The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 299

Inside the CEO’s office, the air was so thick with tension it felt almost suffocating.

Garcia stood before Dylan, head bowed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Mr. Austin, you called for me—was there something you needed?”

Dylan said nothing, his expression icy as he looked her up and down. In his eyes lingered a flicker of disdain.

Garcia’s nerves tightened with each passing second, her hands twisting together as she fought the urge to fidget. She had no idea what to do with herself.

Finally, Dylan turned his laptop so the screen faced her.

Her heart clenched. She didn’t dare look. The fear of what might be on that screen—the fear that her secret had been exposed—made her want to run.

Then, a voice came from the computer’s speakers.

On the screen, in crystal-clear footage, was the exact moment that afternoon when she’d slipped by Rebecca’s desk while Rebecca was in the restroom, quietly dropping a wallet from her sleeve into Rebecca’s bag. Every detail was caught—there was no room for doubt.

Garcia’s heart nearly leapt from her chest. Eyes wide with panic and shame, she lurched forward, wanting desperately to cover the screen with her hands. But Dylan snatched the laptop away before she could touch it.

Humiliation crashed over her. She wished she could vanish, sink into the floor. She knew it was over.

Dylan watched her flounder, a mocking smile curling his lips. “Well, Garcia? Anything to say for yourself?”

Her lips trembled. The words tangled in her throat; she didn’t even know where to begin.

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

Dylan let out a cold laugh. “Are you threatening me?”

She shook her head quickly, panic flaring. “No, I wouldn’t dare! I just— I just want another chance. And…this has nothing to do with work. It’s just a personal matter between me and Raina. There’s no reason to fire me over Raina and risk losing such a profitable deal.”

Dylan’s fingers tapped out a steady rhythm on the desk, each sound echoing in the silent office. Time seemed to freeze as Garcia swallowed hard, nerves stretched to the breaking point.

At last, Dylan spoke. “If you want another chance, fine. Tomorrow, you’ll apologize to Raina in front of the entire company. Admit it was you who tried to frame her, and I’ll let this go.”

What?

Garcia’s eyes went wide. She shook her head in frantic refusal. “No, I can’t… If I apologize to Raina in front of everyone, I’ll never be able to show my face here again.”