No Strings Attached

Chapter 54

Hearing those words, Eve sneered coldly, “You want to split and set up your own shop? Fine. Let Clara marry to Earl as his third wife. He’s taken a fancy to her. Otherwise, Jay’s going to lose an arm.”

Casey’s chest tightened with anger. How could he have such a biased mother? Jay was a member of the Bell family; was his daughter not equally so?

To settle the debts racked up by her grandson, Eve was actually scheming against Clara.

Casey pulled Clara behind him, with a coldness he’d never shown before. “Jay gambled and lost. Why should my daughter pay for his mistakes? Let him lose an arm. He deserves it. Besides, my daughter’s already spoken for, so save your breath and leave.”

Nancy, who had been propping up Eve and enjoying the spectacle, bristled at the slight against her son. “Casey, how can you speak like that? Is that any way for an uncle to behave? What’s wrong with marrying off your daughter to Earl? She’s been tossed aside by others already. The fact that the Earl doesn’t mind her past is a compliment. You don’t actually believe that lan will marry her, do you? With a mother like hers, she’ll never set foot in the Hayes family mansion. She’s just like her mother, both of them are good for nothing but trouble. It’s a miracle someone wants her at all, and here you are, being choosy.”

Nancy’s words were venomous, her face twisted with malice.

Clara, who had been holding back her emotions, finally exploded. She raised her arm and struck Nancy across the face. With a sharp ‘snap‘, the sound echoed through the hall.

“Aunt Nancy, consider that slap a lesson from Grandpa.”

Before Nancy could react, ‘snap‘, the other cheek was struck.

“And that one’s for me. Your son Jay tried to ruin me three years ago, and I’ve yet to settle

that score.”

Nancy, struck, lunged at Clara like a tigress, but Anders and Chase held her back.

Nancy started cursing wildly, “Clara, you really think you’re lan’s wife, huh? You think I wouldn’t dare hit you? I know all about you and lan. It’s all an act to make Casey feel better. Casey, think about it. If lan truly cared for your daughter, why wouldn’t he be here on such an important day like your discharge from the hospital? You’ve got some nerve, Clara. I’ll tear that lying mouth of yours!”

As Nancy struggled violently to break free and strike Clara, a chilling voice suddenly cut through the room. “Let’s see who dares to touch her.”

Everyone turned towards the entrance.

There stood lan, holding a gift box, looking dashing in a sharp suit, his features striking as

he stood in the doorway. He handed the gift box to the butler and strode towards Clara. He wrapped her in his arms, kissed her forehead softly, and murmured, “Sorry, I was held up.”

His gaze then shifted to Casey. “Mr. Casey, I’ve brought you a vintage ginseng. I hear it’s excellent for recovery. Give it a try, and if it works for you, I’ll get more.”

Everyone in the room knew the worth of vintage ginseng. It was a luxury few could afford. Yet lan was presenting it to Casey, a sign of his high regard.

Nancy, frightened, slipped behind Eve for cover.

Just then, lan’s ominous voice filled the hall. “Three years ago, Clara was cornered in an alley, lured there so I would come to her rescue. Who was the mastermind behind that?”