No Strings Attached

Chapter 234

Brodie could recall with crystal clarity the days when Clara used to prance around in her overalls and her hair in pigtails. On her back was a birthmark resembling a petal, identical to the one she had. The little girl would often tell him that if they ever got separated, he could find her just by looking for that mark.

Brodie's brow furrowed slightly. Life couldn't possibly be that coincidental.

But then again, considering the string of bizarre incidents Clara had been entangled in lately, he couldn't help but entertain the notion that she might have been switched at birth.

He masked his concern with a nonchalant tone. "Alright, I'll look into it when I get back."

Chief Fox raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You're agreeing just like that? They want to meet you over dinner, and you should know the specifics." Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

"No need. I've got a better idea of what's going on than they do," Brodie said, grabbing his things and making a swift exit.

He had this nagging feeling—if this was for real, Clara might be in danger yet again.

---

The weekend rolled around.

When Clara got home, she found Sasha sprawled on the couch, munching on potato chips and browsing through videos without a care in the world, seemingly unaffected by being cut from the cast.

Upon seeing Clara, Sasha jumped up and enveloped her in a tight hug, planting two kisses on her cheek.

"Clara, you're finally back! I'm starving. What's on the menu tonight?"

Clara dangled the shopping bags before Sasha's eyes, "Sauerkraut ribs, spicy crab, braised pork belly, plus a few side dishes."

Sasha gleefully took the bags, her voice bubbling with excitement. "You're the best, Clara. All my favorites! How about we just stick together from now on? Women need to stand by each other."

As Clara stepped into the kitchen, placing the fish in the sink, she said, "Look at the mess you're in because of me. Of course, I've got to make you something delicious to make up for it."

"Don't say that," Sasha retorted as she followed Clara into the kitchen. "Even if Heidi hadn't booted me from the show, I was so done with it. The lead actress, Sonya, was making my life hell, constantly making me run her errands. Do you know who she really is? Heidi's cousin. They're all in cahoots, not a decent one among them."

The more Sasha thought about Sonya deliberately ruining her costume and making her scrub the floor on her knees, the angrier she got. She had swallowed her pride for the sake of survival, but they had pushed her too far, framing her for tampering with props and injuring Sonya. They kicked her out, deleted all her scenes, and withheld her salary.

As Clara's eyes remained downcast, she chopped the vegetables with a steady hand, but her heart ached.

If it weren't for her, Heidi wouldn't be targeting Sasha, who wouldn't have lost this hard-earned role.

"Don't worry," Clara said with a small smile. "I won't let them sling mud at you without consequence. I'm already looking into it, and I'll find out who's behind this."

"Wow, having a lawyer friend sure is amazing. My fierce Clara, I adore you!" Sasha exclaimed before planting a smacking kiss on her cheek.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"It might be Ryker," Clara said immediately. "Go check, will you?"

"Oh my god, my little hunk is here! Let's see if he's gotten even more handsome," Sasha said with a tinge of excitement as she ran to the door.

But instead of Ryker's expected face, she was greeted by Chase, grinning from ear to ear. Sasha's smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "What do you want, Chase? You're not welcome here."

As she moved to close the door, Chase's laugh echoed playfully, "My dear apprentice, won't you greet your mentor? You're losing your manners."