No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 334

Upon hearing those words, Clara spun around, her gaze steady and fearless. Her voice was a chill breeze as she said, "Well, Mr. Paolo, that remains to be seen if you've got what it takes." After saying that, she pivoted on her heel and ascended the staircase.

Paolo gritted his teeth in frustration, about to retort when lan's low chuckle filled the space. "Sorry, Paolo, my dear Clara has been utterly spoiled by me. It's my fault she's so informal with you. But I have to say she's spot on you really don't have what it takes."

lan leaned casually against the doorframe, with his hands buried in his overcoat pockets. The shadow of a smirk played on his lips. His eyes flashed a clear warning: "Touch her and you'll see."

Paolo clenched his fists, too angry to utter another word of disrespect. Instead, he turned to lan. "Didn't she dump you? And yet here you are, defending her. Don't forget, because of her, your mother endured a hundred lashes."

lan's gaze was icy as he replied, "Which is exactly why you should know better, Paolo. Anyone who has harmed Clara is on my blacklist, even if it's my own mother."

"lan, you're bewitched by that bitch. You don't even care about your mom! What's so great about her? She's from a lowly background, with such a scandalous mother. Aren't you afraid of being the family's laughingstock if you bring her home?"

Casey, who'd been quietly sipping tea on the couch, could take no more. He grabbed the nearest broom and swung it at Paolo. "Who are you calling a bitch? You blind-hearted scumbag. You and your venomous daughter are a match made in hell. Get out! You're not welcome here!"

For the first time, the usually composed Casey was visibly furious, even resorting to violence. He wished he could knock some sense into Paolo with that broom. If Clara ever found out this man was her biological father, it would break her heart.

Paolo was chased out of the Bell family's grand entrance. His expensive cashmere coat was soiled by the broom. He brushed off the dirt with disgust, glaring at the door as he bit down hard on his lip. Pulling out his cell phone, he made a call to Leonora. "Looks like your son's cozying up to Clara again. You took your punishment for nothing."

Leonora, still nursing her injuries, winced with pain. "Don't worry. I won't let Clara win," she hissed through clenched teeth. "How's Heidi? She can't stay in jail for long."

Paolo's voice seethed with barely suppressed fury. "At this point, I can only hire a lawyer to get Heidi out."

After hanging up, he drove away.

Casey, still seething, tossed the broom aside and fixed lan with a serious look. "I hoped to one day reveal the truth to Clara, but with a deadbeat dad like Paolo, I'll be damned if I let her suffer his disgrace. She'll always be the apple of my eye."

The more he spoke, the more emotional he became. His eyes reddened. His daughter was so beautiful and kind; why did her past have to be so fraught?

In the Bell family, she had endured insult due to her mother's reputation.

He had thought that as the daughter of the Campbell family, May's daughter, once Clara returned to the Campbell family, they would dote on her as he did.

He never expected Paolo, after knowing full well Heidi wasn't May's child, would still show her such favoritism. If Clara was to acknowledge her lineage, Paolo's favoritism would surely be her undoing.

lan patted Casey's arm reassuringly. "Clara has only ever known you as her father. She's in the early stages of pregnancy and can't handle the stress. Let's keep her lineage a secret for now." Casey nodded in agreement. "I understand. I'll protect Clara and her unborn child, no matter what."

Days later, Heidi's trial commenced.

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