No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 323

Michael heared these words, and the anger surged even further. “May loved you so much, for Pete’s sake. She left everything behind in Riddleton just to be with you in Northbridge. But you? For a fling, you got her killed, and now my granddaughter is missing without a trace. Paolo, how can May rest in peace knowing this?”

Paolo collapsed to his knees, blood from a gash on his forehead mixing with tears as they streamed down his cheeks.

“I’m so sorry. I swear I’ll find my daughter and get to the bottom of May’s death.”

James kicked him in the belly, and his voice was tight with fury. “Paolo, if you don’t find that kid, you better be ready to grovel and apologize to May in hell.”

The kick sent Paolo sprawling backwards, spitting blood, until his lower back crashed into the coffee table. Ignoring the searing pain, he scrambled back to his knees.

Even if Edwin hated him, this was still his father. He approached Paolo, handing him a towel. His voice was grave. “Didn’t that woman have any distinctive features? What did she call herself when you were together?”

“She said her name was Mimi, a dancer at the Barna Nightclub. That’s all I know,” Paolo answered.

The Barna Nightclub had been the biggest hotspot some twenty years ago, now long shut down due to new regulations. Finding that woman would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

Heidi clung to Paolo’s arm, sobbing pitifully. Without the York family’s protection, without the brother’s affection, she could only rely on Paolo. “I’m so sorry, Dad. It’s all my fault you were kicked out by Grandpa. Don’t worry. I won’t be a burden to you any longer. I’ll leave on my own, find a place to hide away. It just means I’ll never see you again, and I’ll miss you terribly.” She collapsed into Paolo’s chest, her cries heart-wrenching.

While Paolo might despise that woman, he couldn’t bring himself to hate Heidi, the daughter he’d raised from infancy. She was innocent in his eyes. His large hand gently stroked her hair as he murmured reassurances, “Don’t cry. I won’t let you go. If the Yorks don’t want you, the Campbells won’t turn you away. You’re my daughter, Heidi, and you carry the Campbell blood. Even if we find that child, I won’t neglect you.”

When she heared this, a sinister glint flickered in Heidi’s tearful eyes.

To find that child? In his dreams!