No Strings Attached

Casey watched his retreating figure and watched Clara with a heart full of sympathy. "Clara, I know you're in pain right now, but isn't lan suffering as well? Maybe taking some time apart is the best choice for both of you."

Clara's tears, which she had been holding back, started streaming down her cheeks. "Dad, why is it that we still have to face this storm after all we've been through? Could it really be, as Heiman said, that without completing our wedding, we'll continue to face trials?"

Casey wrapped her in his arms to comfort her. "Hardships will always pass. It's just that this difficulty is a bit too much. Even someone as capable as lan, coming up against several of Europe's wealthiest families, finds himself stretched too thin."

Clara looked up at him. "Dad, if we all leave him, won't he be even more distressed? How will he save Katherine, and how will he save his grandpa?"

She couldn't bear to imagine how much pain lan would feel if they parted ways. He wouldn't be able to see his wife or his child. Ian had always been looking forward to the birth of that little life.

Casey sighed helplessly. "Clara, don't think about these things anymore. You're going to give birth in a month, so you need to keep your spirits high, alright? I made your favorite mini lasagna. Let's see if it's as delicious as what Katherine makes."

Elsewhere.

lan sat in his office chair while Roger and Chase sat on the sofa. The three of them faced each other, all with heavy expressions.

After a long time, lan finally spoke. "Neither of your families should get involved. I've already implicated the Yorks and the Campbells, and I don't want to drag you into this as well."

Roger argued back, "That's not fair. Eddie can help you, so why can't we? Are you looking down on us?"

Chase chimed in, "Even if our families don't have as much power as the Yorks, together, we should still be of some use. We can't just watch you get knocked down. We've never done that since we were kids." "Right, we've always faced things together."

lan's cold gaze met theirs. "Facing

this means death, don't you understand? Even the powerful

Yorks can't withstand it, let alone your families. Connor wants to eliminate all the powers around me, ensuring I can't make I comeback.

My mother and grandfather are in his grasp, and I can't confront him directly. We need a long-term plan for this."

"And what about you? You might not let us get involved, but what about the Yorks and the Campbells? They are Clara's family. You're not planning to divorce Clara to keep them out of this, are you? lan, if you really leave Clara, I think Sasha will explode on you."

Chase was frustrated and lit a cigarette.

As they were discussing strategies, Dawson burst into the room. His expression was tense as he announced, "Mr. Hayes, there's been a problém. Miss Greta has been detained by the local police aboard. She was accused of stealing national secrets and is now being held at the local police station for questioning."

Hearing this, lan froze.

He had sent Greta to sell off some assets, but he never expected Connor to use such a method to detain her. That country was Connor's stronghold, so a rescue would be extremely difficult.

It seemed the battle was becoming more and more severe.

lan pondered for a long while, then said, "Arrange a flight for me. I need to save her."Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.