No Strings Attached novel (Sharp and Clara’s)

Chapter 105

It was the first time she had seen lan since their breakup. She thought she'd be cool as a cucumber, but when she caught sight of him, her heart still ached like a dull throb of heartburn.

Christy was by her side, her voice tinged with irritation, “Roger, that darn fool tricked me. He said lan never shows up to these things. That's why I told you to come.”

Clara offered a faint smile. “It's no big deal. We all run in the same circles in Northbridge. It was bound to happen sooner or later.”

“Don’t worry, I'll try to keep you two from mingling.”

No sooner had she spoken than she was tugging Clara to leave. But lan’s chilly voice came from behind them, “Mrs. Hicks, were you planning to leave just as I arrived? Am I that unwelcome?” Christy clenched her teeth in secret annoyance. She turned around, forcing a smile that was polite but strained. “Mr. Hayes, what an honor. Forgive us for not greeting you properly.”

lan's gaze swept over them both, his eyes betraying no emotion. In an indifferent tone, he said, “Since I was not welcomed properly, perhaps you should atone with a drink, Mrs. Hicks.”

Christy knew lan was being deliberate.

She picked up a glass of juice, saying with a forced smile. “Can’t drink alcohol. I have a baby to nurse. This will have to do for you.”

She was about to take a sip when lan’s voice, cool and low, stopped her. “Not everyone here is nursing. You could ask someone else to drink on your behalf, to show me you're truly sorry.”

His gaze fell upon Clara, standing next to Christy. Even the most oblivious could tell lan’s arrow was aimed at someone in particular.

Roger quickly tried to smooth things over. “If my wife has been rude, I'll drink in her place. Leave Attorney Clara out of this, will you?”

At that, lan's gaze darkened,/""What did you say?”

“I said Clara is now a contracted attorney at Anders Law Firm. She's here on my invitation and has business to discuss later. Show some decency; don't hassle the young lady.”

The unflappable look in Ian's eyes suddenly frosted over. lan’s cold stare was fixed on Clara, whose face remained composed. He had thought that by blocking her job prospects, she'd be left bruised from rejection, remember his kindness, and crawl back to him. But he hadn't expected Clara to abandon her secretarial career entirely to return to

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law with Anders.

How splendid.

lan“s smile didn’t reach his eyes. He stared at Clara with a chilling gaze. “Ms. Clara may be an attorney now, but Christy was a mentor in her career. Can't she even drink a glass in her stead?” Before Roger could interject, Clara's voice came, serene and detached.

“Christy was preoccupied with me, and that's why you feel slighted, Mr. Hayes. It's only right that I apologize for her. Mr. Hayes, I'll drink this on her behalf. Please forgive any offense.” She lifted her glass to lan, tilted her head back, and downed it without

hesitation.

lan, watching Clara maintain such a distance, felt a stab in his chest, a prickling pain. His fingers around his own glass turned white with tension. Yet, his lips curled into an attractive arch.

He nodded toward a few executives nearby. “When Ms. Clara was my secretary, she could hold her liquor like no other. Serving her juice means you're not showing much willingness to cooperate, are you?"

With that said, those who had been wary of Clara stepped forward to drink with her. Several rounds later, Clara had lost count of her drinks. So much so that on her way to the restroom, she stumbled into someone.