No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)

Chapter 53

Casey came downstairs wearing the new maroon shirt his daughter bought for him, paired with gray trousers. His enthusiasm was palpable as he contemplated his upcoming meeting with lan, who was visiting their home for the first time today.

"How do I look for lan's first visit? I can't very well dress like I'm lounging around the house," he remarked with a flourish, pausing to appraise his reflection in the mirror.

Casey held lan in such high regard that he prepared for lan's arrival with the same meticulous care one would extend to a prospective son-in-law, even bringing out the fine wine he'd been saving for special occasions.

Clara approached her father with a subdued grace, her smile belying the news she was about to deliver. "Dad, lan had to take a last-minute business trip. He won't be able to make it. Let's just start dinner, okay?"

Casey looked at her, puzzled. "But he promised just yesterday he would be here."

"Well, that was yesterday, Dad. Plans changed this morning. He had to rush off. He asked me to let you know, but it slipped my mind," she explained.

lan hadn't gone on a business trip. A major project had hit a snag and he was off to troubleshoot. It wasn't something that would resolve quickly.

Since her father was discharged from the hospital, Clara considered it best to gradually. dial back her involvement with lan. In a few months, when the truth came to light, it wouldn't seem so abrupt. Despite a twinge of disappointment, Casey summoned a smile and ushered everyone to the table for dinner.

Their meal was in full swing when the butler burst in with news. "Sir, Miss, Eve and Nancy have arrived. They wish to see how you're feeling, sir."

Clara's smile froze. Placing her cutlery down, she said, "Dad, I'm going to step out for a moment. You all carry on."

Clara barely stood up before Eve's shrill voice echoed from the hallway. "Casey, how could no one tell me about your hospital discharge? Am I that insignificant to you?"

Clara intercepted Eve with a frosty tone. "Maybe if you treated my father a little better, showed some motherly compassion instead of causing a scene in his hospital room, we'd be more inclined to keep you updated."

"You ungrateful little brat, when did you get to talk back in this house?" Eve's arm swung toward Clara, but a firm grip caught her wrist.

Casey's voice was stern, his gaze icy. "I won't allow anyone to lay a finger on my

daughter."

11:43

Eve winced at the grip on her wrist, her complaints turning into curses. "Casey, you've grown bold, defending that trash against me!"

"If you insult my daughter again, believe me, I will have you kicked out of this house." His voice was chilling, his resolve unyielding, a far cry from the gentle and dutiful Casey of the past.

Eve, shocked, tried to appeal to his sensibilities. "Casey, I am your mother, and this is my home too. How dare you speak to me with such disrespect? Have you forgotten the promises you made to your father?"

"I promised to look after this family and you. Haven't I done that? I've worked myself to the bone for this family. But have you ever cared for me? In your eyes, I am nothing more than a money-making machine. You turn a blind eye to my elder brother's vices, yet your are here to judge my daughter? She's done nothing but support the Bell family. Without her, we'd be in ruins."

"Since you've come all this way, I won't let you leave empty-handed. I've made a decision. I'm hiring a lawyer to divide the estate. I refuse to be the workhorse for this family any longer, and I won't let my daughter suffer any more for it."

Years of single-handedly propping up the company had taken their toll. While Casey's brother's family indulged in their vices, accruing debts that fell upon him to clear. Casey had long clung to the hope of familial harmony. But after learning how his mother and Jay had conspired against his daughter, Casey had lost all faith in the notion of family.