No Strings Attached

Chapter 170

11:02

Following Anders‘ car, the two arrived at a local upscale diner known for its prime rib and cheesecake.

With the grace of an old–school gentleman, Anders opened the car door for Clara, his smile warm and charming. “Clara, my grandparents are eager to meet you. They’ve been waiting here for quite a while.”

Clara didn’t decline. Instead, she offered a light smile, “During my investigation, they were a huge help. I really should pick up a little something to show my gratitude.”

“No need for gifts. Just join them for dinner,” Anders insisted.

Together, they entered the diner and were immediately greeted by two silver–haired seniors.

Anders‘ grandma immediately took Clara’s hand with a beaming smile, “You must be Clara. Such a beauty! You and our Anders are a match made in heaven.”

Clara greeted them politely, “Ma’am, sir, thank you for your assistance. Please, allow me to treat you to dinner tonight.”

Anders‘ grandma playfully scolded, “Ma’am? Call us grandma and grandpa, it’s so much cozier,”

Clara glanced at Anders. She hadn’t yet responded to his advances. Wasn’t it a bit presumptuous to address them so intimately?

With a smile, Anders said, “Even as friends, it’s not too much to call them grandma and grandpa.”

Clara chuckled softly, acquiescing with a gentle, “Grandma, grandpa, nice meeting you.”

The two elders were thrilled. Grandma Dolan immediately took off her bracelet and, before Clara could react, she slipped it onto Clara’s wrist.

“Clara, dear, this is a little something from me to you. Don’t think it’s too much. It’s been passed down through generations.”

Clara tried to refuse, “This is too precious. I can’t accept it.”

Grandma Dolan feigned offense, “If you don’t accept it, you’re spurning this old lady.”

“Grandma, how could I…” Clara’s protestations were cut short as Anders whispered in her ear, “Just accept it for now. You can always take it off later, don’t upset them.”

Reluctantly, Clara gave in. It seemed it was time to seriously consider her relationship with Anders.

Watching from a nearby table, lan observed the entire exchange. Seeing Clara with the bracelet Anders‘ grandma gave her, he was fuming.

lan pointed at Clara, reproachfully muttering, “That foolish woman, can’t she see she’s falling right into Anders‘ trap? That bracelet is clearly a family heirloom. Wearing it is as good as acknowledging a relationship with Anders. I have to remind her.”

Dawson grabbed the lan’s arm, “Mr. Hayes, it might not be wise to intervene. It might only push Attorney Clara further away.”

“What am I supposed to do, then? That silly woman is being conned and she doesn’t even see it.”

“How do you know Attorney Clara is being conned? What if she’s considering a future with Attorney Anders?”

The words hit lan like a knife to the chest, his fingers trembling slightly. Was Clara really thinking of being with Anders? Did she no longer want him?

These thoughts weighed on lan like a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe. She was his woman, the one she loved was always him. How could she possibly be with someone else?

At that moment, lan’s gaze landed on a little boy about two years old, who had been hiding in a corner, sneakily watching Anders.

The boy’s eyes were bright and clear, but lan could see a certain undeniable longing in them.

lan’s

eyes narrowed slightly. Looking from Anders to the boy, a strange idea began to form in his mind.

lan whispered something in Dawson’s ear. Dawson’s eyes widened in disbelief, looking at him as if he’d heard the most preposterous thing.

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