No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 252

The words hit lan like a bolt from the blue, slicing through the calm of his day. His body stiffened, rooted to the spot in shock. After what felt like an eternity, his voice finally broke the silence. "What do you mean?"

"Victoria saw a woman with a black mole on her forehead, the same as your mother's maid. Ian, could it be possible for Clara to be..."

lan didn't let Casey finish. "No, Clara is May and Paolo's daughter, not Leonora's. I'll look into this matter myself, and please, Paolo should not mention anything to Clara for now." Hearing this, the tension that had been gripping Casey's heart finally eased. He let out a sigh, "I hope this has nothing to do with your mother because if it does, you and Clara..."

He couldn't bear to think about it. If it turned out that Leonora was involved in the child's disappearance, could May's death be connected to her as well? If so, then wouldn't Clara and lan be bound by a vendetta? How could they ever be together?

After hanging up Casey's call, lan collapsed onto the couch.

The nanny, Wendy, was just a middle-aged woman from the countryside. She couldn't have orchestrated such a flawless series of crimes. Despite his reluctance to admit it, all signs pointed to his mother. His mother and May were best friends. Why would she harm her child? Was May's death also part of her scheme?

lan was chilled to the bone with these thoughts, and his fists clenched involuntarily.

Just as things with Clara were starting to improve, this clue had to surface. He was desperate for the truth. Immediately, he grabbed his phone and called Dawson.

"Pick up Wendy from the family estate. I need to question her."

Dawson hesitated, then replied, "Mr. Hayes, Wendy was in a car accident yesterday while out grocery shopping. She didn't make it."

lan's deep-set eyes turned icy. It was too much of a coincidence. The moment he was about to investigate, she had an accident.

In a cold voice, he instructed, "Find out the cause of the accident. Leave no stone unturned."

"Right away, sir."

"How's the kidnapping case coming along?"

"The guy who worked with Victoria is named Monte, a thug from the underworld who had a fling with Victoria. They even have a son. He claimed someone offered ten million for Clara's life, promising to set him and his son up abroad. Victoria sacrificed herself to save her son, but the person pulling the strings remains a shadow."

lan felt as if a boulder was crushing his chest, making it hard to breathe.

May's accident, Wendy's death, Casey's kidnapping-were these all connected to his mother?

But Victoria's reason for kidnapping Casey seemed to be a death pact. Could his own mother be plotting against him, too?

A chill ran through lan at the thought. His eyes were bloodshot with strain.

At that moment, Clara walked in. What she saw was lan, pale as a ghost, his lips trembling uncontrollably. She rushed over and wrapped her arms around him, gently stroking his head. "What's wrong? Is it the wound? Is it hurting again?"

Hearing Clara's voice and feeling her warmth, lan's heart swelled. He pulled her close, whispering desperately, "Clara, please don't leave me, okay?"

Clara, puzzled and still groggy from sleep, watched him. "Ian, did something happen?"

"It's nothing. I just had a nightmare last night. I dreamt you left me, Clara. Can you promise me that no matter what happens, you won't leave me? Please?" He looked up at her, his usually cool gaze now filled with an unprecedented panic.

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