No Strings Attached

Chapter 207

Ian faced Edwin’s tearful plea. There was a fleeting moment when Ian wanted to reveal the harsh truth,but his better judgment warned him that the situation was far more complex than it appeared.

Disclosing the truth to Edwin would inevitably expose Clara to his newfound affections. And that could endanger her.

Ian masked his concern and asked nonchalantly, “Have you talked about this with anyone else besides me?”

Edwin shook his head. “No one. I didn’t want to tip anyone off.”

“Good thinking. Keep all your emotions in check. Don’t let on that anything’s amiss. If your sister is still alive, the slightest slip-up could cost her life. You get that?”

“I do. I just can’t come to terms with the fact that the sister I adored for years is the product of my dad’s affair with another woman. Maybe her mother is even the one who had a hand in my mom’s death.”

The love Edwin had for Heidi was now replaced by a wrenching pain. The sister he cherished suddenly became the daughter of an enemy. The belief that his father loved his mother was shattered by the revelation of an affair. The happiness Edwin had amassed from childhood had turned into the very source of his agony.

Ian patted his shoulder and asked gravely, “Is it Cindy?”

“It’s not her. I’ve checked the DNA between her and Heidi. There’s no match.”

Cindy was Paolo’s current wife. If it wasn’t her, then who could it be?

A name flashed in Ian’s mind: Victoria. If Clara was truly the heiress of the Campbell family, Victoria was the prime suspect.

The Bell family, over two decades ago, was affluent but not in the league of dynasties. It wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility that Victoria had switched babies to secure her daughter’s future.

With this thought, Ian messaged Dawson, instructing him to compare Victoria’s and Heidi’s DNA.

Just then, Chase’s call came through. His voice bubbled with excitement, “Ian, you’re missing out on a wedding. If you don’t show soon, you’ll miss the show.”

The groom was part of their social circle, but Ian usually avoided such events. “I’m not that free,” he responded coolly, about to end the call.

However, Chase’s mischievous laughter stopped him. “Aren’t you curious about Clara’s recent streak of luck with men?”

“What did you say?” Ian’s heart skipped at the mention of Clara.

Chase teased, “You got rid of Anders and opened a race club for Ryker, thinking you’ve chased away all the men around Clara. But guess what? There’s a new guy, even more impressive than the other two. Seems like Clara’s love life is blooming, huh?”

After saying that, he sent Ian a live video feed.

Ian felt his composure slip away. Clara, as a bridesmaid, was performing a duet with the best man for the newlyweds. The man stared at her with a gaze full of deep affection and longing. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Being a man himself, Ian knew what that look meant. From such a brief clip, he could tell this guy had designs on Clara.

He stood up abruptly and ordered coldly, “Keep an eye on him. I’m on my way.”

...

Clara and the best man had just finished a heartfelt rendition of “The Roof”, a song she adored for its romantic lyrics.

As the song ended, the room erupted in applause. The best man, ever the gentleman, offered his hand to escort Clara off the stage.