Her hands, hanging by her sides, clenched into fists without her realizing.

A week later.

Heidi's piano recital was held in Northbridge's most opulent concert hall. She had spared no expense, inviting numerous renowned musicians from home and abroad.

They were all there for May. More than two decades ago, May had been a shooting star in the piano world, reaching her peak the moment she debuted. To this day, her skill remained unmatched. However, fate was cruel, and at 28, she perished in a car accident-a profound loss to the music community. Had she lived, she would undoubtedly stand at the pinnacle of the global stage. The musicians were also curious to see if May's daughter would bring any surprises.

Heidi's marketing was savvy. Not only did she leverage May's legacy to draw in the big names, but she also let slip her love story with lan. Soon, the scandal of the Campbell family's heiress losing her motherhood rights for love was the talk of the town. Public sentiment turned in her favor, while Clara was vilified as a homewrecker, a usurper of love and position.

With a triumphant smirk, Heidi scrolled through the viral posts. "Clara, you think you can compete with me for a man? Dream on!"

The recital was a smashing success, and Heidi's talent was lauded by all. She was even dubbed a 'prodigy' by the Piano Association. Dressed in a radiant white gown, she stood at the center of the stage like an angel descended as the media swarmed around her.

"Ms. Heidi," one reporter began, "we know that reaching this level of piano mastery requires a steadfast heart. Are you planning to be just as unwavering in your love life?"

Tears brimmed in Heidi's eyes as a bittersweet smile crossed her lips. "Thank you all for your concern. No matter the obstacles ahead, I will keep pushing forward. I just want the person I love to know that though seas may dry and rocks may crumble, my love remains unchanging. I will always be right here, waiting for your backward glance."

Her words rang with sincerity, and her misty eyes moved the audience.

However. in that moment of shared empathy, the hall was suddenly showered with a rain of photographs. Like snowflakes, they floated down from above, and as the crowd caught and examined them, a collective gasp filled the air.

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