The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 254

After the wealthy lady finished speaking, she looped her arm through Mrs. Olson’s and swept away with her.

Watching Mrs. Olson—the biggest fish in the pond—slip through her fingers, Crystal clenched her jaw in frustration. These society women were so shallow, she thought bitterly. All they cared about was pedigree and reputation, never the actual merit of a project. Still, she couldn’t afford to lose her temper here, so she swallowed her irritation and forced a brittle smile.

“A bunch of fools with no vision. Just wait until I make it big—then they’ll be the ones fawning over me!”

Not far away, Evan stifled a laugh behind his hand. “She really is clueless, isn’t she? Does she honestly think just having a pitch in her hand is enough to make anyone want to work with her?”

Aiden chimed in, “If you want to make connections, you’ve got to build relationships first. That doesn’t happen in a day. Even I know that—and I’m only four!”

Noah, with a knowing look, added, “Looks like we won’t even have to do anything tonight. No one’s going to help her anyway.”

There was a note of certainty in his tone, as if he’d already foreseen Crystal’s failure.

Evan glanced at him. “So what do we do now?”

Noah’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Follow me. I have an idea.”

Without hesitation, Aiden and Evan hurried after him.

Meanwhile, Ethan—always the foodie—was happily munching on a chocolate truffle, the rich chocolate and velvety texture making him beam with delight. He’d gotten it all over his mouth in the process.

Just then, a woman’s gaze was drawn to Ethan by how adorable he looked. She was strikingly beautiful, with chiseled features and eyes that sparkled like stars. She wore a chic, understated cocktail dress that made her stand out in the crowd.

Ethan reached for another chocolate truffle, but it was just out of his grasp. He stretched on tiptoe, a look of urgency on his cherubic face.

At that moment, the woman stepped forward and gently handed the treat to him.

Ethan turned to see the kind, pretty lady and immediately piped up, “Thank you!”

She laughed softly. “Snuck in? Why did you have to sneak in?”

Ethan tilted his head, thinking it over. “Because we have something really important to do.”

She was thoroughly amused now. “What’s so important? Can you tell me?”

He hesitated, then shook his head. “It’s a secret. We can’t tell anyone.”

She smiled and let it go, finding him all the more endearing.

Then, Ethan held out a piece of his chocolate truffle to her. “You should try one too—they’re really good!”

His earnestness made it impossible to refuse.