No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 360

Katherine was adorned in a light blue dress. The chandelier crashed down upon her, drenching the fabric in a harrowing shade of red. Blood trickled down the length of her body. Brodie, witnessing the horror, dashed to her side. Panic laced his voice, a tone he had never used before, "Mom, are you okay?"

Katherine winced in pain, her eyes fluttering shut. She curved her lips in relief after catching sight of Teo unharmed, She attempted to speak but succumbed to unconsciousness. Without hesitation, Brodie scooped up Katherine and bolted outside.

lan, quick to react, ordered Dawson, "Lock down the area, check the surveillance. We need to know who tampered with that chandelier."

"Right away, Mr. Hayes."

He then turned to Clara, his touch on her head offering a sliver of comfort. "Don't be scared. I'll check things out. I'll have Edwin and the others handle things here."

Clara, witnessing the bloodshed, felt tears sting her eyes. "Katherine can't be hurt. Her health's always been fragile."

"Don't worry, it's just a flesh wound. I'll make sure she gets the best doctor."

After planting a tender kiss on Clara's forehead, lan briefed Edwin and Chase, then hurried after Brodie.

Katherine arrived at the hospital and was whisked into surgery. Brodie, usually the epitome of calm, paced the corridor with a fiery gleam in his eyes.

What kind of feeling did his mother hold for Teo to risk her life with no memory of him? She had faced such betrayal and peril during her pregnancy over twenty years ago. She had narrowly escaped death by fire, and it left her mentally scattered.

Her tribulations sparkled a cold fury in Brodie's narrowed eyes, his fists clenched tight. He blamed his impatience for pushing for a reunion between his mother and Teo. If she hadn't come today, it wouldn't be her lying in that operating room.

Observing Brodie's pallid, anxious face, lan offered rare words of solace, "I've got the top surgeon on this. She'll be fine."

His words only seemed to agitate Brodie further, whose icy gaze was fixed on lan. "She's terrified of hospitals. The sight of doctors in white coats triggers her. Even the best surgeon won't make a difference." lan's brow furrowed at this revelation. Why did Katherine rush to her father's aid in such a critical moment? Was it an instinctive act of self-sacrifice?

Sensing the gravity of the situation, lan quickly responded, "I'll get a psychologist here now to work alongside the medical team."

"No need. I've already called one. They'll be here shortly."

As they spoke, Teo arrived in haste, his shirt barely shielding him from the cold, perspiration on his brow despite the chill. He approached lan with urgency, "How is she?" "She's in surgery, but her phobia of hospitals complicates things. A psychologist is on their way."

Teo's eyes faltered, his throat tightening with emotion. After a lengthy silence, he finally said, "She was hurt trying to save me. We will spare no expense for her care."

lan nodded, "I understand. What's the status of the banquet?"

"Some guests fled in terror, afraid to linger beneath the chandeliers. But Eddie and the others have managed to stabilize the situation. This was no accident. Someone's causing trouble deliberately."

lan's cool gaze narrowed slightly, "Heidi and Leonora wouldn't do this. Unless the big fish themselves are to blame. You and Casey were in the spotlight. No matter who the chandelier hit, it could spell trouble for Clara and me."

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