No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Victoria shuffled slightly away from the edge, a macabre grin spreading across her face. "Hand over the rest of the money, or I'll jump. But before I do, I'll blast this whole story online. I'll let everyone know how lan fired me out of the blue just to keep me away from his little sweetheart. I'll say I leaped off this building because I lost my job and couldn't cope. Clara, you tell me, with the Hayes Corporation celebrating tonight, wouldn't a scandal like this tarnish lan's reputation? If you don't want that to happen, then be a good girl and get the money ready for me. If not, you'll have to live with the consequences."

As she spoke, she showed Clara the draft of her tell-all post, filled with gut-wrenching details. Clara knew that once the media got hold of this, it would get blown way out of proportion. With the Hayes Corporation's anniversary celebration underway, the Hayes' extended family was already eyeing lan like hungry wolves. A mishap on such a critical day could deal a massive blow to him.

Clara wouldn't allow this to happen, but her heart ached immensely. She never imagined her mother to be so heartless, pushing her to the brink of life and death.

Clara knew Victoria wouldn't actually jump and was just playing for sympathy. Nevertheless, lan had been the man Clara loved for seven years. She didn't want her own issues to jeopardize the CEO position he had worked so hard to secure.

Clara tried to calm herself, but her trembling voice betrayed her panic. "Please, come down. I'll give you whatever amount you want. Just get down from there."

Victoria, unswayed by Clara's pleading and seemingly thrilled by it, taunted her. "Who would have thought, you're quite the romantic and deeply in love with him. This makes things easy. Give me the money, and I'll come down. I won't ruin tonight's gala. If your don't do as I say, my story will be the centerpiece of the Hayes Corporation's anniversary." Clara glared at her, fury in her eyes, on the verge of breaking down. "Please, I'm begging you, come down first, and I'll get your money."

Victoria sneered, "I don't believe you. If you don't have the cash, give me that necklace around your neck. It should fetch a pretty penny."

Hearing this, Clara immediately clutched at the necklace. It was a gift from lan during his last trip abroad and was reportedly quite valuable. She couldn't possibly give it up.

Feeling an overwhelming headache, Clara's vision began to blur. An instinctive thought told her that if Victoria jumped, it would all be over. It was the same feeling of utter despair she had experienced seven years ago on the rooftop of a sanatorium.

But there was another voice in her head calling out, "Give me your hand. I'll take you away from here."

Clara, gathering what little strength she had left, looked at Victoria. "Didn't I give you a

cord last time? I'll transfer the money right now. Just come down first."

Victoria knew Clara was stalling and moved even closer to the edge, threatening her, "I don't want the money anymore. I've got my eyes on that necklace. Take it off and give it to me, or I'll send this post right now and expose how lan mistreats his lower-level employees." As Victoria spoke, her finger hovered over the 'send' button.

"Don't send it. The necklace is yours. Just delete the post," Clara said, hastily removing the necklace and handing it over.

Victoria's eyes lit up as she snatched the glittering chain from Clara's hands, holding it up to the light. “Nice stone, should get a good price for this. And to ensure you don't call the cops, throw your phone down, and then I'll come down."

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