The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 266

Noah’s words finally calmed the other three kids down.

Meanwhile, Rebecca was a bundle of nerves, desperate to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. The whole drive over, she kept urging the driver to go faster, silently praying that her grandfather would be all right.

When they arrived at the hospital, she rushed inside, her heart pounding as she hurried straight toward her grandfather’s room.

Outside the door, she spotted Crystal standing alone, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. Tears streaked down her face, blurring her makeup, making her look even more disheveled and pitiful.

Crystal paused when she saw Rebecca, as if she wanted to say something, but Rebecca had no time for her. Without a word, she pushed open the door to the hospital room.

Inside, her grandfather lay motionless on the bed, his face pale, his breathing shallow.

George and Mrs. Thomson sat nearby, worry etched into every line of their faces. William was there too, standing quietly to one side. The rest of Rebecca’s brothers had been notified, but they lived too far away to arrive so quickly.

“Dad, how is Grandpa?” Rebecca asked, her voice trembling with anxiety.

George let out a weary sigh. “It isn’t looking good, sweetheart. Your grandfather’s not young anymore. This shock was just too much for him—he’s very weak. We don’t know when he’ll wake up.”

Rebecca felt her own face drain of color. She pressed her lips together, fighting the sting in her eyes. After a moment, she asked, “What exactly happened? How did he end up like this?”

She was desperate for answers. What could Crystal possibly have done to push her grandfather over the edge?

George’s brow furrowed as he recalled the scene. “No one really knows what happened in the study. When your grandfather collapsed, Crystal was the only one in there with him. When she came out, she was acting strange. We went in and found him unconscious.”

William nodded. “Dad, Mom, Becky—stay here with Grandpa. I’ll be right back.”

They all nodded quietly.

William glanced at the old man on the bed, then turned and followed the nurse out.

Rebecca couldn’t just sit and wait. She slipped out after William, determined to confront Crystal and get to the bottom of what had happened.

She wanted to know exactly what Crystal had said to their grandfather to upset him so badly.

Stepping into the hallway, Rebecca spotted Crystal sitting slumped on a chair, her head bowed, lost in thought.