The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 277

Isabella hurried back inside after gathering the news and went straight to Rebecca. “Rebecca, your husband and in-laws have all left.”

Rebecca immediately let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.”

She quietly slipped out of the clinic, planning to check on her grandfather.

But just as she stepped outside, Dylan appeared—he’d doubled back, and the two nearly collided right at the doorway.

Rebecca’s heart skipped a beat, surprise flickering across her face.

Dylan looked just as startled. He frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on her.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with awkwardness.

Rebecca finally broke the silence, her voice a little tense. “Good afternoon, sir...”

She’d hoped to slip away after a quick greeting, but Dylan stepped closer instead, concern in his voice. “I heard from Director Porter that someone in your family was ill. Are they alright?”

Rebecca faltered, then nodded. “Yes... they’ve woken up now. Much better.”

Dylan nodded in response. “Glad to hear it. Make sure you’re in the office tomorrow.”

Rebecca’s lips twitched. “...Yes, sir.”

Just then, a voice called out behind her. “Mr. Austin!”

Rebecca jumped. Was that... Dennis?

She heard Dennis’s footsteps getting closer and panic flared in her chest.

Dennis had seen her before.

The last thing she wanted was for Dennis to catch her with Dylan—it would only make things more complicated.

Quickly, she blurted out, “Sir, I’ll go check on my family now. See you later.”

Without waiting for a reply, Rebecca hurried off, not daring to look back.

“An employee...” Dennis muttered under his breath. “Didn’t know you had such attractive women working for you, sir...”

The words were barely out when Dylan shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. Dennis snapped to attention, body stiffening.

Realizing his mistake, he ducked his head, not daring to meet Dylan’s eyes. “Sorry, sir, I shouldn’t have said that. What I meant was, she seems very competent and, uh, probably very smart, too. You have great instincts, sir...”

Dennis thought he’d managed to smooth things over.

But Dylan said, “Dennis, don’t forget—when you agreed to work for me, you signed a contract. No dating during working hours.”

“What?” Dennis’s eyes went wide. Did Mr. Austin misunderstand something?

He wondered if Dylan thought he was interested in that beautiful woman just now...

Dylan continued, “You have a lot of potential, Dennis. But if you let your personal life interfere with your work, that would be a real shame. Don’t lose sight of why you started.”

Dennis could only nod, chastened, and silently vow to keep his thoughts to himself from now on.