The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 288

She never expected Rebecca to snub her so openly, refusing to accept her gift right in front of everyone.

Turning on her heel, she stared at Rebecca’s retreating figure, a flicker of anger sparking inside her. *What’s that woman’s problem? Does she look down on me?* She couldn’t believe Rebecca would just brush off her goodwill like that.

It was humiliating, especially with their coworkers watching.

Unwilling to let it go, she marched after Rebecca, boldly unwrapping the gift in front of her. “Raina,” she declared, her voice ringing with smug pride, “this crystal necklace was designed by the famous Brett himself. It’s worth a small fortune—something you’ll probably never have the chance to wear in your entire life. Just take it, okay?”

Garcia’s tone dripped with arrogance and challenge, as if Rebecca’s refusal proved she didn’t know how to appreciate a good thing.

Everyone nearby was watching, eager to see how Rebecca would respond.

Rebecca looked up, puzzled by Garcia’s persistence.

Honestly, she’d only hesitated because she didn’t have anything to give in return—taking a gift without reciprocating felt wrong to her. She hadn’t expected Garcia to interpret it as a personal slight.

Rebecca glanced at the necklace. To most people, it would have been a treasure. But at her place, necklaces like these were so common they’d become little more than toys for her children.

It was true—she didn’t care for it.

Still, seeing how determined Garcia was, Rebecca didn’t want to embarrass her further. She accepted the necklace with a polite, “Thank you.”

Only then did Garcia finally seem satisfied, strutting away. But inside, she scoffed. *So much for acting aloof. In the end, she took it, didn’t she?*

She turned her back on Rebecca and started chatting with the other colleagues as if nothing had happened.

Just like that, Raina became “the gold digger” in everyone’s eyes.

The coworkers hurried to reassure her. “Don’t worry about her, Garcia. Raina’s married with kids, and she still goes after Mr. Russell. She acts so hard to get, but it’s just her tired old tricks…”

“Some people just don’t know their own worth. She thinks she’s special, but honestly? She’s nothing to the rest of us.”

“Exactly! If she can’t appreciate a nice gift, don’t bother next time. You were just being nice, don’t let her turn it against you.”

Garcia nodded. “Alright, next time, I’ll only bring gifts for you all.”

And with just a few words, Garcia managed to isolate Rebecca completely.