No Strings Attached

The next day, Clara opened her eyes to find that lan had already left her side. It seemed she was gradually getting used to his absences.

She knew he had a lot on his plate, and she was well aware of the enormous struggles he faced. She was even more aware of his constant deliberation over whether or not to leave her. After more than three years together, how could she not understand what was going through lan's mind?

Given the current situation, for the safety of lan's grandfather and Katherine, lan couldn't retaliate directly. He had to step back for now, waiting for the right opportunity to strike decisively.

However, Connor, fearing a counterattack, began to draw international forces against the power backing lan. This put her own family in jeopardy. As long as she and lan separated and the York and Campbell families ceased to stand with him, they could avoid disaster.

But what about lan? How could he possibly stand against Connor's formidable Devil's Claw alone?

Thinking of this, Clara's eyes brimmed with tears. Yet, she managed a smile, gently stroking her belly and softly saying, "Baby, your daddy will surely get through this, right? We shouldn't leave him." She got up from the bed and went to freshen up in the bathroom.

As she came downstairs, she saw the Campbell family's butler standing in the hall, seemingly with urgent news. Clara immediately approached him and asked, "What's happened? Is there an emergency?" The butler seemed troubled and said, "Miss, I know it's not the best time to bother you, but I didn't know who else to turn to. The Campbell family is facing an unprecedented financial crisis. Our funding has dried up, and international shipments of spare parts have halted. This has caused our factories to stop production. We're unable to fulfill a vast number of orders and are facing huge compensation claims. Several shareholders can't cope and have banded together, threatening suicide. Now, we are overwhelmed, and the pressure from the media is immense."

Clara wasn't overly shocked by the news; she had anticipated as much. She calmly asked, "How big is the Campbell family's financial shortfall?" "It's over fifty billion for now, and it's likely to increase if this continues."

Clara glanced at Casey and said in an even tone, "Dad, my wedding gift should be around thirty billion, right? Let's use it to help my brother out for now." Hearing her suggestion, Casey immediately objected, "Clara, that's your wedding gift. We can't touch that."

"But the Campbell family is in trouble now, and I can't just stand by. This crisis is partly my fault."

"Clara, if lan finds out, he'll be devastated."All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.

"We won't tell him, so he won't know."

Casey sighed, went upstairs, and came back down with a card, handing it to the butler. "Here's thirty billion. Take it to Eddie. It might just solve the immediate crisis."

The butler hesitated, repeatedly

refusing, Mr. Casey, I can't accept this. I came to ask the miss for a way to persuade Mr. Edwin to cut ties with the Hayes family. If he does this, the crisis could be averted."

Clara smiled faintly, "Cutting ties with the Hayes family means either divorcing lan and never interacting again or me leaving the Campbell family. Do you think my brother would do that?"

The butler knowing well the temperament of Edwin, bowed his head in resignation. Regardless of the marital ties with the Hayes family, as friends who grew up together, Edwin wouldn't abandon

lan.

He sighed and said, "Then I'll accept this money for now. Once the Campbell family gets through this crisis, we'll have Mr. Edwin repay you."