No Strings Attached

lan scrutinized the report several times. His gaze lingered on the last line. "Confirmed as a parental relationship." He was Katherine's child, not Leonora's.

A sharp pain pierced his heart, and his eyes welled up. He wrapped Clara in his arms, and his voice choked with emotion. "Clara, I'm not Leonora's son. My mom is Katherine. Our matricidal feud no longer exists."

Hearing this, Clara felt a pang of sympathy. She knew that although she had forgiven lan and no longer blamed him for May's death, deep down, he always felt guilty.

Clara gently stroked lan's head, her voice tender. "Now that the truth is out, you no longer have to feel guilty about this. We must rescue Katherine. She has suffered so much over the years; we can't let her face danger anymore."

lan nodded vehemently. "I know, Clara. Thank you."

"What do we do next?"

"I need to go to the company and continue my battle with Brodie, but I'm bound to lose. The rules of the Hayes family must not be broken. Only then can Connor believe that we haven't discovered the secret between Leonora and Katherine."

"Alright, go ahead and be careful."

A few days later, a significant change occurred at Hayes Corporation. It was revealed that the former CEO, lan, was the illegitimate son of the Hayes family, and the CEO position had been handed over to the rightful heir, Brodie.

This news went viral. Everyone felt sorry for Clara's fate. Just when she finally got together with lan, it was revealed that he was an illegitimate child.

Her status plummeted. Even the businesses of the York and Campbell families suffered a significant blow.

To undermine lan's influence, several foreign conglomerate groups began to encircle the businesses of the York and Campbell families.

Within less than half a month, both families saw a one-third reduction in their market value. If this continued, they would face an even greater crisis.

Teo called lan to the family estate, his tone serious and concerned. "The York and Campbell families are suffering because of us. Do you have anything to say?"

lan's eyes immediately met his. His

voice sounded tired. "I know what

you're trying to say, but I won't agree. I won't separate from Clara

Come so far, cleared my

names of matricide, and we've made it through such difficult paths. We can make it through this, too."

He couldn't help but take out a cigarette from his pocket and take several deep drags.

In the past half-month, his power had been more than halved. Even Teo's overseas business was significantly affected.

To make lan completely powerless, Connor began to target Clara's family. The goal was to put lan between a rock and a hard place.

Teo looked at him with sympathy. "I

don't want you and Clara to part ways either, but don't you think this is the best way to protect her and the child? Our battle with Connor isn't going to end in a day or two, Your mother and grandfather are in their hands, and we can't act rashly, which makes us very passive. If we continue this battle, Clara and the child might inadvertently get involved. If you two separate now, it's the best time. I will discuss this with James and have him take Clara away under the pretext that your influence is waning. This is the best arrangement for her and the safest."

Hearing this, lan's eyes instantly reddened. "Dad, I've thought about this, but the thought of them leaving me causes me so much pain. I'm afraid won't be able to live without them, and I'm afraid Clara won't be able to bear it. She loves me so much and looks forward to our child's birth. Separating now would be a huge blow to her."