No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 361

"Somebody's trying to cash in on the chaos, and it looks like they have bigger plans."

Hearing the analysis, Brodie furrowed his brow. "Keep Clara safe. They're probably after her."

Teo glanced up at Brodie and felt an odd sense of familiarity in his features. If it weren't for the fact that he'd never had a real relationship with any woman outside his marriage, he'd think Brodie was his own flesh and blood. With a hint of surprise, Teo asked cautiously, "How come your mother has this phobia of hospitals?" He trod lightly, knowing he was venturing into personal territory.

Brodie's eyes darkened, his face expressionless. "When she was young, she trusted the wrong guy and got betrayed by a lowlife. She got burned in a fire, and then someone tried to take her out. Waking up in a hospital bed covered in injuries became too common. That's how she developed the phobia."

Teo felt a sharp pang in his heart upon hearing this. It wasn't hard to piece together the kind of hell Brodie and his mother had been through. The kind of pain probably never faded.

Grinding his teeth, Teo spat out, "That scumbag deserves to be torn apart for betraying such a kind soul. What a piece of garbage."

Brodie's calm demeanor belied the fierce determination in his voice. "I'm on it. Once I find him, there will be no mercy."

The seemingly tranquil eyes hid an unmistakable ruthlessness that stung Ian's own gaze. He had the unsettling feeling that Brodie was hinting at something more.

In the midst of their conversation, the doors to the emergency room swung open.

A young nurse stepped out and called, "The patient is too agitated to proceed with surgery. We need a family member to calm her down."

Without a second's hesitation, Brodie rushed into the operating room. The sight of his mother thrashing about in a frenzy brought tears to his eyes. He moved to her side, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. "Mom, it's alright. It'll be over soon."