No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 362

Hearing this, Teo's stride faltered, a momentary hitch in his otherwise confident gait. "Do you think I'm a notorious womanizer, too?" Teo furrowed his brows, concern etching his face. "Isn't that the truth? You and Leonora fight all the time. Isn't it usually about this very thing?"

Teo exhaled deeply, his breath laden with unspoken troubles. "The reason Leonora and I argue... it's because ever since the kidnapping incident, I haven't been with her." "Why not? Have you found someone else?" lan asked, his curiosity piqued.

"No, it's because I've lost my ability to perform as a man. I've seen countless doctors and undergone endless tests, and all reports come back stating I'm perfectly healthy. Yet nothing works.

"I thought maybe my interest in Leonora had waned, so I sought company elsewhere but soon realized I had no interest in any of them.

"Everyone assumes I'm out there playing the field, but the truth is I haven't touched anyone. Instead, I feel a deep repulsion. My therapist says it's a psychological issue, but years of treatment have done little. I've given up hope."

This was the first time lan truly confronted the reality of his father's struggles. He had grown up with the belief that his parents' quarrels stemmed from his father's infidelities. It was this belief that had made his family so forgiving toward Leonora all these years. Even Grandma Rose had thought her son had mistreated Leonora.

However, the truth was far different than lan had imagined.

Just then, lan's phone buzzed to life. Seeing Edwin's number, he immediately hit 'answer.' "Eddie, what's the situation?" lan asked urgently.

lan could hear the panic in Edwin's voice. "Ian, get back here now! The suspect's been cornered, but he's taken Clara hostage on the hotel rooftop. He's given you ten minutes to show up, or he's threatening to jump with her."

lan's heart seemed to stop, his blood turning to ice for a split second before he sprang into action. "Put him on the phone. I need to talk to him," lan commanded as he dashed out, his phone in hand. He floored the accelerator of his black Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which tore through the night like a bolt of lightning.

After several tense seconds, a chilling, sinister laugh came through the phone. "lan, you've got ten minutes. Any later, and you'll be collecting pieces of your woman."

The sounds of Clara's struggle were audible in the background, and lan gripped the steering wheel tighter, forcing himself to remain calm. "Don't lay a finger on her. Whatever you want, I'll agree to it," he said through gritted teeth.

The man laughed heartily. "What if I want to trade her for Hayes Corporation? Would you agree to that?"

Without hesitation, lan replied, "Yes, I would agree, but you must ensure her safety."

The man's scoff was cold. "I never thought the ruthless CEO of Hayes Corporation, who's known for his cold indifference, would hand over his empire for a woman. Fine, bring me the shares transfer paperwork. No delays."

Then, the call ended.

The man, holding a knife, gently traced Clara's pale face, his voice a dark murmur. "No wonder lan's willing to trade the empire built by the Hayes family for you. Your face is quite charming. What do you think, if I were to slice it up, would he lose his mind?" He mocked, mimicking a slashing motion across Clara's cheek.

Edwin, standing nearby, spoke up with a chilling steadiness, "If you so much as touch a hair on her head, I swear I'll tear you apart limb by limb."

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