The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 187

Dylan’s voice was calm but firm. “Mr. Olson, the profit share we’re offering is already quite generous. If you demand any more, I’m afraid that’s simply not reasonable.”

Mr. Olson chuckled. “Mr. Austin, business is all about negotiation, isn’t it? If you can’t meet my terms on profits, surely you can sweeten the deal in some other way?”

As the conversation continued, Lionel Olson’s eyes kept drifting to Rebecca.

Dylan focused on outlining the details and advantages of the partnership, but Lionel seemed distracted, barely listening.

Eventually, Lionel interrupted, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Negotiating the deal is one thing, but tell you what, Mr. Austin—if you’d be willing to let this lovely young assistant of yours spend some time with me, well, I daresay we wouldn’t just be business partners. We’d be like family.”

Rebecca bristled with anger, ready to leap up and give the lecherous old man a black eye, but Dylan reached out to stop her.

She bit back her fury and forced herself to sit down again.

Lionel grinned. “So, Mr. Austin, what do you say?”

Dylan looked up, his tone icy. “Mr. Olson, you know the kind of man I am. Business is business, but if you start making advances toward my staff, then we’re not just talking about business anymore.”

Lionel flinched at Dylan’s steely expression. He quickly backpedaled. “Come now, Mr. Austin, don’t take it so seriously. It was just a harmless joke.”

Dylan’s eyes never wavered. “That sort of joke isn’t funny, Mr. Olson. If you’re here to joke around, then maybe we should postpone this negotiation for another day.”

With that, Dylan rose to his feet, and Rebecca hurried to follow.

Mr. Olson’s face darkened, and he called after them, “Mr. Austin, no need to be so hasty! Let’s keep talking this through.”

As the negotiation wrapped up, Mr. Olson glanced at Rebecca. “Miss, it was an honor to play a game with you today.”

Because Dylan hadn’t explicitly refused Lionel’s earlier request, Rebecca’s face was clouded with frustration. She ignored Lionel’s attempt at small talk.

Lionel, rebuffed, awkwardly gathered the signed contract and left the room ahead of the others.

Once he was gone, Rebecca couldn’t hold back any longer. “What was that about, Dylan? Are you honestly going to let me play golf with him again?”

Dylan shot her a glance. “You’re reading too much into it. That’s not what I meant.”

Rebecca wasn’t convinced. “Then why didn’t you say no? If you didn’t mean it, you should have told him outright when he suggested it!”