No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)

Chapter 14

lan stood at the doorway, a chill emanating from his frame. His dark hazel eyes were fixed intently on the large hand resting atop Clara's head.

Without waiting for any reaction from the duo, his long legs carried him swiftly toward Clara. He snatched the spoon from her hand, bent down, scooped her up from the chair, and strode hurriedly into the bedroom. With a resounding 'bang,' he locked the door behind them.

By the time Clara came to her senses, she was pinned under lan on the bed. Anders' frantic knocking echoed from the other side of the door.

lan's icy presence was so intense it made Clara's lips tremble. "lan, have you lost your mind?!"

His eyes, tinged with a hint of crimson fury, bore into her as his voice came out hoarse. "I can get even crazier!" With that, he captured her lips with his own.

His mind was clouded with the image of that man staring at Clara with adoration. Never before had he felt such an overwhelming loss of reason for a woman. He devoured her lips with a wild hunger, trailing kisses down her alabaster neck.

As she struggled, Clara cursed, "lan, you bastard! It's over between us. Don't make me lose all respect for you!"

lan didn't relent. Instead, his kisses grew more fervent. He bit down on Clara's chest, his voice muffled, "Found yourself a new beau so quickly?"

"We're done. Who I'm with is none of your business!"

"Is that so? What if I make him disappear from the legal world? Still none of your business?"

"lan, you wouldn't dare!"

"He tries to touch what's mine. You think I wouldn't?"

"He's just a friend to me, nothing more. Don't go after him."

Clara knew lan's methods were ruthless. Anyone who crossed him never got off easy. Anders had just returned from abroad, his footing unsure. One move from lan could ruin his career. Seeing her anxious expression, lan's lips curled into a cold sneer. "Come back with me, or I can't promise his safety."

Just then, the bedroom door burst open with a forceful kick. Anders didn't wait for Clara to react. He dashed into the room and lunged at lan. Soon, the sound of shattering and crashing filled the space. Clara's screams sounded brittle and powerless.

After what seemed like an eternity, silence reclaimed the room. Anders emerged, disheveled and bloodstained, from the bedroom. He squatted down, staring at Clara with a pained tenderness. "Clara, I won't be the reason you bow to others. Get up. It's time to eat."

He reached out a strong hand, helping the trembling Clara to her feet, and guided her to the dining chair.

Tears brimming in her eyes, Clara looked at him. "I'm sorry, Anders."

"Don't apologize to me. We're friends, Clara. It's my duty to protect you. The soup has gone cold. I'll warm it up for you." He took the now-cold bowl and headed for the kitchen.

That was when lan also emerged from the bedroom. Though not as bedraggled as Anders, his face bore marks of the fray. Hw wiped his lip, his gaze dark as he looked at Clara. "Come with me, or stay and sip his soup. It's your choice."

Clara met his gaze with icy resolve, "It's over. I'm not going back with you."

"Clara, remember, this was your choice. Don't regret this."

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14:07

Chapter 14

He turned to leave, and at that moment, his phone rang. It was Heidi. With impatience, lan answered.

"lan, the footage from the break room has been wiped by Clara. My folks are livid. They want to charge her with aggravated assault. You need to come and talk some sense into them, or Clara's going to jail." lan's stern features fixed on Clara, and without a hint of hesitation, he said, "Then let her go."

Chapter 15