The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 176

"So, what you're saying is—you have no proof?"

Rebecca let out a cold laugh. She had tried reasoning with Mrs. Austin, but now, she realized there was no point trying to talk sense into someone who refused to listen.

"Mrs. Austin, you're being utterly unreasonable! Just because you have some baseless suspicion, you want to pin a crime on me? If you're free to throw wild accusations around, then what’s stopping me from saying you’re the one spreading rumors and slander?"

For a moment, Mrs. Austin was taken aback by Rebecca’s boldness. But she quickly regained her haughty composure, folding her arms tightly across her chest.

"Don’t try to talk your way out of this," Mrs. Austin snapped, her tone as sharp as ever. "You may not have been caught, but you’re still under suspicion. I’m here to warn you—don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. If you try anything else, don’t blame me for what happens next."

Rebecca refused to back down. She took a step forward, her eyes steady. "Let me say this one last time: without evidence, your words are nothing but slander. If you keep making a scene and twisting the facts, then I won’t bother being polite, either."

Mrs. Austin’s face turned livid. "You—you dare speak to me like this!"

Ignoring Mrs. Austin’s outrage, Rebecca turned her back and walked over to the sofa, sitting down with deliberate calm.

"Mrs. Austin, you’re welcome to come back when you have real evidence. But right now, you’re not welcome here. Please see yourself out."

Mrs. Austin stared at Rebecca’s back, so furious she nearly swooned. "Unbelievable! Has this house lost all sense of order? How dare a girl like you tell me to leave!"

The maids nearby stood frozen, terrified that the argument would spill over onto them.

A bodyguard stepped forward and gently advised, "Ma’am, without evidence, perhaps it’s best to go home for now."

Mrs. Austin knew deep down she had nothing concrete. Backed into a corner, she had no choice but to drop it—for now. Still, she left brimming with resentment.

"Fine, I’ll go!" she barked, glaring at Rebecca. "But if I ever find out you’re behind this, you’ll regret it!" With that, Mrs. Austin stormed out, fuming.

Rebecca called after her coolly, "Take care, Mrs. Austin. I won’t see you out."

Ethan grinned mischievously. "Come with me..."

The four boys dashed off, their footsteps pattering down the hallway as they made a beeline for the backyard.

...

Meanwhile, Mrs. Austin was storming toward the front door, still muttering furiously under her breath. "Rebecca, your day will come."

Just then, a loud chorus of honking broke out nearby.

Mrs. Austin grew even more irritated. "Those geese are driving me mad—can’t anyone shut them up?"

She spun around and glared at the nearest maid. "Who said you could keep those filthy animals around here?"