No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 271

As the host passed the gifts to Clara, he fawned over her with an avalanche of well-wishes. Heidi nearly cracked her teeth from clenching them so hard in frustration. At the auction, Clara had spent a cool twenty million plus, amassing a mountain of gift boxes.

Roger snapped a photo and sent it over to lan. [Your lady's burning through cash like there's no tomorrow. You gonna let her shop till she drops? Look at all this stuff.] lan's reply came swiftly. [She spending your inheritance or something? Back off, buddy.]

Roger couldn't help but laugh in irritation. That blockhead lan, once clueless, now transformed into a husband completely bewitched by his wife. Roger had to admit, even he couldn't compete. The auction gave way to a charity dinner.

Clara instructed the staff to deliver her haul straight to her home. Heidi scoffed as she watched the staff bowing and scraping to Clara. She raised her voice deliberately, "Attorney Clara sure knows how to flash the cash. A single auction and there goes over twenty million of lan's fortune. At this rate, even the Hayes' deep pockets will feel the pinch."

Her words drew the attention of everyone around them. Clara, who came from humble beginnings, had scaled the social ladder by marrying into the Hayes family, inciting the envy of many high society ladies. The murmurs started, with some echoing Heidi's sentiments.

Clara responded with a dismissive chuckle, "And what relation are you to the Hayes family, Ms. Heidi? Since when is how I spend lan's money any of your business?"

Heidi bit down on her lip in anger. "I just can't stand hypocrites like you. On the courtroom steps you preach about female empowerment and independence, yet here you are, nothing but a glorified gold digger leaning on a man."

She pointed scornfully at the pile of gift boxes held by the staff. In her mind, Clara was nothing but a nobody. How could she possibly afford what the true bluebloods couldn't?

Clara met the accusation without a hint of rage, and with an elegant flick of her hair, she replied coolly, "You think I'm like you? A do-nothing heiress who wouldn't last a day without her family's name to cling to?"

Heidi let out a smug laugh, "Lucky me, born with a silver spoon. And you? You've got to sell yourself to get what I have by birthright."

In this day and age, who isn't reliant on their parents' wealth? But Clara was different. Her luxury was bought not by privilege, but by what Heidi saw as selling her beauty.

Clara remained unfazed by the crowd's judgment. She pulled out a card from her purse and held it in front of Heidi. "Take a good look, sweetheart, and see who I really rely on!"

Heidi snatched the card, and to her shock, it bore Clara's name.

Impossible! How could Clara have that kind of money?

As Heidi stood there, dumbstruck, Christy's laughter broke the silence. "Our dear Clara won a major case last week. Just the client's commission was fifty million, not to mention the hefty bonus from her firm. She's the undefeated legal eagle of the courtroom, with clients lining up and commissions in the millions. Does Ms. Heidi really think Clara needs to lean on a man?"

Heidi was left speechless. Her eyes brimmed with envy and malice. Her fists clenched tightly, and as she locked eyes with a man nearby, a venomous plot began to take shape in her mind.