The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 113

After some time, the terrified maid finally managed to collect herself. Still trembling, she stumbled into the kitchen, her eyes unfocused and her hands fumbling as she carried the food into the dining room.

Inside, Mrs. Austin and Garcia were in high spirits, chatting away as they waited. The moment the maid set the dishes on the table, they couldn’t help but dig in.

Mrs. Austin speared a piece of food with her fork, popped it into her mouth, and nodded approvingly as she chewed. “Hmm, not bad at all. Garcia, you have to try this.”

Garcia accepted a serving with a smile and took a couple of bites, though something about the taste felt a little off. But Mrs. Austin’s enthusiasm was infectious—she kept piling more meat onto Garcia’s plate, so Garcia had no choice but to keep eating, offering compliments with every mouthful.

The two women ate heartily, completely unaware that anything was amiss.

A few minutes later, the butler strolled in, his expression odd and hesitant, as if struggling with what to say.

Mrs. Austin noticed immediately and shot him a sharp look. “What is it? If you have something to say, just spit it out!”

The butler hesitated, then braced himself and said, “Mrs. Austin, Miss Garcia, the food you’re eating… it’s, uh… it’s dog… dog food.”

The women froze, forks suspended in midair, their faces draining of color.

Garcia’s jaw dropped. She still had a mouthful she hadn’t managed to swallow, her eyes wide with shock and outrage.

“What?!” Mrs. Austin slammed her fork onto the table, nearly shouting. “What did you just say? How could this possibly be dog food?”

The maid, startled by Mrs. Austin’s outburst, dropped to her knees, pleading in a panic. “Please, ma’am, have mercy! It was a mistake, I swear! I didn’t mean to—I have no idea how the golden retriever’s food ended up on your dinner plates…”

Mrs. Austin scowled. “Are you sure this is dog food?”

Mrs. Austin’s nerves were fraying from the incessant barking. She snapped at the dog, “Enough! Quiet! You’re driving me crazy!”

But the golden retriever paid no attention. Seeing its pleas go ignored, it barked even louder, pawing frantically at the floor as if ready to leap onto the table and reclaim its prize.

In a panic, Garcia tossed the rib onto the table.

The golden retriever lunged forward, snatched the bone in its jaws, and began gnawing away, casting a triumphant glance at everyone—as if to say, “See? This is mine.”

Garcia’s face turned ashen. She felt utterly humiliated.

Mrs. Austin was shaking with rage. She pointed a trembling finger at the maid and shouted, “You fool! How could you mess up something so important? What on earth are you good for?”