The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 13

Just because he didn’t have a dad didn’t mean he lacked anyone to teach him right from wrong.

But the clueless driver, apparently overcome with a bout of misplaced compassion, marched over and grabbed Noah by the arm, launching into another unsolicited lecture.

Meanwhile, Ethan had just finished his business and was heading back, only to see his brother being scolded by some middle-aged man. His little face tensed with indignation.

Stomping his foot, Ethan muttered under his breath, “Hmph. If you’re yelling at Matthew, you’re yelling at me.”

A mischievous glint flashed in Ethan’s eyes as he glanced at the nearby sedan. A plan was already forming in his head.

He quickly unpinned the brooch from his shirt and, taking advantage of his small size, crouched low and snuck around to the back of the car.

Noah noticed Ethan squatting beneath the vehicle, clearly up to something, and frowned. He tried to call Ethan over, but the driver wouldn’t let him go.

The driver was relentless—a real “Good Samaritan”—rambling on and on without end.

Finally, Noah couldn’t take it anymore. He interrupted, exasperated, “Sir, you’re awfully talkative.”

“What?” The driver froze, stunned by the kid’s bluntness after all his heartfelt advice.

Something about the boy’s sharp, steely gaze unsettled him. For a moment, it felt as if his own boss was staring back at him.

He suddenly realized—this kid didn’t just look like the CEO, he even had the same intimidating presence.

His boss was notorious for his icy demeanor and iron will; nobody dared cross him.

At that moment, Ethan crawled out from under the car, signaling with his hands for Noah to hurry up.

Catching Ethan’s signal, Noah turned back to the driver. “Sir, may I suggest you see a doctor? People who nag as much as you do often suffer from anxiety, and with the way you keep blinking, you might have a nervous eye condition. You really shouldn’t be driving.”

The driver’s eye twitched. Subconsciously, he reached up to touch his eyelid. He did have a blinking habit—was something actually wrong with him?

“Where have you two been?” she asked, eyeing them curiously.

Ethan jumped in with an innocent smile. “Mom, I really had to pee, so I asked Noah to take me.”

Rebecca looked at Ethan’s wide-eyed, cherubic face, and didn’t question further. “Come on, get in the car. Grandma and Grandpa are waiting for us at home.”

Ethan nodded eagerly and climbed into his seat.

Rebecca handed out ice cream cones to the four kids.

Ethan took his as naturally as if nothing had happened, settling into his booster seat and licking the sweet treat with relish.

Noah opened his mouth, ready to spill what had just happened, but Ethan shot him a warning look, silently begging him to keep quiet. Noah sighed and decided—for now, at least—to hold his tongue.