No Strings Attached

Chapter 385

Chase furrowed his brow, looking at her incredulously. "The guy's a vegetable, and you're crying a Amanda? It's not like he's your husband. Anyone would think you two had a fling or something." His words carried a tang of jealousy.

Sasha, fuming, couldn't help but kick him again. "Chase, would it kill you to shut up? With a mouth that's just begging for a punch, how are you still alive? How come no one's knocked you out yet?"

Chase's laugh was devilishly charming. "If I were dead, who'd be around to rile you up? Wouldn't you miss that?"

Sasha felt like she was about to cough up blood. She was convinced she and this infuriating man were destined to be at odds.

She shot Chase a glare and scoffed dismissively. "My brain's not waterlogged. Why would I waste my sympathy on you?"

With that, she walked over to Clara, taking her hand. "Clara, you just relax. I'll play my part to the hilt and make sure those bad apples buy the whole act."

Sasha wasn't just talking big. As soon as she left the hospital room, her previously calm face was streaked with tears. Walking and lamenting, she said, "Why does Clara have to have it so rough? Just when they finally got together, Ian ends up like this. What if he never comes to? Clara might end up a widow for life."

Chase, watching her get into character so quickly, couldn't help but find it amusing. But he played along, his face mirroring a look of sorrow. "Don't worry. I'll get Ian the best doctors and make sure he comes around. Not for the Hayes family's sake - just for Clara. Isn't that enough?"

"But his brain's practically gone. Even a miracle worker couldn't save him now."

"In that case, we'll just have to clutch at straws. As long as there's a sliver of hope, we've got to try."

They continued their conversation as they stepped into the elevator, unaware that a janitor had been eavesdropping the whole time.

Before long, the news reached the man in the suburban mansion. A sly smile spread across his face. "You sure about this?"

"Boss, I swear it's the truth. The Hayes family's been coming to visit non-stop, each leaving in tears."

The man's eyes narrowed slightly. "Find a way to get a look inside. I'm worried there's a trick to this."

His assistant spoke with caution. "Boss, Crimson Manor's a wreck. How could Ian have survived? We're lucky to have a body to bury at all. We can finally move on to the next phase of our plan."

"Can't afford to be careless. Ian's not someone to be underestimated. Send Leonora in to probe around."

"Understood."

Sasha and Chase got into the car, her tears still flowing.

Chase caught a glimpse of her and laughed with a roguish charm, forgetting his earlier solemnity. "Alright, cut it out. The show's over now, and there's no audience here. Why the endless waterworks? Are an actor's tears really that cheap?"

Chase's words instantly reminded Sasha of the time he had suspected her of being pregnant, looking at her profession through prejudiced eyes. She couldn't believe how much he despised her line of work. Not only did he misjudge her personal life, but he also looked down on her profession.

Without even bothering to wipe her tears, Sasha glared at Chase with a fiery fury. "Chase, if you despise what I do so much, you don't have to demean yourself by driving me home. I can take a cab. No need for your charity!" She got out of the car and hobbled toward the hospital exit.

Chase cursed under his breath and smacked his lips in frustration. He was about to drive after Sasha when his path was blocked, and a soft, honeyed voice reached his ears. "Hey, could you give me a lift? My car's broken down."Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.