No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)

Chapter 60

Clara's surprise was evident as she looked at Amy, "What do you mean? What happened?", Without missing a beat, Amy flicked open the photo album in the company's group chat and handed her phone to Clara. "Somebody's gone and posted a cozy picture of you with some guy in the group chat. The whole office is now buzzing that you've snagged yourself a rich boyfriend."

Clara glanced at the photo and felt a wave of relief wash over her. Thank goodness the shot didn't capture lan's face. Who knows what kind of drama that would've stirred up.

She didn't bother to explain, merely flashing Amy a wry smile. "I still need some client info for the report. Could you help me compile it?"

She busied herself for a while and finally got all the documents ready just before the meeting.

As she stepped into the conference room, she caught Heidi's probing gaze from across the table. "Ms. Clara, word on the street is you've got a new love interest, and he's loaded. Congratulations are in order, presume?"

True or not, Heidi was all about spreading rumors first and asking questions later. If lan found out Clara was involved with another man, knowing his fastidious nature, he'd never look her way again. Clara met Heidi's remark with a cool smile. "Ms. Heidi, are you considering a career pivot to paparazzi work?"

Heidi simply laughed it off. "I sent that photo to lan. By now, he's probably well aware of your little affair. How much do you want to bet he'll have you out on your ear before your know it?" After that, she smiled triumphantly,

Clara remained unfazed, busying herself with the meeting room's equipment setup.

Once everyone had arrived and the anticipation had built, the doors swung open. Ian walked in with Dawson by his side, but it was his attire that stopped everyone in their tracks, including Heidi.

He was donning a sea-blue shirt paired with a black-striped tie, and his gray slacks gave him an air of corporate sophistication.

Heidi, who had been smirking moments before, was suddenly paralyzed by the sight. It couldn't be lan. He never favored such colors

Also, she recognized the brand of the shirt, which was known for producing only two pieces in varying hues. If lan was wearing it now, then the man with Clara yesterday had to be him.

11:44

But Heidi had messaged lan. He should've been aware of the rumors swirling around him and Clara. Why would he not avoid suspicion and show up in that shirt? It was as if he was openly confirming the forum posts that claimed he was the man dating Clara.

Meanwhile, the meeting progressed smoothly, but the company chat was ablaze.

The thread speculating on Clara's romance with lan quickly climbed to the top spot, sparking a heated debate among the commenters, with some cheering and others jeering.

After the meeting, Clara gathered the minutes, intending to get lan's signature. Just as she reached the CEO's office door, she heard arguments from inside, and her name was mentioned. Clara halted in her tracks, standing silently at the door.

Leonora's voice was icy and sharp. "Ian, Casey's out of the hospital. It's time to end this charade. Are you really trying to marry his daughter just because I accidentally spilled the beans about your arrangement, almost getting Casey killed?"

lan's voice was a cool, deep retort. "Accidental or intentional, did you think I wouldn't find out?”

"He didn't die, did he?" Leonora retorted. "And you playing the devoted son-in-law for at week should've been enough to atone for my slip-up, don't you think?"

Listening in, Clara's fingers tightened around the documents she held, the coldness in her eyes growing more intense by the second.