No Strings Attached

Chapter 239

“For years, I have been bending over backward for Heidi. Even when Clara was in dire straits, I didn't go to her aid. Your acting skills were so on point, and it was a shame you were not going for an Oscar. You had me totally fooled!”

When the cat was out of the bag, Heidi, who moments ago was on the brink of death, sat up suddenly, tears streaming down her face as she shook her head. "Ian, I swear I knew nothing about this. This diagnosis of cervical cancer you're talking about—I'm clueless. Dad kept everything from me, probably afraid I couldn't handle the truth. Ian, for the sake of the genuine feelings you once had for me, please forgive my father." Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

Dawson couldn't hold back when he saw Heidi's crocodile tears. "Ms. Heidi, don't you find it odd that Ms. Ian was diagnosed as permanently blind and unable to walk after his car accident, yet he recovered in less than six months?"

At his words, Heidi's eyes widened in shock. "He wanted to force me to break off the engagement?"

"Congratulations, you hit the nail on the head. He never cared for you. If it weren't for Mrs. Leonora pushing so hard, this wedding would've been called off long ago. So, he seized the car accident as an opportunity to spread rumors about his condition. Sure enough, you took the bait and helped him break off the engagement."

This whole charade had been kept so hush-hush that only Dawson knew the full story. Even when Rose was crying her eyes out, Ian didn't dare reveal the truth to her, because only by fooling everyone, including his mother Leonora, could his plan work.

Hearing all this, Paolo's eyes burned red with anger. Pointing at Ian, he bellowed, "Ian, is this how you honor May's memory? You were the one who insisted on joining forces with Heidi. And now this? Aren't you afraid of karma?"

"Paolo, it was a childish jest that the Campbell family had taken too seriously. If Aunt May were still alive, maybe I wouldn't call off the engagement, considering her daughter wouldn't be so wicked. But she's gone, and all bets are off. I had no choice but to end it." Ian's face grew darker. "I can overlook the embarrassment for both our families and not pursue any blame, but from now on, I'm done with Heidi. If anyone dares to use her to threaten me again, I'll take them down without hesitation!"

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Leonora, anger flashing in his eyes.

Leonora was shaken by this torrent of truth. She shook her head in denial. "Ian, I had no idea about any of this. You have to believe me."

Ian's laugh was chilling. "Without your involvement, I would have discovered Heidi's surgery. Am I really your son? Why were you eager to marry me off to a woman who's been used up and can't bear children? Where exactly did the Hayes family do you wrong!"

Without waiting for a response from Leonora, Ian turned on his heel and left. As he stepped out of the hospital lobby, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The heavy stone that had been crushing his chest was finally gone.

He drove straight to Clara's place. The house was empty when he walked through the door. Everyone had left. Only Clara was in the kitchen, tidying up.

Ian walked up behind her and wrapped her tightly in his arms. His voice was hoarse with the weariness of a man who had just been through a storm. "Clara, I've dealt with Heidi. Let's patch things up."