No Strings Attached novel (Sharp and Clara’s)

Chapter 108

Before Clara could utter a word, Anders, who had been standing behind her, grabbed her wrist and glared coldly at lan. “Sorry, Mr. Hayes, but that's a no-go. We'll have to pass on your... “generosity.” With a firm tug, he pulled Clara to his side, shielding her like a guardian angel.

A sting shot through lan’s heart, and his eyes darkened with an added chill. “Did you really think I came here to talk shop with you today?”

He slowly approached Clara, leaned in, and whispered with a low chuckle in her ear. “If you don’t play along tonight, believe me, I'll trash Anders’ joint!”

Clara looked up to meet lan’s smoldering gaze. She knew he wouldn't let her off the hook that easily. Biting her lip in determination, she faced lan with a steely look. “Dancing with you, Mr. Hayes, would be my pleasure. I trust you're a man of your word.”

Anders immediately stepped in front of her. “Clara, he’s baiting you. You're not dancing with him.” Clara lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Anders, trust me, I know what I'm doing.”

Their exchange left Mr. Marco brimming with suspicion. Pointing at lan, he asked, “Have you met them before?”

lan held Clara's wrist. With his eyes downcast, he asked her, “What do you think? Are we acquainted?”

Clara shook her head quickly. “Marco, we're not. Since Mr. Hayes is interested in discussing a partnership, shouldn't we extend our warmest hospitality?”

“This girl is precious to me. Don't you dare mistreat her,” Marco warned.

lan gave a meaningful smile. “I wouldn't dream of it.” Then, he led Clara to the center of the dance floor, and they began to sway to the music.

This dance should have been reserved for the Hayes Corporation's anniversary celebration

On that day, Clara was supposed to become lan's girlfriend. But she betrayed him, sneaking off to the rooftop for a secret rendezvous with Anders.

!

Recalling all that had transpired, lan’s gaze upon Clara turned frosty. He leaned in, his breath warming her ear as his husky and spellbinding voice broke through her defenses.

“Clara, you owe me this. Don't pretend you're the victim here.”

Clara's cool gaze met his, her voice calm and even. “After tonight, can I consider my debt paid? Will you leave me and Anders alone then?”

lan’s grip tightened, pulling her close with an intimidating tone.

“Do you really think I'm the type to be cuckolded and swallow my pride? If you want me to let you and Anders off the hook, it's not impossible.”

He leaned down and bit her earlobe, his voice a low growl, “Spend the night with me.”

Clara stopped in her tracks, anger flaring in her striking eyes. “lan, in your dreams!”

lan, unfazed, led her away from the center of the dance floor to a secluded corner. He grasped her chin and looked down into Ker eyes

“You've loved him for seven years, haven't you? What's one more sacrifice? Besides, it's not like we haven't been together before. One more time won't make a difference. Think it over.”

Hearing this, Clara's hatred intensified. She shoved lan away, her eyes blazing. “lan, you're not only blind but

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heartless. You want to sleep with me? Go to hell!”

She grabbed a glass of wine from the table and threw it in his face. Then she stormed off without looking

back.

The red wine dripped down lan’s smooth cheek, trailing along his chiseled jawline into his stark collarbone. Unaccustomed to such disrespect, lan immediately went after Clara, intent on dragging her back for a proper punishment.

But a shadowy figure blocked his path.