Chapter 172: Chapter 172

Chapter 172 Her expression shifted to one of pure professionalism in an instant. So, a birthmark in such a hidden spot would only be known by someone very close to the individual,” she said.

lan’s dark eyes narrowed briefly. “The only people in our family who know about this are Grandma Rose and my parents. I can’t think of a single reason they’d sabotage me since this concerns the entire future of Hayes Corporation”

Clara’s eyelashes fluttered as she met lan’s gaze. “What if someone is using this to force you into marrying Helena? To get you to bring her into the fold?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Helena once gave me a choice. If I convinced you to marry het, she would immediately drop the lawsuit.”

“And why didn’t you tell me? Could it be that you still have feelings for me and didn’t want me to be involved with another woman?”

lan’s piercing gaze was fixed on Clara, searching her face for any sign of reluctant affection, Clara merely curved her lips into a faint smile. “My mission from Trevor was to help you win this lawsult, not to compromise willy–

nilly. It has nothing to do with personal feelings”

lan felt as if he had been pierced by a thousand arrows, his body slumping into the couch.

wants He stared at the chandelier above, his voice laced with resignation, “Clara, don’t you think I’m pitiful? I have a mother who always to control my life, willing to hurt both you and me to achieve her goals. His laughter was tinged with bitterness as his long fingers gently massaged his temples.

He had long suspected an inside job, knowing full well that not just anyone could gain access to the Hayes family’s sperm vault.

However, he never imagined the perpetrator could be his own mother. His mother had gone so far as to murder their child to keep Clara away from him, even at the risk of harming Clara physically. Now it seemed she was even willing to sacrifice him and the fate of Hayes Corporation A sharp pain lodged itself in lan’s chest as he spoke with a hint of anguish, “Clara, how excruciating must it be to face betrayal from one’s own mother? Are we, perhaps, bound by a shared destiny of suffering?”

How could Clara not understand lan’s current turmoil? When Victoria had hurt her time and again, she had felt the same sorrow.

She handed him a steaming cup of coffee with a soft voice, “Pretend she’s not your biological mother, then it won’t hurt as much.”

lan managed a wry smile. He wished that were true because without that bond, there would be no barriers between him and Clara.

He took the coffee from Clara’s hand, but his hands trembled, spilling it all over his trousers.

The scalding heat had him leaping from the couch in an instant.

Clara went pale with fright. The coffee had been made with boiling water, and it had landed right on lan’s most sensitive area.

Her voice altered with concern, “lan, are you alright?”

Quickly unbuckling his belt, lan hurried towards the bathroom, saying. “I need to use your bathroom, or I might be infertile.”

Clara immediately grabbed her phone, “Quick, rinse with cold water. I’m calling the doctor.”

lan entered the bathroom.

Instead of promptly removing his soaked trousers, he clenched his teeth, enduring the intense burning sensation. After what felt like an eternity, he slowly unzipped his pants to see that the affected area had blistered. Far from worry, a knowing smile played on his lips.

After the doctor had examined him, he frowned at lan. “This looks quite serious. Such a harsh injury might impact...well, functionality might be...

lan cut in urgently, “Might be what?”

“Might never bounce back.”