No Strings Attached

Chapter 43

To confirm Clara’s culpability, Leonora made their way to the security office, with lan in Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

tow,

Heidi, her face hidden behind a mask, followed closely behind.

She watched the surveillance footage with a scowl so deep it seemed her teeth might shatter from the force of her anger. She was hell–bent on seeing Clara ousted from here

this time.

The group sat in the security room, their eyes glued to the screen as they watched the playback. At the crucial moment, lan instructed the technician to slow down the footage. But even after several reviews, there was no sign of Clara at the timestamp when Heidi had been in the restroom.

Heidi, staring at the screen in disbelief, exclaimed, “It can’t be. The footage must’ve been tampered with by Clara. She went in before me. How could this happen?”

lan, his face the picture of authority, turned to the security staff, “Did Clara ask any of you to interfere with the video?”

The staff shook their heads in unison, “Mr. Hayes, per your orders, no one can access the footage without your written consent, not even Ms. Clara.”

Hearing this, lan shot Heidi a frosty look, “Heard that? What else do you have to say?”

“lan, I’m not making this up, Clara must have-

lan didn’t wait for her to finish and walked off.

Heidi felt like she’d swallowed a bitter pill. She clenched her teeth in frustration. She had been so sure of her victory, only to have Clara turn the tables on her.

As lan’s indifferent figure retreated, Heidi balled her fists in silent fury.

Meanwhile, Clara took Rose to the lounge, handing the elderly woman a cup of steaming. tea with a look of earnest sincerity. “Madam, it was me who hit Heidi.”

Rose chuckled as she looked at Clara, “I know.”

“Then why are you helping me?”

“I’m not helping you, dear. I’m helping that jerk chase his girl.”

Clara’s smile was tinged with bitterness, “I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you.” Ever since lan had repeatedly left her for Heidi, Clara knew that whatever fate she had with lan had run its

course.

Rose patted her head with a smile, “Let’s make a bet. I bet one day you’ll be my granddaughter–in– law. If I win, you owe me a chubby great–grandson. How about that?”

11:13

The mention of a child sent a sharp pain through Clara’s heart.

Not only were her chances with lan slim, but the prospect of fulfilling Rose’s wish for a great– grandson seemed even more distant.

Clara’s eyes reddened as she managed a weak smile at Rose. “Madam, you’re going to lose.

“I won’t. I’ve never lost a bet in my life.”

Rose’s confidence was unwavering.

After seeing Rose off, Clara threw herself into her work, not finishing until seven in the evening. Just as she was about to grab her things and leave, her phone rang with a call from Anders. She answered immediately.

“Anders.”

His voice was gentle, “Clara, Suite 808 at the Grand Mansion Hotel. Marco’s here, and he wants to see you.”

“I’ll be there in about half an hour.”

It had been three years since she’d last seen Marco, and a mix of excitement and guilt stirred in her heart.

As she pushed open the suite door, the sight that greeted her was Marco’s gray hair. She froze, taken aback. Three years had changed Marco more than she could have imagined. A pang of remorse hit her–out of pride, she had avoided seeing Marco for all this time. Marco, noticing her surprise, waved her over, “Silly girl, don’t you recognize me after three years?”

With her eyes brimming and her voice choked with emotion, Clara rushed to Marco’s side. Kneeling beside him, she managed to say, “Marco, how did you end up like this?”