Chapter 18 Claraâs grip on her cellphone tightened and relaxed in an anxious rhythm. She was aware of the project. It was Hayes Corporationâs new venture, a field ripe with potential. The profits could skyrocket if it all went according to plan.
Her father, a man of his word, couldnât possibly be involved in anything shadyâunless someone was deliberately making things difficult for him. As this thought settled in, Claraâs expression turned icy.
She whipped out her phone and dialed lanâs number repeatedly. Each call was met with a ruthless disconnect It wasnât until the fifth attempt that an indifferent voice finally answered.
âGot any regrets?â
Clara bit her lip, struggling to maintain composure. Her voice came out slightly hoarse, betraying her weariness. âlan, my father isnât the kind of man to break promises. If youâre out for revenge, target meâbut donât tarnish a lifetime of integrity. He just came out of surgery. Do you understand that your actions could kill him?â
There was a moment of stiffness on the other end, then a shadow of amusement flickered in lanâs eyes. âWant to save your father?â
His laugh was soft, almost taunting. âMeet me in the hospital parking lot.â
Hearing lanâs tacit admission hit Clara like a ton of bricks. She hadnât realized the extent he would go, disregarding the three years theyâd spent together. If he had felt even the slightest affection for her, he wouldnât be so callous.
Overwhelmed, Clara felt her throat close up, her eyes moistened. She tilted her head up, glaring at the blinding hallway lights, and said coldly, âlan, just wait. I will get justice for my dad. I wonât let you wrong an innocent man!â
lanâs response was a dry chuckle. âIâm curious to see how youâll claim this justice.â
Five minutes later, Clara found lanâs car in the underground garage. Dawson greeted her with a wave. âMs. Clara, Mr. Hayes is waiting for you in the car.â
He courteously opened the car door for her and then discreetly retreated to a distance.
lan noticed Claraâs entry, and his gaze instantly locked onto the wound on her forehead, his dark eyes clouding with anger. âWho did this?â
He grasped her chin with a firm hand, his gaze dark and unreadable. Clara turned her head away, irritated. Itâs none of your business.â
âClara, is this how you live without me? You turn yourself into this... mess!â He fumed, then reached into the glove compartment for an ointment, applying it to her wound.
Next, he pulled out the ugliest bandâaid availableâit was a souvenir from a night he drank too much and hurt himself. Clara had bought it as a punishment.
Clara recoiled at the sight of the hideous bandâaid. âIâm not wearing that.â
But lan pulled her into his embrace and slapped the bandâaid onto her forehead anyway. After he was done, he bit her lip mockingly and laughed, âYou look ridiculous!â
White with anger, Clara couldnât believe he still had the nerve to tease her after putting the Bell family through such an ordeal.
âlan, what do you want to let my dad go?â
His eyes, dark and inscrutable, never left hers, and a cold laugh leaked from his throat. Itâs simple. Come back to me, and I promise, not only will your father be safe, but the Bell family will be restored to its former glory Chapter 19