The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 160

In the end, Dylan’s patience snapped. His expression darkened. “Then take it out and throw it in the trash.”

If he wants it thrown away, he should do it himself, Rebecca thought. Why make her do it?

She frowned, torn. “But Linda gave this to you. If I throw it away and Linda finds out…”

Dylan cut her off sharply. “Raina, which one of us is the CEO here? When I give you an order, you follow it. Why all the backtalk?”

His voice rose, and suddenly the entire office felt tense and on edge.

Rebecca froze, and then heard Dylan’s cold warning: “There are cameras everywhere. If I don’t see you toss it in the trash myself, you can pack up your things and leave.”

Fine, she thought. Like I care about this job anyway.

But then the faces of the four little ones flashed through her mind—those hopeful eyes, trusting her to build a relationship with their stepdad and bring him home. If she just walked out, how could she explain herself to them?

Yet, every time she looked at Dylan’s frosty face, any desire to bond with him evaporated.

“Go,” Dylan said, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Rebecca gritted her teeth, grabbed the afternoon snack, and left the office.

Just as she was about to toss it in the trash, Linda stormed over, her face flushed with anger. “Raina, what do you think you’re doing? Isn’t that the snack I brought for the CEO?”

Linda’s eyes were wide, a mix of fury and disbelief.

Rebecca hesitated for a second but decided to be honest. “Linda, the CEO… he told me to throw this away.”

But Linda wasn’t having it. She shouted, “Liar! Raina, you’re doing this on purpose! You pretend not to like the CEO, but behind his back you’re sabotaging my gifts? That’s so petty!”

Rebecca took a deep breath to steady herself. “Linda, whether you believe me or not, this was the CEO’s decision. I have no reason to do this otherwise.”

“You’re still making excuses!” Linda shot back, relentless. “You’ll get what’s coming to you, Raina!”

Just then, Director Porter walked over. “What’s all this shouting? This is a workplace, not a marketplace.”

At the sight of Director Porter, Linda finally reined herself in a bit, though she was still fuming. “Director Porter, Raina threw away the snack I brought for the CEO!”

Director Porter frowned and turned to Rebecca. “What happened?”

Rebecca explained the situation from start to finish.

Director Porter’s frown deepened. His tone became stern as he turned on Linda. “Linda, instead of doing your job, you spend all day scheming. The CEO was giving you a warning today, and you still can’t see it? If you can’t even understand the CEO’s wishes, what use are you to this company? If this happens again, you won’t have a job here.”