No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 284

Clara froze mid-step as she caught sight of the man's striking features. "Mr. Brodie? What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.

Why did Brodie's profile remind her so much of Ian's? Not only that, their builds and movements were uncannily similar. She'd mistaken two completely unrelated men for one another. If Ian found out, he'd surely be as sour as an overturned jar of pickles.

Brodie offered a gentle curve of his lips. "I've acquired that land. I'm planning to build an eco-friendly farmstead and thought I'd scout the place out."

Clara followed the direction of Brodie's gesture and saw a verdant lake stretching before them.

Nodding in approval, she said, "The lake is surrounded by hills. The environment is really serene, and the water is pristine. You could develop some water attractions. I bet it would be a hit."

Brodie chuckled. "You seem to know quite a bit about development."

"I worked on an eco-estate project with Ian once. It's similar to what you have here."

At the mention of Ian, a shadow crossed Brodie's eyes, and his voice deepened a notch. "Have you two made up?"

Clara smiled and lifted her hand to show off her ring. "He proposed to me. We were going to get our marriage certificate the day before yesterday, but Grandpa Reed took a nasty spill, and we couldn't make it."

Brodie saw the twinkle in her eyes, like when she was a child and had spotted something she adored. A touch of bitterness flickered across his face, but he managed a small smile. "Clara, if Ian's mother had hurt someone you love, would you still stay with him?"

Clara's gaze faltered. "Does my father's kidnapping have something to do with Leonora?"

Brodie pursed his lips, his gaze filled with a pained empathy. "It might be connected, but we don't have enough evidence yet."

Biting her lip in contemplation, Clara's eyes shimmered with restrained emotion. "It's related, but thankfully, my father's unharmed. I won't hold it against Ian. He's his own man. His mother is a different story."

The look in Brodie's eyes intensified further. He wanted to ask her if she would still feel indifferent, knowing it was her mother who was harmed. But seeing Clara's unwavering trust in Ian, he swallowed his words.