No Strings Attached

lan's quick reflexes had him pulling Clara behind him in a swift motion before he kicked Heidi's wheelchair with a forceful thrust.

The chair tipped over from the impact. Heidi tumbled out, rolled several times on the ground, and ended up in a heap. Her pain was vocalized through groans.

lan immediately turned to Clara, his eyes filled with concern. "Clara, are you alright? Did you get hurt?"

Clara shook her head. "No, just a bit startled. The baby got a fright, though."

"Maybe we should have a doctor check just to be sure."

"It's okay. The baby can handle a little scare. You should check on Heidi."

By now, Heidi was restrained by the bodyguards, sitting trapped in her wheelchair like a cornered animal. Ian strode over, bending down to look at her. His gaze was icy, and his voice was devoid of sympathy. "Heidi, do you know why I paid for your treatment? Because you haven't yet faced the consequences of your actions. Now that you're better, it's time you went to prison to reunite with your biological mother."

At his words, Heidi panicked. She shook her head vigorously, pleading, "No... Ian, I... I can't take care of myself. I can't go there."

lan scoffed. "Where else would you go? Both your parents are in prison. I'm sure they'll take good care of you. It will be a nice family reunion."

He stood up and turned to his assistant. "Send her to prison. Have Anders file charges against her. I want her to spend the rest of her life there."

Dawson responded immediately, "Understood. I'll take care of it."

Two guards dragged Heidi away. Her howls drew a crowd of onlookers.

Clara sighed at the scene unfolding before them. "If she hadn't caused this scene today, would you have let her go?"

lan gently caressed her head. "No. I will never forget what she did to you. I just wanted her to recover fully so she couldn't use illness as an excuse to escape again."

Clara lowered her gaze. "Why do some people never learn their lesson? Heidi is like that, and so is Leonora. Like mother, like daughter."

"Let's forget about them and go home," lan suggested.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Hand in hand, they left the hospital.

Meanwhile, Heidi was taken to prison, a grotesque figure in a wheelchair, drawing curious looks from everyone.

Someone recognized Heidi. "That's

the woman who escaped from

prison and tried to kill Clara. She

е

ended up burned beyond recognition. Talk about a failed attempt at revenge." S

Laughter erupted among the onlookers.

Already furious, Heidi tried to ram her wheelchair into them but was stopped by a strong woman who kicked the chair over and followed through with a barrage of punches and kicks.

Just then, Leonora, who was being brought in for questioning,

recognized her daughter despite the burns. She had seen Heidi's photo

on lan's phone. Those eyes were unmistakable.

Leonora rushed over, falling to her knees, pleading, "Stop, please stop! She won't survive much more."

The crowd noticed Heidi's bruises and halted. "You know this cripple?" they pointed at Leonora.

Leonora nodded frantically. "Yes, I do."

"Fine, then take care of her. And make sure she doesn't make a mess here, or it'll be worse next time."

"I will. I'll take care of her!"