No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)

Her entire mental state had regressed over two decades.

Connor gazed at her, pulling her up from the ground with a swift motion. His voice was the epitome of gentleness. "Katherine, don't be afraid. It's me, your big brother. I've come to save you." Tears streaked Katherine's face as she stared at him. Her once delicate features were now marred by a sudden ferocity.

She opened her mouth and bit down hard on Connor's shoulder. She bit with all her might.

Connor gasped in pain.

The bodyguard moved to intervene but was stopped by Connor, who, instead, wanted to see whether the fire had awakened Katherine or driven her mad.

Katherine nearly bit off a piece of flesh from Connor's shoulder. Only when she ran out of strength did she finally release her grip. And then she fainted in Connor's arms.

He watched her dirt-streaked face, his eyes reflecting a complex emotion.

Connor asked in a deep voice, "How's the old man?"

"He inhaled a lot of smoke, so his condition has worsened, and he's been taken to the hospital for emergency treatment."

"Get Katherine's doctor here," Connor ordered.

After a series of examinations and tests, the doctor finally made a diagnosis. "Mr. Connor, Ms. Katherine's condition has worsened significantly. She's been subjected to a severe mental shock. I've told you before. This method is akin to a breakdown therapy; if not handled properly, it could lead to a dead end. In the best-case scenario, she might end up in a state of mental deficiency; in the worst case, as we've just witnessed, completely deranged."

Connor's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Katherine, who lay unconscious on the bed. His hands gripped the wheelchair's armrests tightly.

He said in a grave voice, "Is there a possibility that she's faking it?"

The doctor immediately bowed and said, "Mr. Connor, that possibility is almost non-existent. The tests we've just conducted are the most advanced in the country. We even used lie detector. These devices can find flaws in even the most cunning criminals, and Ms Katherine, she is just an ordinary person."

When he heared this, the anxious weight in Connor's heart finally settled. "Alright, I understand. You may leave," he said.

He slowly wheeled himself to

Katherine's bedside. Then his large hand gently caressed her cheek. In a husky voice, he said, "Katherine, no matter what you become, I will never abandon you."

A month later, Katherine's condition deteriorated significantly. There were several instances where she nearly jumped off the building.

Connor finally let down his guard and called Brodie.

Hearing the news, Brodie froze. The day he feared had finally arrived.

He rushed to the villa, and upon seeing his mother in that state, he broke down in tears. Katherine was holding a doll, kissing it while calling it her baby.

One moment she was crying, and the next she was causing a commotion. She didn't even recognize Brodie. When her illness flared up, she would lash out at everyone.

Brodie's heart ached immensely. He held her tightly in his arms, ignoring Katherine's scolding. "Mom, it's me, Brodie, your son. Don't you recognize me at all?"

Katherine showed no sign of recognition, instead attacking Brodie with punches and kicks. Soon, Brodie was covered in bruises.

After Brodie's several attempts, Connor agreed to let him take Katherine back home, but he placed a servant by their side.

Brodie knew all too well that this

person was Connor's spy. At home, he spiked the servant's meal with sleeping pills and sneaked into Katherine's room in the middle of the night.

Katherine, frightened, immediately curled up, but upon hearing Brodie's voice, she burst into tears.