No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 295

She couldn't bear to gamble with the lives of her loved ones anymore.

Oh, how Clara yearned to wrap her arms around lan, but her hands, dangling helplessly by her sides, clenched into powerless fists instead. Her voice was laced with a helpless rasp as she said, "lan, let's just take a breather, okay? My dad's health isn't great, and I need to go check on him."

Heedless of her protest, lan kissed the top of her head, his voice deep and soothing, "I'll take you home."

As he took Clara's hand to leave, his gaze inadvertently fell upon Leonora. His eyes, which had been filled with warmth just moments before, now seemed coated in a layer of frost. "Clara and I will never be torn apart in this life. If you dare to interfere again, I'll sever all maternal ties with you!"

Watching the two of them walk away, Rose sighed in resignation. "What should've been a celebration has turned into a wake. What sins have our family committed to deserve this?"

Teo immediately stepped forward to console her. "Mom, don't worry. I'll make sure they stay together. As for Leonora, I'll have someone keep an eye on her. She won't get another chance to wrong Clara." Rose's eyes brimmed with tears. "We owe Leonora our lives-twice over. Why should Clara have to pay that debt? Do you have any idea how much it hurts to see them at odds like this?" Leonora's mother had saved her son, and then Leonora herself had saved her. Because of those two lives, the Hayes family had refrained from dealing with Leonora's malevolence and venom. But why did it all have to be repaid with her grandson's happiness? She would have rather Leonora never saved her at all.

Rose, resolute in her pain, fixed Leonora with a steely gaze. "This affair has caused harm, and I won't let it go. As a daughter-in-law of the Hayes family, you've shown neither virtue nor sincerity, and you've schemed to block your own child's happiness. If I let you get away with this, our ancestors would never forgive me. If the law won't punish you, then our family will. Butler, bring the riding crop. According to our rules, anyone who causes harm with malicious intent shall receive a hundred lashes."

At these words, Leonora fell to her knees in terror, pleading for mercy. "It wasn't on purpose. That old man was already on his way out. You can't pin it all on me. Besides, I spoke only the truth without fabrication. You can't punish me like this. It's not fair."

Rose snorted coldly, "Fair or not, my word is the law in this house. I've been too lenient in the past, which has led to this mess. If you no longer wish to be part of the Hayes family, I might consider sparing you." Leonora knew exactly what Rose was implying. Rose wanted to use this situation to force Leonora into asking for a divorce.

But how could she? Her ambitions were far from fulfilled; she couldn't just walk away from the Hayes family. She gritted her teeth and said through clenched jaws, "I accept the punishment."

The crop was an heirloom left by their ancestors. When it struck flesh, it would tear skin and flesh alike. A hundred lashes could leave someone half dead, if not fully. Soon, the great hall echoed with the crack of the whip and Leonora's agonized screams.

Meanwhile, lan had escorted Clara to her front door. Just as he was about to follow her inside, she stopped him. "This is as far as you go. You should head back."

"But you said your dad's heart isn't doing well. I'll just take a quick look and leave."

Clara's heart ached unbearably. She just couldn't bring herself to harden her heart against him.

As they stepped into the hall, Clara caught the scent of her beloved braised pork ribs. She was about to say something when suddenly her stomach churned violently. Unable to hold it in, she gagged and bolted towards the bathroom.

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