Chapter 60 Claraâs surprise was evident as she looked at Amy, âWhat do you mean? What happened?â, Without missing a beat, Amy flicked open the photo album in the companyâs group chat and handed her phone to Clara. âSomebodyâs gone and posted a cozy picture of you with some guy in the group chat. The whole office is now buzzing that youâve snagged yourself a rich boyfriend.â
Clara glanced at the photo and felt a wave of relief wash over her. Thank goodness the shot didnât capture lanâs face. Who knows what kind of drama that wouldâve stirred up.
She didnât bother to explain, merely flashing Amy a wry smile. âI still need some client info for the report. Could you help me compile it?â
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 Heidiâs probing gaze from across the table. âMs. Clara, word on the street is youâve got a new love interest, and heâs loaded. Congratulations are in order, I presume?â
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, heâd never look her way again.
Clara met Heidiâs remark with a cool smile. âMs. Heidi, are you considering a career pivot to paparazzi work?â
Heidi simply laughed it off. âI sent that photo to lan. By now, heâs probably well aware of your little affair. How much do you want to bet heâll have you out on your ear before your know it?â After that, she smiled triumphantly, Clara remained unfazed, busying herself with the meeting roomâs equipment setup.
Once everyone had arrived and the anticipation had built, the doors swung open. lan walked in with Dawson by his side, but it was his attire that stopped everyone in their tracks, including Heidi.
He was donning a seaâblue shirt paired with a blackâstriped 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 couldnât 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 shouldâve 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 Claraâs 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 lanâs signature. Just as she reached the CEOâs office door, she heard arguments from inside, and her name was mentioned.
Clara halted in her tracks, standing silently at the door.
Leonoraâs voice was icy and sharp. âIan, Caseyâs out of the hospital. Itâs 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?â
lanâs voice was a cool, deep retort. âAccidental or intentional, did you think I wouldnât find out?â
âHe didnât die, did he?â Leonora retorted. âAnd you playing the devoted sonâinâlaw for at week shouldâve been enough to atone for my slipâup, donât you think?â
Listening in, Claraâs fingers tightened around the documents she held, the coldness in her eyes growing more intense by the second.