No Strings Attached

Chapter 377

"Ian, the game has only just begun, and the best is yet to come."

His assistant nodded affirmatively. "Boss, this time, we'll hit Hayes Corporation hard. Ian's name will be trashed online, and we can proceed with our plan without a hitch."

A devilish smirk crept across the man's face. "The more Ian wants something, the more I enjoy watching it crumble to dust. I'm really curious to see what he's capable of when it comes to a showdown with me."

With that, he casually lifted his glass and sipped on some cabernet, his eyes glinting with a sinister light.

His grip tightened unwittingly on his unsuspecting thigh. Scenes from years past flickered through his mind.

Just then, the assistant received a call and reported back, "Boss, we've got word that Ian rushed into the inferno to save Leonora."

The man's eyes narrowed slightly. The fire was raging, and yet Ian dared to charge in. Did he have no fear of death?

A cold laugh escaped the man's lips. "If he's so eager to meet his maker, let's help him along. Tell them to fuel the flames."

"Right away, sir," the assistant replied, ready to carry out the order.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Ian had plunged into the blaze, heading straight for Leonora's room, but after searching frantically, there was no sign of Leonora.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

A firefighter grabbed his arm and urged, "Mr. Hayes, there's a gas leak. This place is going to blow any minute, and you need to get out now!"

Ian clenched his jaw in frustration.

The Hayes family estate was built to be fireproof and blast-resistant. It was constructed with the finest materials, and not even a wildfire could threaten its integrity. Plus, the gas valves were designed to switch to protective mode in the presence of fire. There was simply no chance of them leaking.

Unless, of course, someone had deliberately tampered with them.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, that someone might be attempting murder, Ian bellowed into the room, "Leonora, can you hear me? Someone wants you dead. If you don't show yourself, you're going to die here!"

His voice cut through the roar of the flames. Soon after, Leonora's cries for help echoed from the adjacent room. "Ian, I'm here. Get me out!"

Ian kicked the door open to find Leonora with a damp blanket draped over her head, huddled next to the kitchen sink, which was overflowing with water.

He gritted his teeth in realization. She had already figured out a way to save herself but was hiding to avoid detection. Her aim was to let the fire escalate, putting him in peril.

This was his own mother, willing to sacrifice his well-being for her own ends.

Without hesitation, Ian scooped Leonora into his arms. Just then, an explosion from the first floor shook the second, causing the ceiling to sway and walls to crumble.

Shielding Ian, the firefighter, insisted, "Mr. Hayes, the gas line on the first floor has burst, and there's going to be a second explosion. We have to jump from here, hand her to me, and jump first."

Ian, however, sidestepped the offer. "You jump first, and catch her down there," he ordered sternly.

"That's too risky. You won't have a chance to escape."

"Quit arguing and jump!"

Knowing that every second lost could spell disaster, the firefighter dashed through the flames and leaped out.

When he saw that the firefighter was ready to catch Leonora below, Ian dropped her into his waiting arms. As Ian was about to jump from the window, a deafening blast echoed, jolting everyone to the core.