No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 217

Clara watched Ian, drenched in blood, her face a canvas of tears—or was it the water from earlier?

Just then, her bodyguard, who had been secretly protecting her all along, appeared on the scene. They rushed Ian to the hospital.

Thirty minutes later, Ian was whisked into the emergency room for urgent care.

Clara stood soaked in the hospital corridor, shivering. Dawson promptly offered comfort, “Attorney Clara, you've got a nasty cut on your back. You should get that seen to immediately, or it could get much worse.”

Clara shook her head vehemently. “No, I'm staying right here until he's out.”

“Attorney Clara, even in his critical state, Mr. Hayes took care of your wound first. He wouldn't want you to suffer. If you don't get treated now and miss the window for the best care, wouldn't you be letting down Mr. Hayes' good intentions?”

Dawson truly was a top-notch assistant, always in tune with Ian's wishes.

Without further struggle, Clara followed the doctor to the treatment room. By the time her wounds were attended to, Ian's surgery was complete.

She watched him lying on the hospital bed, pale and unconscious, her usually icy heart trembling. She sat by Ian's bedside, tears streaming down her face.

If Ian hadn't shown up today, she might have been disfigured, or worse, lost her life. Mulling over this, Clara's sorrowful gaze turned steely.

Clara couldn't help but scoff internally. In the dead of night, none of the Hayes family knew of the incident, yet Heidi was well-informed. A flicker of suspicion crossed Clara's eyes.

As Heidi wept, she noticed Clara standing at the doorway. Wiping away her tears, she accused, “Clara, Ian was injured trying to save you. Can't you be a little kinder to him? Last time, he got seven stitches for you, and this time, he nearly lost his life. He's risking everything for you. Don't you feel anything?”

Clara let out a soft chuckle, “Oh, I'm touched. But I'm not as naïve as you, Ms. Heidi, believing that saving a life means I owe him mine. What era are we living in where people still use that to guilt someone? I'm not that shameless. Don't you agree, Ms. Heidi?”

Heidi could not miss the insult, her face turning pale with anger. Biting her lip, she played the victim. “I never forced Ian, nor did I stop him from pursuing you. I just wanted to be like his little sister. Is that too much to ask?”

Clara laughed mockingly, “Blackmailing someone with your own life just to be his sister? Are you missing a brotherly figure that badly, Ms. Heidi? Not even a fool would buy that story!”