No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 471

Leonora was a piece of work, but Robert was even more so.

Edwin clenched his fist slightly before continuing his inquiry. "Where's Robert now?"

"He's in the basement of the beauty salon that Leonora frequents. That place is the production base for the aphrodisiacs Clara was taking. I was an employee there, and Robert was the boss. I've seen them meet there before. This whole operation was Robert's idea. He promised me a ticket out of the country and a reunion with my son once it was all over."

Edwin's eyes darkened upon hearing this.

At first, when the investigation into the love potions began, it was believed to be a product of the foreign black market, something that would be easy to trace to a buyer. But after much ado, it was discovered that the drugs had quietly become popular domestically.

The source of the drugs was right here, under their noses.

Edwin's long fingers pushed up his glasses as he spoke in a cold, measured tone. "Knowing the risks and the number of people involved, you had to know that attacking Clara would make escape impossible. How did they plan to get you out?"

Nicole winced from the pain of her wound before replying, "Robert said that once you caught me, given Mr. Hayes' temperament, you wouldn't hand me over to the police. He was sure I'd be locked up here in this basement. He claimed to know the place well and had a plan to rescue me."

Edwin couldn't help but smirk at the notion. No wonder Nicole had refused to confess at first. She was waiting for her rescue. The basement was part of the old Hayes family estate, and Robert, the former butler, would certainly know all its secrets.

With this in mind, a new level of ruthlessness flickered in Edwin's eyes. It looked like he'd have to play along and put on a little show.

He stood up, turned to his bodyguard, and instructed, "Spread the word that this lady is tough as nails. She's beaten half to death and hasn't uttered a word. Now she's unconscious and needs a doctor." The bodyguard immediately replied, "Yes, sir."

Then, Edwin took a small pill from his pocket and popped it into Nicole's mouth. In less than a minute, Nicole was out cold like the dead.

Only two guards were left in the basement. The rest withdrew. They waited in the shadows for the big fish to take the bait.

Edwin drove straight to the hospital. He shared everything that had happened with lan. Upon hearing the details, lan suddenly thought of someone.

At midnight, the Hayes family mansion was exceptionally quiet. Even the road outside saw few cars passing by.

Suddenly, a disheveled old scavenger with a limp made his way along the road toward the mansion. Clad in tattered clothes and carrying a grimy trash bag on his back, he hobbled to the entrance where the guards were stationed.

Just as one of the guards stepped forward to stop him, the old man waved something in front of his face, and in an instant, both guards collapsed.

The old man expertly punched in the gate code and made his way directly to the basement.

The two guards stationed at the basement door were dozing off in their chairs. He silently took them down with swift moves and opened the basement door. He immediately spotted Nicole bloodied and lying or the floor.

The old man quickly rushed to Nicole's side, checked her breathing to make sure she was alive and then hoisted her onto his back.

He was about to make his escape when lan and his men burst in from outside. They surrounded the old man.

A deep and chilling voice escaped lan's throat. "Ford, long time no see."

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