No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 293

Clara's aunt pointed an accusing finger at Clara. "I always said you and your mother were nothing but bad omens, bringing just bad luck. You just had to take Reed to see the doctor, and now look what happened! The man's gone, and we were all counting on him to make ends meet."

"I bet she had something to do with Reed's death. She probably wants to hog that family heirloom all to herself."

"With all the grandchildren we have, there's no way that treasure should go to just her. She's always been a financial drain. We ought to auction it off and split the cash."

"Yeah, sell it and split the proceeds."

In a flash, Reed's funeral had turned into a scene of greed and division.

Clara kept her head bowed, silent amidst the chaos, her mind filled with images of Grandpa Reed in his suit. She was wracked with guilt. If only she hadn't taken Reed away that day, maybe he'd still be alive. The cacophony of insults and reproaches seemed to encase Clara in a cocoon of misery.

Just then, lan stepped forward, pulling a document from his pocket and presenting it to the clamorous crowd. "Grandpa Reed knew you lot would pull a stunt like this, so he donated the heirloom to the National Museum six months ago. This is the proof."

Clara's aunt snatched the certificate, her eyes scanning the photo of the heirloom. There was Reed's signature and the museum's seal. Tears, which had been stubbornly absent until then, suddenly cascaded down her cheeks.

"The old man played us for fools! He'd donated it already and never breathed a word. He wanted us all fawning over him to the very end. And now, all our efforts have been for nothing."

The revelation left everyone seething with anger. They had agreed to share the funeral expenses, but in the end, Casey and Clara shouldered the costs. Even at the burial, several of Reed's grandchildren were conspicuously absent.

Clara stood by Reed's grave, her composure like a statue as if she had cried all her tears in the days before.

lan, standing beside her, put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Clara, let's head back home. We can come visit Grandpa Reed again in a few days," he said softly.

Clara looked up, her eyes red and swollen. "Has Leonora been found?"

lan's expression darkened. "Yes, she's been found. My father has her locked up at home."

"Take me to her."

They drove straight to the Hayes family estate.

Seeing Clara's pallid face, Rose took her hand with a gentle concern. "Clara, don't be too hard on yourself. Look after your health."

Clara's voice was hoarse. "Grandma Rose, I'm alright. I need to see Leonora."

Rose felt a pang of sorrow. She knew that lan's marriage prospects would be in jeopardy unless Leonora was dealt with properly. She immediately instructed the butler, "Bring that woman to me." Leonora was escorted to the living room. Seeing Clara, she rushed over, grabbed her arm, and watched her with a face full of feigned innocence. "Clara, I swear I didn't say anything. I was just talking to Reed about the dowry arrangements. He must've gotten too excited seeing the generous dowry the Hayes family offered you, and his blood pressure spiked. I really didn't do anything. You have to believe me." Clara shook off Leonora's grip, her gaze icy as she stared at her. "Reed was never a vain man. If he were, he wouldn't have donated a family treasure worth three hundred million to the National Museum. Aside from my father, Reed was the one who cherished me the most in this world. You must've told him something about me, something he couldn't accept, and that's what caused his stroke. I want to know what you said to him!"

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