No Strings Attached

Chapter 146

“Who are you calling a jerk?”

Ryker, with three years under his belt as a special ops soldier, was unfazed by such sudden aggression. With a swift counter–move, he grabbed lan’s arm, twisting it behind his back until lan yelped in pain.

Clara stepped in to intervene. “Ryker, let him go. He’s hurt.”

Ryker begrudgingly released lan’s arm, and shot him a cold look. “Only because Ms. Clara asked, you’re off the hook.”

lan glared back. His anger was unabated. “You had one job, to protect someone, but you blew it. And you’ve still got the gall to give me lip.”

He turned to Clara, and his voice softened. “Go take a shower, have some dinner, and if you get scared, just call me.”

Ryker started leading Clara upstairs. “No need. I live right across from her. She’ll be safe with me.”

Immediately, the three of them headed up. lan didn’t like the idea of Clara being with them, but he had more pressing matters to attend to. He went back in his car. His expression turned dark and stormy.

“What the hell happened?”

Dawson, driving, replied, “All the evidence points to Attorney Clara. There are bank transactions from her account, messages she sent to those guys, and their testimonies all pinning it on her.”

lan snorted, “Clara’s a lawyer. Even if she did it, she’d never leave a trail.”

“That’s what I thought. So, someone’s setting her up.”

lan’s eyes darkened. “Framing her is one thing, but the real goal seems to be to break her spirit, to tarnish her reputation.”

Dawson hesitated, “Mr. Hayes, I don’t think Heidi alone could pull off something. this big. There’s got to be someone behind her, pulling the strings. The drugging incident, Victoria’s threats, Nicole’s disappearance, even the whereabouts of the surgeon who operated on Attorney Clara… all unknown.”

“All these events, they’re like a net, all targeting Clars It’s like somene

get her, dead or alive. Who could be so cruel and sO ISINFETTUR

lan’s gaze grew even more intense. A suspect flashes through his TIME SITE fists clenched involuntarily. “Let’s find Victoria.”

They arrived at the asylum well past midnight.

The director, upon seeing lan, ran out of his quarters, and his forehead was sice with sweat. “Mr. Hayes, what brings you here at this hour

lan’s face was stern. “I’m here for a person. Why are you so panicked?”

The director stuttered, “Mr. Hayes, Victoria… she’s gone.

“When did this happen?” lan demanded. His voice was shard with authority

“Just yesterday. We had a delegation visiting, and after they left. Wicona disappeared.”

lan’s icy demeanor sent a chill through the air as he glared at the director. “And why didn’t you inform me yesterday?”

“You were in the middle of a high–profile love pursuit, sir. I didn’t care disum your good mood.”

“Idiot!” lan spat out the insult and headed straight for the surveilance.com.

Victoria was like a ticking time bomb for Clara: he had to find her quickly However, after reviewing the security footage over and over, there was no sam

of Victoria.

A living, breathing person had vanished into thin air.

“All these events, they’re like a net, all targeting Clara. It’s like someone is out to get her, dead or alive. Who could be so cruel and so powerful?”

lan’s gaze grew even more intense. A suspect flashed through his mind, and this fists clenched involuntarily. “Let’s find Victoria.”

They arrived at the asylum well past midnight.

The director, upon seeing lan, ran out of his quarters, and his forehead was slick with sweat. “Mr. Hayes, what brings you here at this hour?”

lan’s face was stern. “I’m here for a person. Why are you so panicked?”

The director stuttered, “Mr. Hayes, Victoria… she’s gone.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“When did this happen?” lan demanded. His voice was sharp with authority.

“Just yesterday. We had a delegation visiting, and after they left, Victoria disappeared.”

lan’s icy demeanor sent a chill through the air as he glared at the director. “And why didn’t you inform me yesterday?”

“You were in the middle of a high–profile love pursuit, sir. I didn’t dare disturb your good mood.”

“Idiot!” lan spat out the insult and headed straight for the surveillance room.

Victoria was like a ticking time bomb for Clara; he had to find her quickly. However, after reviewing the security footage over and over, there was no sign

of Victoria.

A living, breathing person had vanished into thin air.