Female Novel
Chapter 348
Ian's face was stormy as he glared at Leonora, his eyes brimming with barely concealed loathing.With a swift motion, he pushed Leonora aside and wrapped Clara into his arms.
The icy look that had hardened his features melted into tenderness the moment his gaze metClara's. His voice softened, "Clara, I'm sorry. You must have been worried sick."
Clara felt a lump in her throat, her eyes burning with unshed tears. "Ian, you—"
Her words trailed off as she realized she had no strength left. The last bit of energy she had beenmustering up seemed to evaporate. Her body went limp, collapsing into Ian's embrace.
"Clara, Clara," Ian called out urgently, scooping her up and striding towards the hospital roomwithout even casting Leonora a second glance.
Leonora, fuming to the point of grinding her teeth, cursed loudly from behind them, "Ian, Clara'snothing but a jinx, a walking disaster! Everyone around her meets a terrible fate. You stick with herand your luck will run out one day, too. Just mark my words."
Ryker, who had been trailing silently, suddenly spoke with a chilling tone, "If Grandma Rose heardyou cursing her grandson like that, do you honestly think she'd hesitate to kick you out on yourrear?"
Leonora shot him a venomous look. "Mind your own business when it comes to my family!"
"But when you call Ms. Clara a jinx, I can't just stand by. Leonora, you'd better straighten up. If youmess with Clara again, family ties won't stop me from chopping you into pieces."
Leonora let out a scornful laugh. "What kind of spell has that little bitch cast on you to have youdogs fighting for her? She's just like her mother, trash to the core!"novelbin
Her words were laced with such venom. It was as if she wanted to rip Clara apart.
Ryker's face twitched with anger, his dark eyes swirling with an unmistakable threat. He raised hisarm and slapped Leonora across the face. "Ian might not lay a hand on you, but that doesn't mean Iwon't!"
Leonora's usually pale cheek flared red from the impact. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner ofher mouth, ruining her perfect makeup.
Being struck by a Ryker was an unprecedented humiliation. She was livid, her fury nearly chokingher. "Ryker, who gave you the guts to hit me? I'll tear your face apart!"
As she lunged at Ryker, aiming her freshly manicured nails at his handsome face, a sharp crackfrom her knee, followed by searing pain, sent her tumbling to the ground.
She let out an unbearable wail. "Ryker, you're crossing the line! I'll have your father deal with you."
Ryker chuckled dismissively. "Without the Hayes family, you're less than nothing to me!"
He instructed the bodyguard, "Take her back to the mansion. Don't let her out to make a sceneagain."
Leonora was dragged away like a ragdoll.
Ryker entered the hospital room and saw Clara lying pale and still on the bed. His brow furrowedwith concern. "How is she?"
Ian, gently stroking Clara's cheek, replied, "She's just worn out. Hasn't slept properly in days."
"With you gone, she wouldn't," Ryker remarked, noticing the blood seeping through Ian's wound. "I'llhave someone come and redress that for you."
"It's nothing. I won't die from it," Ian said, fatigue seeping into his voice as he watched over Clara.
Ian couldn't fathom how she had managed to endure the past few days, torn between worrying overCasey's illness and his well-being.