No Strings Attached

Chapter 124

Chase furrowed his brow in confusion. I heard you saved somebody recently. How come you can’t do it today?”

The girl I saved last time rallied after the effects of the drug she ingested had weakened considerably, the doctor explained. “She had lost a lot of blood by the time she got to me. You know her, actually. She’s the daughter of the man you referred to me for heart valve surgery.”

Chase’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re talking about Clara?”

“Yes, that’s the girl. Mr. Anders was the one who brought her in. She was in pretty bad shape, having lost a significant amount of blood. But I’ve never seen someone fight through the effects of a drug like that on their own before.”

The room fell silent at these words, and all eyes turned to lan. He slowly opened his eyes from a semi–conscious state. There was no hint of light in his gaze, only endless pain and

sorrow.

Dr. Lee’s words echoed in his mind.

Clara had been drugged with an aphrodisiac that day, but she hadn’t needed Anders‘ help. She had fought through it on her own, bleeding profusely. She nearly died.

At that critical moment, when she needed lan the most, what had he done? He had called her just another woman he had played with, said he was now tired of her, and tossed her aside.

The Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

memory of Clara’s look when she heard those words made lan’s heart wrench with pain. He clutched the sheets, crying out Clara’s name in agony. Blood began to trickle from his nostrils.

Heidi burst into tears, grabbing Rose’s arm in desperation. “Grandma Rose, please let me help lan. If this goes on, he’s going to die. I promise I won’t tell my parents, and I won’t use this against him. I just want him to live.”

Her cries were heartbreaking, and her plea was sincere.

Rose looked from her grandson’s tormented state to Heidi’s earnest request, her brow furrowed deeply. After a long pause, she finally spoke. “Ian, I want to hear what you think.”

lan turned towards Rose with a pained look in his eyes, his voice weak. “Grandma Rose, I want to know how much she suffered.”

With those words, Rose understood his meaning. Her eyes reddened, and she said, “Are you sure you can endure this? I could swallow my pride and ask Clara to help you.”

“No! Everyone, get out! I don’t need anyone!”

10:40

He couldn’t bear to ask Clara for help. He had not only been absent during her time of greatest pain but had also deeply wounded her already fragile heart

Rose turned to the others. “Put him on the bed and leave the room. Let Dr. Lee keep watch. If Clara could endure, I believe he can, too.”

“This could kill him. I can’t just watch my son die,” Leonora protested, for the first time openly defying Rose.

Rose looked at her coldly. “Getting Heidi involved now would be throwing lan into the fire. He’s already wronged Clara. If he gets involved with Heidi now, he’ll never know peace.” She used her cane to drive everyone out without mercy.

lan lay alone on the bed, writhing in pain as it felt like countless ants were gnawing at every nerve in his body. The unbearable itch was making him tremble all over.

He longed to hold Clara, to be lost with her in madness, as they had been before.

lan murmured Clara’s name almost unwittingly. The more he yearned for her, the more his heart ached. Summoning all his will, he dialed Clara’s number.