No Strings Attached

Chapter 432

When he heared those words, Paolo’s fist, which had been on the ascent, froze mid-air. It took a moment for the gravity of the situation to hit him. He shook his head in disbelief. “No way. She can’t possibly be my daughter.”

Edwin’s face was stormy as he glared at his father. “It’s not that you don’t believe it, Paolo. You just can’t accept what you’ve done to your own flesh and blood. For Heidi’s sake, you’ve hurt Clara time and again. And now, you’ve actually helped Hedi break out of jail. Clara is missing because of you. Paolo, if Clara knew what kind of man her father was, she’d be heartbroken. And if something’s happened to her, it’s on you. You’d be responsible for her demise.” Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

This was the first time the normally composed and refined Edwin raised his voice against his father. With each thought of how his father’s actions had led to these events, his resentment grew.

If Paolo hadn’t had an affair, if that woman hadn’t gotten pregnant, his mother would still be alive, and Clara wouldn’t have been put in danger over and over again.

When he was confronted with his son’s accusations, Paolo’s strength left him, and he collapsed onto the ground, murmuring repeatedly, “Clara is my daughter, my child with May. I’ve found my daughter. I have another daughter.”

Edwin watched him coldly. “She’s not your daughter. You gave her nothing but DNA, and you teamed up with your illegitimate child to hurt her. If Clara comes back, I’m sure she won’t acknowledge you!” Edwin stormed off, leaving Paolo alone, seated on the grass.

Just then, Teo and Casey emerged from inside, each wielding a baseball bat.

Before Paolo could react, Casey swung his bat at Paolo’s back with a curse. “You scum! If anything happens to Clara, I swear you’ll be buried with her.”

The blow sent a sharp pain across Paolo’s back. As he tried to speak, Teo’s bat found his leg.

Teo said with an icy tone, “Paolo, Eddie and Ian are younger than you. They wouldn’t dare lay hands on you. So, I’ll clean up the trash for them! I’m doing this for my daughter-in-law and grandson!”

The bat struck Paolo’s limbs with a vengeance, each hit searing with pain. He lay there, like a dog that had lost its home, beaten without a chance to defend himself.

All he could think about was the revelation that Clara was his daughter. The first time he saw Clara, he thought she looked so much like May.

Why hadn’t he suspected anything? Why hadn’t he realized it when Edwin and Marian were always around the Bell family?

He had always believed that his child with May was long gone. Why would Clara be his daughter?

Ignoring the pain wracking his body, Paolo sobbed miserably on the ground. “Clara, I’m sorry. Daddy’s so sorry.”

Paolo’s wails only fueled Casey’s rage. He swung the bat at Paolo’s belly, shouting, “Shut up! Clara doesn’t have a father like you. She’ll never recognize you. Go to your crippled illegitimate daughter.”

Casey, panting from exertion and the thought of Clara’s uncertain fate, couldn’t hold back his tears. Pointing at Paolo, he yelled, “You better pray that Clara and her child are safe. If anything happens to either of them, I’ll never forgive you!” After delivering a kick to Paolo’s belly, he turned and stormed back into the mansion.

Teo turned to the bodyguards and ordered, “Take him to the hospital. Don’t let him die here. We don’t need his filth sullying the Hayes family estate.”