The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 276

Mrs. Austin clenched her jaw. “How am I not supporting them?”

Mrs. Thomson gave a little laugh. “If I’m not mistaken, this is the very first time our two families have actually met since Rebecca and Dylan’s wedding, isn’t it? Honestly, Mrs. Austin, I haven’t seen much support from you. You can’t let your own personal opinions come between the children and their happiness.”

Mrs. Austin snapped, “Oh, please. You know perfectly well what kind of family the Austins are. If you didn’t bother to come visit me, do you really expect me to go out of my way to cozy up to you?”

As their argument grew louder, the old man on the bed finally reached his limit.

He smacked his hand forcefully on the bed frame. “Enough! That’s enough—stop this bickering right now!”

Though his voice was frail, it carried undeniable authority.

Both women fell silent immediately, not daring to say another word.

Jacob, seeing that things were about to spiral out of control, quickly stepped forward and took Mrs. Austin’s arm, quietly urging her to calm down.

But Mrs. Austin was too riled up to let it go. “What? Am I wrong?”

Dylan stood to the side, watching his mother argue, growing more and more impatient.

“Mom, please, let it go. Mrs. Thomson is right. Work is important, but so is family. Before you expect others to be considerate, maybe look at yourself first.”

Mrs. Austin’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re taking her side instead of mine, Dylan? Your own mother…”

Dylan ignored her unreasonable outburst and turned to the old man. “Grandpa, this is my fault. I promise I’ll find a better balance between my work and my family. I won’t let either side suffer, and I’ll handle my own affairs—I won’t just listen to what anyone else says.”

With that, he turned and left the hospital room.

After Dylan left, Jacob gently steered Mrs. Austin out as well.

Once outside, Mrs. Austin’s face was a storm of displeasure. She felt utterly betrayed—her husband and son, both siding against her, not a single voice speaking up for her.

She turned to Jacob, indignant. “Why did you stop me? I just wanted the Thomsons to understand that Dylan shouldn’t be tied down by family—or by Rebecca.”

Jacob sighed in exasperation. “Don’t be so rash. The old man is right. Family does matter more than work. We can’t only focus on Dylan’s career; his happiness at home counts too.”

Mrs. Austin bristled at that, her dissatisfaction only growing. “His happiness? What happiness can Rebecca possibly bring him? She refuses to give us any grandchildren, and she acts like the world owes her something. Honestly, we should just encourage Dylan to divorce her as soon as possible.”