Female Novel
Chapter 207
Ian faced Edwin’s tearful plea. There was a fleeting moment when Ian wanted to reveal the harshtruth,but his better judgment warned him that the situation was far more complex than it appeared.
Disclosing the truth to Edwin would inevitably expose Clara to his newfound affections. And thatcould endanger her.
Ian masked his concern and asked nonchalantly, “Have you talked about this with anyone elsebesides me?”
Edwin shook his head. “No one. I didn’t want to tip anyone off.”
“Good thinking. Keep all your emotions in check. Don’t let on that anything’s amiss. If your sister isstill alive, the slightest slip-up could cost her life. You get that?”
“I do. I just can’t come to terms with the fact that the sister I adored for years is the product of mydad’s affair with another woman. Maybe her mother is even the one who had a hand in my mom’sdeath.”
The love Edwin had for Heidi was now replaced by a wrenching pain. The sister he cherishedsuddenly became the daughter of an enemy. The belief that his father loved his mother wasshattered by the revelation of an affair. The happiness Edwin had amassed from childhood hadturned into the very source of his agony.
Ian patted his shoulder and asked gravely, “Is it Cindy?”
“It’s not her. I’ve checked the DNA between her and Heidi. There’s no match.”
Cindy was Paolo’s current wife. If it wasn’t her, then who could it be?novelbin
A name flashed in Ian’s mind: Victoria. If Clara was truly the heiress of the Campbell family, Victoriawas the prime suspect.
The Bell family, over two decades ago, was affluent but not in the league of dynasties. It wasn’tbeyond the realm of possibility that Victoria had switched babies to secure her daughter’s future.
With this thought, Ian messaged Dawson, instructing him to compare Victoria’s and Heidi’s DNA.
Just then, Chase’s call came through. His voice bubbled with excitement, “Ian, you’re missing outon a wedding. If you don’t show soon, you’ll miss the show.”
The groom was part of their social circle, but Ian usually avoided such events. “I’m not that free,” heresponded coolly, about to end the call.
However, Chase’s mischievous laughter stopped him. “Aren’t you curious about Clara’s recentstreak of luck with men?”
“What did you say?” Ian’s heart skipped at the mention of Clara.
Chase teased, “You got rid of Anders and opened a race club for Ryker, thinking you’ve chasedaway all the men around Clara. But guess what? There’s a new guy, even more impressive than theother two. Seems like Clara’s love life is blooming, huh?”
After saying that, he sent Ian a live video feed.
Ian felt his composure slip away. Clara, as a bridesmaid, was performing a duet with the best manfor the newlyweds. The man stared at her with a gaze full of deep affection and longing.
Being a man himself, Ian knew what that look meant. From such a brief clip, he could tell this guyhad designs on Clara.
He stood up abruptly and ordered coldly, “Keep an eye on him. I’m on my way.”
...
Clara and the best man had just finished a heartfelt rendition of “The Roof”, a song she adored forits romantic lyrics.
As the song ended, the room erupted in applause. The best man, ever the gentleman, offered hishand to escort Clara off the stage.