The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 250

Disappointment flickered across Emily’s face.

“No matter,” Crystal spat, her eyes glinting with malice. “If this plan doesn’t work, I’ll think of something else. And if all else fails, I’ll just pin the blame on her, one way or another.”

Emily nodded, jaw clenched. “Exactly. We can’t just let her get away with this. We have to find a way to ruin her—make sure she’s disgraced beyond repair.”

Ever since she’d ended up in the hospital after being attacked, Emily had blamed Rebecca. All she could think about was making Rebecca pay.

They talked a little longer before Emily handed Crystal an apple.

Crystal looked around the hospital room, searching for a knife to peel the apple. Oddly, there wasn’t one to be found. Just as she was about to give up, her hand brushed something at the bottom of her purse—a knife.

She blinked, confused. She was certain she hadn’t left home with any kind of blade. Frowning, she tried to remember if she’d absentmindedly tossed it in there, but nothing came to mind. Shrugging off the oddity, she pulled out the knife and began to peel the apple as if she’d done it a thousand times before.

Her movements were smooth and practiced, so natural it was almost as if the sharp, gleaming knife was merely an ordinary fruit paring knife.

But as Crystal sliced away the apple skin, Emily’s eyes went wide. The sight of Crystal expertly peeling the apple with that very knife made her whole body go cold.

Especially when she caught a glimpse of the ornate pattern on the blade—a pattern she recognized all too well. Emily began to shake, her mind flashing back to the moment she’d been attacked, to the pain she felt as the knife sliced across her face.

It was this knife. The same distinctive blade that had left its mark on her skin.

Emily stared at Crystal in disbelief, her teeth chattering with fear. Shock and terror churned inside her. She’d never imagined that the person who’d ordered the attack was Crystal. And now, Crystal was sitting right in front of her, pretending to be innocent.

After cutting the apple into neat slices, Crystal handed a piece to Emily. “Here, have some apple. It’s good for you.”

Emily watched her go, her pulse pounding. Her palms were slick with sweat. Relief washed over her as Crystal stepped out.

But just as Emily allowed herself to relax, the door swung open again.

She flinched, dread tightening her chest. Crystal was back.

Emily stared, her voice trembling. “C-Crystal, why are you back?”

Crystal’s face was unreadable. “I forgot my bag.”

She strode to the bedside, grabbed her purse, and, as she did, her hand brushed against the knife. Without a second thought, she slipped it back inside and walked out, leaving Emily alone with the echoes of her fear.