No Strings Attached

Chapter 230

His icy fingertips brushed the corner of Clara's eyes, the smile on his face not quite reaching his eyes.

“I doubt she has the skills to juggle that many men for Heidi. Maybe you should investigate what your daughter was really up to abroad all these years?”

That remark left Paolo speechless. Heidi had been alone overseas, at most accompanied by a nanny to look after her daily needs. Paolo, indeed, knew little about her private life.

Still, he had raised her since she was a child and was confident in her character. He was certain his daughter would never stoop to such lows.

After hanging up, Ian’s demeanor changed from stern to tender the second he looked at Clara. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his voice dripping with affection. “Clara, don’t worry, I won’t let Paolo touch what belongs to your dad.”

Clara’s eyes widened in disbelief. “And who exactly are you calling 'father-in-law?'”

“Your dad, of course. Who else would it be?” He stated it matter-of-factly, his expression unchanging. It was as if they were already a loving couple.

Clara's facial muscles twitched involuntarily, and she reached up to feel Ian's forehead. “No fever, so why the delirium? You can’t just claim someone’s dad as your father-in-law. Rest assured, my father will never be your father-in-law.” Then, she turned and headed to the kitchen.

Ian wasn’t discouraged. If anything, he was even more determined. He followed Clara and asked, “Did you dig up that dirt on Heidi?”

Clara scoffed at him. “Anyone can find out if they want to. You just couldn’t bear to.” In other words, he had trusted Heidi too much. He never suspected her of anything, so he never bothered to check

her background.

Ian leaned against the doorframe, watching Clara cook in her apron, a warm feeling suddenly coursing through him. He took out his phone and snapped a picture of Clara’s silhouette, sharing it on his social media with a caption. [Turns out happiness is this simple.]

Greta, vacationing abroad, leaped off the couch when she saw it. “Grandma Rose, come quick! Your grandson has finally posted something after ages. It's a picture of Clara and some cheesy line!”

Rose was about to head to bed but turned back immediately upon hearing this. “Let me see that.”

She took the phone, smiling and squinting as she looked at it several times, even leaving a like. “It seems our family trip worked out quite well. They’re living together now. I want a great-grandchild to play with soon!”

“Don’t get your hopes up. I heard Clara hasn’t quite come around yet. She’s about to meet Brodie’s parents.”

“They’re living together. If Ian can’t seal the deal, he’s no Hayes!”

Rose put on her reading glasses and left a comment. [If you can’t win Clara over, don’t call me Grandma Rose!]

Ian hardly ever posted on social media. He usually shared company news or pictures of Snow. Now he had a post featuring a beautiful woman cooking, he set off a frenzy among his contacts.

In less than ten minutes, the likes soared past a hundred, and there were plenty of congratulatory comments.

[Mr. Hayes, looks like congratulations are in order. Can’t wait for your wedding.]

[Mr. Hayes is so lucky to have someone cooking for him. Us singles can only dream.]

[Look at you, strutting around. Northbridge can barely contain your ego now.]

Reading these comments, Ian felt happiness seeping into his very being. Just as he was basking in the moment, Clara’s phone rang.

She was cooking and hit the speakerphone without hesitation. Brodie’s voice, smooth as silk, came through. “Clara, my mother will be in Northbridge tomorrow and would like to meet you. Are you available?”NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.