The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 156

Mrs. Austin quickly shook her head. “No, honey, I have no idea who he is.”

In the end, she scolded the old man until he left in a huff. Only then did the whole strange episode come to an end.

But barely a moment later, someone else confessed their feelings to her.

This time it was a lively middle-aged man who rode up on a bicycle, flexed his biceps for her with a goofy grin, and handed her a note. Scrawled on it were his number and a clumsy declaration of affection.

Mrs. Austin was overwhelmed. The whole situation was spiraling out of control, and she started to feel something was definitely off.

She frowned. “What on earth is going on? Why is this happening one after another?”

Jacob, standing nearby, couldn’t help but sneer. “Well, now you know it’s a hassle, huh? Serves you right for flaunting yourself everywhere, dressing up like you’re half your age. Maybe now you’ll finally tone it down.”

Mrs. Austin shot him a glare. “How is this my fault? I have no idea why any of this is happening!”

Jacob let out a dismissive grunt and ignored her.

When they got home, Mrs. Austin collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted and frazzled.

Jacob spoke up. “You should think carefully. Did you offend someone recently?”

Mrs. Austin racked her brain, trying to recall anything unusual. Suddenly a thought flashed through her mind. “Could this be Dylan’s doing?”

Jacob shook his head. “Dylan might not like how you manage things, but he’s not the type for childish pranks. Besides, he’s swamped at work. When would he ever have time for this?”

Tears welled up in Mrs. Austin’s eyes. “You’re calling me ridiculous? After all these years, after everything I’ve done for this family, now this is how you treat me?”

Their argument escalated until Mr. Hugh Austin heard the shouting and hurried over. “What is going on in here? You’re both adults—arguing like this, really? Can’t you talk things through?”

Mrs. Austin pointed at Jacob. “Tell him to talk to me properly! He’s the one with the attitude problem, not me.”

Jacob, now completely exasperated, began pacing the living room. He couldn’t stand Mrs. Austin’s melodrama anymore, so he turned sharply and stormed upstairs.

But in the days that followed, the confessions and harassment didn’t stop. Men of every sort began showing up, disrupting her life so much that Mrs. Austin no longer dared to go out. She spent her days on edge, jumping at every little sound.

“What is happening? Why is this happening to me?” It finally dawned on her—someone had to be targeting her on purpose.