No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 444

The sound reverberated through the room, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.

Paolo was there. His thigh was braced in a splint, and he was seated in a wheelchair. His hair had turned much whiter, and lines seemed to have etched deeper into his face. His eyes, filled with guilt and remorse, sought out Clara.

Edwin was the first to block his path. "Clara doesn't need a father like you. Why don't you go back and dote on your illegitimate child?"

Paolo didn't flare up at his son's harsh words. Instead, he pleaded softly, "I just want to see Clara. It doesn't matter if she accepts me or not."

"You're here to see if she's alive or dead, is that it? Clara have suffered so much all because of Heidi's madness. If Clara hadn't been smart this time around, she and her child would probably be shark bait by now."

"Eddie, I realize my mistakes. I never imagined Heidi would do such a thing. I've hurt Clara. Just let me see her, to say I'm sorry. That's all I ask."

As they argued, Clara's cool voice cut through from behind. "There's no need. We have nothing to discuss. And Mr. Paolo, please remember, Casey is the only father I acknowledge."

Paolo's gaze lingered on her face - so composed and proud, the spitting image of May. He looked at her remorsefully. "Clara, I'm sorry. I'll give you all my fortune as your wdding gift if only you'll stop hating me. Please, give me a chance to atone."

Hearing this, lan pulled Clara into his embrace with a protective air. "Paolo, if Clara had been killed by Heidi's fire, do you think any dowry could bring her back? She was tied up and beaten by Heidi on that ship, nearly burned alive. Do you think a simple apology can erase it all? If you hadn't colluded, Heidi would never have escaped prison, and Clara wouldn't have been hurt so badly, almost losing her child. There's a debt to be paid for these wrongs, and we won't let them go lightly, no matter who the person is."

Paolo, with tears streaming down his face, grasped lan's hand. "Ian, I've watched you grow up. Don't be so heartless. Your father-in-law and your dad have already beaten me. Isn't that punishment enough?" lan's response was a cold laugh. "When you joined forces with the four major families to attack the Hayes family, where was your compassion then? If it weren't for Eddie's sake, do you think you'd still have the chance to stand here and talk?"

At that moment, two police officers approached. They presented Paolo with an arrest warrant. "Paolo, you are under suspicion of business collusion and conspiracy to escape prison. You'll need to come with us."

Paolo couldn't believe how ruthless lan was being. He looked at him in disbelief. "Ian, I'm Clara's father, your father-in-law. Is this how you treat me?"

"My father-in-law is Casey, never you, and it will never be."

After saying that, lan signaled the officers with a nod and said firmly, "Take him away."

As Paolo was led out, the room returned to a semblance of peace. Ian patted Edwin on the shoulder. His expression was stern. "He hurt Clara. I couldn't just stand by. I'm sorry."

Edwin shook his head. "I don't blame you. He's getting what he deserves."

Holding Clara's hand, lan walked out of Marian's hospital room, passing by Heidi's room just as a young nurse rushed up to him. "Mr. Hayes, Heidi is refusing treatment. She won't eat or drink. She's trying to kill herself."

lan paused, casting a glance inside the room. For the first time since the incident, he laid eyes on Heidi.

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