No Strings Attached novel (Sharp and Clara’s)

Chapter 38

“I've covered the debt for you, lan said, “but if you lay a hand on her again, don't expect me to show any mercy just because we're blood.”

The major project that Casey was involved in had always been under the supervision of his mother. It wasn't until things went south that lan realized it was all a trap set by her.

Leonora had lured Casey in, then orchestrated a leak of information from him. Her goal was nothing short of driving the Bell family to bankruptcy and putting Casey behind bars. The true reason behind his mother's machinations was still a mystery to lan. If it was all about some old flame between Victoria and his father, it seemed far-fetched. So, lan dug into his mother's accounts and uncovered her embezzlement of charity funds.

The Hayes family had always been pillars of philanthropy. If his father, who was abroad, caught wind of this, he'd divorce Leonora without a second thought.

Leveraging this dirt, lan managed to wrest control of the project from his mother, taking charge himself.

Clara, unruffled, replied, “Perhaps you have a suggestion for what to do now, Ms. Leonora?” Leonora’s temper flared, “You're the chief secretary. It's not my job to fix your mistakes. If you can't handle this, maybe you're not cut out for the position.”

Clara smiled lightly, “In my three years as Mr. Hayes’ chief secretary, I've never had such an oversight. To judge me before we know the facts seems rather unfair, doesn't it?”

The shareholders, who had always admired Clara, spoke up in her defense, “Ms. Clara has always been competent. A rare mistake is understandable. Nobody's perfect.”

Leonora held back her criticism and watched with a cold gaze, “Go and find it. Don't disappoint me."

Clara, along with the executive office team, searched high and low to no avail. Just as everyone was at their wits’ end, a janitor approached, holding a document.

“Ms. Clara, is this what you're looking for?” she asked. “I found it in the trash can of the restroom. I think Ms. Heidi threw it away.”

Taking the document from her, a chill flickered across Clara's eyes.

Heidi, again!