The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 28

George stopped in his tracks.

Everyone froze.

No one looked more upset than Crystal.

She never imagined Rebecca would actually say yes...

At the dinner table, the kids paused mid-bite, their little bodies tensing in unison.

Ethan just shook his head, a resigned smile on his face. “Well,” he sighed, “when it rains, it pours. Mom’s always been the decisive type. Looks like she’s really set on finding us a new dad this time.”

Aiden’s face crumpled with worry, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “Do you think… our new dad might be mean to us?”

Evan grabbed his fork, brandishing it like a little knight. “Hmph! Let him try! If he ever dares to pick on us, he’ll have to answer to me.”

Noah frowned, his gaze deep and thoughtful. “That’s not the point. The real question is—will he be good to Mom?”

***

Meanwhile, at the Austin estate—

Dylan got out of the car and headed straight for Mr. Hugh Austin’s study.

The air inside was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

Mr. Hugh Austin sat behind his imposing desk, his sharp gaze fixed squarely on Dylan.

“Your wedding is set for August fifteenth,” he announced, his voice cold as steel, brooking no argument.

Dylan’s expression was equally frosty. He let out a short, bitter laugh. “Did I ever agree to this? You just went ahead and arranged my marriage without even asking.”

Mr. Hugh Austin’s eyes narrowed, his tone even icier. “You don’t get a say in this. The date is set. The bride is Ms. Thomson—Rebecca. She’s twenty-four, six years younger than you. Consider yourself lucky.”

Mr. Hugh Austin’s face turned an alarming shade of red. This ungrateful grandson! He was even more difficult than he’d imagined.

He drew a deep breath. “Let’s be clear. You and the Thomsons have been promised to each other since you were children. Old Mr. Thomson came to me personally to remind me of that promise. And now that they’ve found their youngest daughter, this marriage is set in stone.”

Dylan scowled. “You could say no.”

“He all but held a knife to my throat. What choice did I have?” Mr. Hugh Austin’s chest heaved with indignation.

Dylan knew his grandfather wasn’t exaggerating. Everyone in the Austin family knew Grandpa Harold had once saved Hugh’s life.

Back in the war, they’d been comrades. Hugh had nearly died, and it was Harold who pulled him back from the brink.

If it weren’t for Grandpa Harold, there would be no Austin family as it was today.

Mr. Hugh Austin gave a gruff snort. “It’s settled. Like it or not, Dylan, you’re getting married.”