No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 339

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Edwin couldn't help but let out a sigh. It seemed that convincing Clara to embrace her roots wouldn't be a walk in the park. And given the shady things Paolo had done for Heidi, it was a good bet that Clara wouldn't want anything to do with him once she learned the truth.

Just then, Edwin's phone rang with a call from his father. He pressed the answer button, and the irritation was clear in his gesture.

Paolo's voice, hoarse with sorrow, came through immediately. "Eddie, Heidi's been sentenced to ten years," his father lamented. "She'll rot in jail for a decade. By the time she gets out, she'll be broken, a shadow of herself. You've got to find a way to get her out. She's your half-sister, for crying out loud."

Paolo began to play the emotional card, but Edwin wasn't buying it. "So, you orchestrated harm to Casey just to clear Heidi's name?" he asked with a cold laugh.

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds before Paolo replied, "Clara brought it on herself. Why did she have to be so stubborn? If she hadn't been so hellbent on the lawsuit, even after hearing her dad was critically ill, Heidi would've walked free. What kind of heartless creature is she?"

"Paolo!" For the first time, Edwin spoke with utter disrespect. His fingers clenched around the phone, his voice icy. "You have no right to speak about her like that! Heidi's sentence is deserved, and you shouldn't blame Clara for it. You'll pay dearly for your actions."

Paolo scoffed, "You think I'm scared of her? She's just a small-time lawyer. With lan looking after her, I can't touch her, but the day lan drops her, I'll handle her easily."

Edwin closed his eyes, feeling drained upon hearing these words. How his mother ever fell for a man like his father was beyond him. He bit his lip in frustration and said, "If you lay a finger on Clara again, that's it - we're done as father and son. Just wait and see if you don't believe me!"

After saying that, he hung up the phone. His eyes, red with rage, rested on Clara. Because of his father, his mother had died in a car accident, and his sister had been adopted by the Bell family.

A life that should have been filled with happiness had been marred by twenty years of depression due to Victoria's influence. And now, because of Heidi, Clara had been hurt time and again. Her life, which should have been carefree, was now fraught with dangers because of the Campbell family.

Edwin felt a pang in his heart. He slowly opened the door to the hospital room and approached Clara. His voice was hoarse. "Clara, Casey's out of immediate danger. Please, have something to eat." Clara looked up at the sound of his voice. Her eyes met Edwin's dark and troubled gaze. She frowned slightly, perplexed. "Edwin, we're not close. Isn't it a bit odd to be so informal?"

Edwin's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Sorry, I'm just looking after you on lan's behalf. Please, don't push me away."

"lan asked you to look after me?" Clara said, incredulous. Had lan lost his mind? Why on earth would he send Heidi's brother to look after her?

Edwin nodded emphatically. "Yes, he asked me to protect you."

Clara's expression turned cold. "I'm sorry, but I don't need your protection. I'm wary enough of the Campbell family as it is. How could I possibly let you protect me? lan might be your friend, but I have nothing to do with you, Edwin. Please, leave."

Clara was so cold towards him, and Edwin felt a sharp pain in his heart. He stared into Clara's eyes. "Clara, you have a striking resemblance to my mother. Doesn't that count for something?"

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