No Strings Attached

Chapter 348

Ian's face was stormy as he glared at Leonora, his eyes brimming with barely concealed loathing. With a swift motion, he pushed Leonora aside and wrapped Clara into his arms. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

The icy look that had hardened his features melted into tenderness the moment his gaze met Clara's. His voice softened, "Clara, I'm sorry. You must have been worried sick."

Clara felt a lump in her throat, her eyes burning with unshed tears. "Ian, you—"

Her words trailed off as she realized she had no strength left. The last bit of energy she had been mustering up seemed to evaporate. Her body went limp, collapsing into Ian's embrace.

"Clara, Clara," Ian called out urgently, scooping her up and striding towards the hospital room without even casting Leonora a second glance.

Leonora, fuming to the point of grinding her teeth, cursed loudly from behind them, "Ian, Clara's nothing but a jinx, a walking disaster! Everyone around her meets a terrible fate. You stick with her and your luck will run out one day, too. Just mark my words."

Ryker, who had been trailing silently, suddenly spoke with a chilling tone, "If Grandma Rose heard you cursing her grandson like that, do you honestly think she'd hesitate to kick you out on your rear?"

Leonora shot him a venomous look. "Mind your own business when it comes to my family!"

"But when you call Ms. Clara a jinx, I can't just stand by. Leonora, you'd better straighten up. If you mess with Clara again, family ties won't stop me from chopping you into pieces."

Leonora let out a scornful laugh. "What kind of spell has that little bitch cast on you to have you dogs fighting for her? She's just like her mother, trash to the core!"

Her words were laced with such venom. It was as if she wanted to rip Clara apart.

Ryker's face twitched with anger, his dark eyes swirling with an unmistakable threat. He raised his arm and slapped Leonora across the face. "Ian might not lay a hand on you, but that doesn't mean I won't!"

Leonora's usually pale cheek flared red from the impact. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, ruining her perfect makeup.

Being struck by a Ryker was an unprecedented humiliation. She was livid, her fury nearly choking her. "Ryker, who gave you the guts to hit me? I'll tear your face apart!"

As she lunged at Ryker, aiming her freshly manicured nails at his handsome face, a sharp crack from her knee, followed by searing pain, sent her tumbling to the ground.

She let out an unbearable wail. "Ryker, you're crossing the line! I'll have your father deal with you."

Ryker chuckled dismissively. "Without the Hayes family, you're less than nothing to me!"

He instructed the bodyguard, "Take her back to the mansion. Don't let her out to make a scene again."

Leonora was dragged away like a ragdoll.

Ryker entered the hospital room and saw Clara lying pale and still on the bed. His brow furrowed with concern. "How is she?"

Ian, gently stroking Clara's cheek, replied, "She's just worn out. Hasn't slept properly in days."

"With you gone, she wouldn't," Ryker remarked, noticing the blood seeping through Ian's wound. "I'll have someone come and redress that for you."

"It's nothing. I won't die from it," Ian said, fatigue seeping into his voice as he watched over Clara.

Ian couldn't fathom how she had managed to endure the past few days, torn between worrying over Casey's illness and his well-being.