No Strings Attached novel Chapter 8

"Ms. Heidi, the lounge next door has got some snacks and refreshments. I've asked Nicole to keep you company," Dawson offered with a welcoming smile.

With a gleam of sincerity in her eyes, Heidi looked at Dawson earnestly. "I've heard such good things about Ms. Clara. I was hoping she could join me."

"Sorry, Ms. Clara is the President's Chief Secretary. She's needed in the meeting," Dawson replied. He wasn't born yesterday. The boss had been at odds with Ms. Clara these past few days. If he let her stir the pot, would the two ever patch things up?

Heidi's smile didn't waver. "Is that so? I've heard she makes an excellent cup of coffee. Could you ask her to brew one for me?"

Ian's handsome face clouded over with a hint of frost, his dark eyes growing stormy. Clara was his, not someone to be summoned at whim. Yet, the thought of Clara wanting to leave had him seething. It seemed he had been indulging her too much.

With a cold tone, he instructed, "Do as she asks."

Dawson stared at Ian for a good ten seconds before heaving a resigned sigh internally. 'Mr. Hayes, you're having your current flame wait on your ex. Do you realize this could cost you your relationship?'

Dawson reluctantly led Heidi away.

Clara was at her desk organizing documents for the meeting when Dawson tapped on her workspace. "Ms. Clara, Mr. Hayes wants you to bring Ms. Heidi a cup of coffee in lounge 02."

Clara looked up, her response cool and collected. "Sure, in a moment."

After tidying up her materials, she headed to the pantry. She took out a bag of coffee beans from the cabinet and began grinding them in the coffee machine. As she prepared to brew, a petite figure sidled up beside her. Her expression remained neutral. "Ms. Heidi, the coffee will be ready in five minutes."

Heidi's seemingly innocent face twisted into a sneer. "Ddoesn't it strike you as odd to see me here?"

Without pausing her task, Clara’s gaze remained lowered, focused on her work. Her voice was even. "There's no shortage of women throwing themselves at Mr. Hayes every day. I see nothing strange here."

"Don't you get it?" Heidi's voice took on a chilling edge. "Ian's only with you because you look so much like me. He's never cared for you. You've been nothing but a stand-in for me. Now that I'm back, it's time for the understudy to exit stage left."

Clara poured the hot water into the coffee cup, the aroma filling the pantry. She inhaled the scent with pleasure and asked with a smile, "Italian beans have a nice kick. How sweet do you like your coffee, Ms. Heidi?"

Heidi felt like she had punched a pillow, her anger deflated. Fists clenched, she seethed. "Clara, drop the act. You're with Ian for the money, right? Here’s a check for ten million. Please disappear from his life promptly."

Clara masked her inner turmoil with a carefree demeanor, casually dropping a sugar cube into the coffee and stirring with practiced ease. Her tone was casual, dismissive. "I hear you've been under the weather. You should probably save that money for your medical bills. It’d be such a pity if you didn't make it to the altar with Ian, wouldn't it?"

"Clara, you—" Heidi gritted her teeth in fury. She had underestimated how tough Clara would be to deal with. With venom in her eyes, Heidi grabbed the coffee from the table and flung it at Clara.

The scalding liquid arced gracefully through the air, heading straight for Clara's face.