No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 245

"Alright, I'm on it."

lan hung up the phone and remained silent for a few seconds. His people had just made contact with Victoria, and before they could pry any useful information from her lips, she had landed in trouble.

There was no way this was just a coincidence. Someone with a long reach was pulling strings from behind the scenes, all the way into the prison. Was it an attempt to silence someone for good, or was there another agenda at play?

lan glanced at Clara, a sinking feeling in his gut. "Clara," he called softly, "stay by my side for the next few days. Don't go anywhere on your own."

Clara had overheard the phone call. She knew what lan was worried about. So, without any objection, she obediently nodded.

For several days straight, lan stayed at Clara's place. Although they slept in separate bedrooms, their relationship had warmed considerably.

Just when they thought this ordeal might be behind them, Clara's phone rang early one morning. It was her dad. With affection, she answered, "Dad?"

But what came back was Victoria's sinister chuckle. "Clara, your dear daddy is with me now. Want to save him? Have lan rustle up ten million for me, or I'll be taking your beloved dad down to hell with me." Clara felt the strength drain from her body. She collapsed onto the bed, her voice trembling. "Victoria, don't you dare touch my dad. If anything happens to him, I'll never forgive you!"

Hearing her shaky voice, lan, who had been in the kitchen whipping up pancakes, rushed over and snatched the phone from her hands.

"Victoria," he said icily, "if you lay a finger on him, I swear you'll regret it."

Victoria sneered, "lan, prepare ten million. Get me out of the country, or I'll make your woman lose the dad she adores."

"Don't you dare!"

"What's stopping me? She's not my flesh and blood. What do I care?"

"Victoria!"

lan moved away from Clara so she wouldn't hear this, clenching his jaw as he spoke into the phone, "Give me the location. I'll arrange everything." Victoria demanded, "I want ten million in cash and a chopper. You've got three hours, or Clara can start planning her dad's funeral."

The call ended abruptly.

At the same time, lan's phone rang. "Mr. Hayes, Victoria knocked out a nurse, switched into her uniform, and fooled the guards at the door - she's on the run." lan cursed, "A bunch of idoits!"

"Mr. Hayes, there's a traitor in the prison. Victoria's suicide was a sham. Her real plan was to escape. She had outside help. Seems they're after Attorney Clara."

lan gritted his teeth. If he hadn't been by Clara's side these last few days, she might have been the one taken. "She's kidnapped Casey. Get a chopper and ten million in cash ready. I'm going to pay the ransom."

Dawson responded immediately, "On it, I'll get everything prepared."

After hanging up, lan saw Clara's tear-streaked face looking at him. He walked over and held her in his arms, comforting her, "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to Casey."

Clara was cold to the touch, her lips pale. "Ian," she croaked.

He kissed her lightly on the lips. "I'm here, Clara."

"Please, save my dad. I can't lose him."

"I know. I'll bring him back."

An hour later, lan and his team arrived at the location Victoria had given them, but the scene that unfolded before his eyes left him completely stunned.