The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 247

The sharp, piercing voice instantly caught Aiden’s attention. He stopped in his tracks, straining to catch the commotion downstairs.

Within moments, he’d picked up every word of the argument between Crystal and Emma.

Aiden spun around and raced back to the bedroom, eager to share what he’d just overheard with Noah and Ethan.

“Noah! Ethan! The wicked aunt is here—she’s downstairs arguing with Emma!” Aiden blurted out, breathless.

Ethan’s eyes lit up at once. Wiggling his little legs, he piped up, “So, who’s winning?”

“Emma, for now,” Aiden replied, trying to catch his breath.

Ethan grinned. “Not bad! Emma’s tougher than she looks!”

Noah, however, frowned and asked, “What does she want?”

Aiden shook his head, thinking. “I’m not sure, but it sounded like she’s here for Mom.”

Noah’s face grew serious. He paused, then said, “Come on. Let’s go see what’s happening.”

Ethan and Aiden nodded without hesitation, and the three boys quietly made their way toward the staircase.

As they reached the landing, the shouting downstairs became even clearer.

They crept forward and peeked their heads around the corner, cautiously surveying the scene below.

Crystal and Emma stood toe to toe in the foyer, locked in a heated argument, neither willing to back down.

Jack stood awkwardly between them, clearly torn and not sure whom to support.

Just then, Rebecca arrived home with Evan in tow.

The moment they stepped through the door, the tension in the air was palpable.

Once they were gone, Rebecca turned to Crystal, her gaze utterly calm. “Crystal, what brings you here?”

Crystal let out a cold laugh. “What, am I not allowed to visit? If I didn’t come, I’d have no idea what kind of people you keep around here.”

Rebecca’s brow furrowed slightly. She had no interest in arguing, nor the patience to deal with Crystal’s barbed comments. “If you’re here just to pick a fight, you can leave. I have no desire to see you.”

Crystal bristled at Rebecca’s tone. She gritted her teeth and snapped, “You think you’re so special just because Mom, Dad, and our brother always take your side? There’s no one else here now—drop the act.”

Rebecca eyed Crystal’s twisted expression, unable to hide her disgust. “An act? Why would I bother pretending with you?”

Crystal scoffed bitterly. “Oh, don’t play dumb. I know exactly what you’re after. You want to take everything that’s mine.”

Rebecca narrowed her eyes, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “Take? You’ve got it backwards. Everything I have now was mine to begin with. I’ve never stolen a thing from you. But you—after all your scheming, how does it feel to end up with nothing?”

“You—” Crystal was so infuriated by Rebecca’s words that she could only grit her teeth in frustration.