No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 273

"Sure, come replace me after you hang up."

Clara settled onto a secluded couch. Her fingers tapped away a message to lan on her phone. Before long, a man with a hint of mischief and sporting blue stud earrings sat down beside her. His smile broadened as he caught Clara's gaze. "Attorney Clara, do you mind if I join you?"

Clara lifted her eyes, and her expression was ice. "What brings you here, Mr. Julius?"

This man was Julius, the notorious second son of the Tulie family, and a playboy whose conquests, rumor had it, could circle the entire perimeter of Northbridge.

Julius raised a glass. His lips curled in a smirk. "I have a case I'd like to discuss with Attorney Clara. When might you have a moment to chat?"

Without hesitation, Clara was firm. "I'm off the clock. My office, Monday morning."

"Playing hard to get, are we, Attorney Clara? Other lawyers are tripping over themselves to take this case. It's the Tulie family inheritance dispute - could be worth millions in fees. Doesn't that pique your interest?"

Clara took a nonchalant sip from her drink. Her voice was as cool as the glass in her hand. "I'm not short on cases, nor cash."

Her words left Julius hanging.

As he observed her serene face, his interest intensified, and his eyes narrowed with calculation. He made small talk for a bit longer before taking his leave.

Just then, a waiter approached Clara with a beaming smile. "Miss, your drink seems to be running low. Care for another?"

Without looking up, Clara replied indifferently, "Thank you." The waiter placed a cocktail before her and quietly retreated.

The ballroom remained abuzz with life, yet Clara's corner was an island of solitude. As the night deepened, her eyelids grew heavy, and the drink was halfway finished. As she rose to replace Christy and head home, dizziness struck; her head nearly collided with the coffee table. It was then she realized the world had gone blurry; nothing was clear. Her limbs felt heavy, powerless.

She fumbled for her phone, intent on calling Christy, when a familiar voice reached her ears.

"Attorney Clara, feeling unwell? Let me help you rest a bit."

The voice was familiar, yet her eyes couldn't discern his face. Strong-willed, Clara pushed the figure away, mumbling, "I'm looking for Mrs. Hicks."

"Of course. I know where she is. Let me assist you to her."

Without resisting, Clara followed. Through the crowd, into the elevator, she queried, "Why isn't she here yet? Are you deceiving me?"

Heidi, dressed as a maid, couldn't hide her smugness. She thought, "After tonight, lan will never want you again, Clara."

The thought of tomorrow's scandalous headlines had Heidi practically vibrating with excitement. She guided Clara out of the elevator, down the hall to a private room.

Heidi fished out a key card, swung the door open, but as she turned to usher Clara in, a sudden, sharp pain exploded in her lower back.

Stumbling forward, Heidi fell into the arms of a man. His sinister laugh echoed in her ear.