The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 285

Rebecca stepped out of the hospital room, clutching a stack of documents. As she looked up, she nearly collided with Crystal, who was heading straight toward her.

Rebecca stopped in front of her. “Crystal, come with me. I need to talk to you.”

But Crystal turned her head away, scoffing. “There’s nothing I need to discuss with you.”

Rebecca’s eyes narrowed slightly. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a threatening whisper. “If you don’t come, I’ll make sure everyone hears about what you did while you were studying abroad.”

With that, Rebecca brushed past her and walked away without another word.

Crystal’s heart skipped a beat. A wave of dread washed over her.

Memories of her time overseas flashed through her mind—secrets she’d kept carefully hidden. If those ever came to light, she knew she’d be in serious trouble.

She clenched her jaw, hesitated, but finally forced herself to follow Rebecca.

Rebecca led her down a quiet hallway to a secluded corner of the hospital—somewhere no one would overhear them.

Crystal’s gaze settled anxiously on the file folder in Rebecca’s hand, her unease mounting. “What’s that?” she asked, voice tight.

Rebecca set the folder aside and folded her hands in front of her. “That’s none of your concern.”

Her tone was cold, unfeeling. “Crystal, I used to think you just said something nasty to Granddad, or maybe you were jealous because I married Dylan and that somehow upset him. But I never expected you’d do something even worse.”

Crystal scowled. “What exactly are you accusing me of?”

Crystal nodded emphatically. “Yes, I do. I really do.”

Rebecca frowned. “If you know you were wrong, then tell me—why did you get involved with those people? Why did you rack up so much debt?”

Crystal’s eyes flitted away again. She hesitated, stammered. “I can’t tell you the reason. But I promise I’ll pay the money back. Just… please, don’t tell Mom and Dad, or my brothers…”

Her pleading was unmistakable. She was desperate to keep her family from finding out about her disgrace.

Rebecca looked at her tear-streaked face, unmoved. She couldn’t tell if Crystal’s distress was genuine, or just another act.

She stared back coldly, unable to understand why Crystal refused to explain herself. Was there an even darker secret hidden beneath all this?