No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 288

Stepping through the door, shielded by a simple curtain, his eyes immediately landed on lan sitting on the couch. Dressed in black, lan sat with a straight back, his dark hair falling across his forehead, accentuating his chiseled features. A shadow of a smile played in his eyes.

Joey, who had been smug just moments ago, now felt his face contort, muscles twitching involuntarily, his legs shaking uncontrollably.

Clara's aunt, blind to her son's distress, eagerly tugged at his arm and urged, "Son, take a good look and tell Grandpa Reed here whether these items are fakes."

Joey was just a department manager in a subsidiary of Hayes Corporation. He had never met lan in person, having only seen him on television. He'd heard rumors that Mr. Hayes had a beautiful secretary by his side, but he never imagined that secretary would be his cousin Clara nor that they were engaged to be married.

How had such staggering wealth and fortune fallen into Joey's lap?

He scurried over to lan like a loyal lapdog, offering cigarettes and bowing, eager to make amends. "I had no idea you would be my future brother-in-law. Mr. Hayes, please forgive any lack of hospitality on my part," Joey fawned.

The room fell silent, everyone stunned by his words.

Clara's aunt rushed over, confused. "Mr. Hayes? You sure you're not mistaken?"

Joey shot her a look, a silent signal, and said in a low tone, "This man is the CEO of Hayes Corporation, my ultimate boss. Mom, we need to prepare a feast. I'm going to roast a whole lamb for Mr. Hayes today."

At the mention of a feast, the very people who had scrutinized Clara now changed their tune, tripping over themselves to curry favor.

"Clara loves a good roast goose. I'll prepare a couple for her right away."

"I remember Clara's fondness for my sweet buns. I'll head home and bake some right now."

Clara watched the sycophants with an impassive face. She glanced at lan and said softly, "Grandpa Reed enjoys his peace, and he's not fond of those things. Please, everyone, you can leave." Joey, still grinning, interjected, "Clara, it's not often you and your betrothed visit. Let us entertain you. Besides, it's the festive season, and the new year is just around the corner. It'll be more merry celebrating together."

Reed, fed up with the charade, couldn't help but scoff, "Now you're all sweet on Clara? When she lived here as a child, did she even get a taste of your kindness? You're her relatives, for heaven's sake, yet you never cared for her and only ganged up with outsiders to bully her. Now that she's doing well, you want to cozy up? Over my dead body. Get out, all of you!"

With that, Reed grabbed a pillow from the couch and hurled it at the crowd. As the pillow flew through the air, landing right before lan, something fell out. He frowned deeply as he picked it up. "Clara," he called out, his voice grave as he handed her the report.

Clara's eyes welled up as she read it. "Reed, why didn't you tell me?"

Reed sighed, the truth out in the open. "Your dad's been unwell, and I didn't want to worry him. Besides, it's cancer. Treatment seemed pointless and just a waste of money when death's inevitable." "But at least hospital care could ease the pain and extend his life..."

Tears streamed down Clara's cheeks. Reed had been diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer months ago, and neither she nor her father had any clue.

During these tumultuous months, while her personal life was in turmoil and her father had multiple ICU stays, she had neglected Grandpa Reed. He was sick, gravely so, and she had been oblivious. She'd always assumed Grandpa Reed was robust, living a simple life in the countryside, immune to such ailments.