The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 31

Suddenly, Michael sprang up from the couch, set his phone down with a flourish, and announced, “All set!”

Everyone turned toward him, puzzled. All set? What was he talking about?

Michael grinned. “I just bought a plot at Westwood Cemetery. If Dylan so much as thinks about treating Becky or the kids badly, we’ll have his grave ready. I’m not kidding!”

The room went quiet.

Well, that’s… something.

Crystal glanced around, flustered by everyone’s reaction.

Wait, wait, wait—this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Wasn’t everyone supposed to be against Rebecca marrying into the Austin family? Why did it suddenly feel like the whole crew was rallying behind her?

“Alright, alright, let’s take it down a notch,” George, the patriarch, finally intervened. “Things aren’t that dire yet. Let’s just take things one step at a time.”

Sunny stood up with a huff. “Exactly! If the Austin family dares to mess with Rebecca or the four little ones, they’ll have hell to pay. The Thomson family isn’t one to be pushed around!”

Crystal tried to argue again. “But I heard Dylan’s ruthless—cold, heartless. The stories about him are terrifying…”

Rebecca gave a calm, almost amused smile. “Stories, Crystal. That’s all they are—rumors. And anyway, this is a country of laws. No matter how powerful someone is, they still have to obey the rules. He wouldn’t dare cross the line.”

Crystal muttered, “I just don’t think Dylan’s trustworthy. Sis, you can’t marry him.”

Rebecca arched an eyebrow, her tone firm. “I know you’re all worried about me, but I’ve made up my mind. You don’t need to say anything more.”

“I’m tired. I’m going to my room for a bit.”

Pressing her lips together, Rebecca didn’t want to keep explaining. She turned and headed upstairs.

She’d barely closed the bedroom door when her phone rang.

There was a stunned silence on the other end. Then Isabella’s voice came back, this time nearly breathless. “Wait—Dylan? As in Dylan, the richest man in Wye?”

“You know him?” Rebecca asked, curiosity flickering in her voice.

Isabella sounded even more amazed. “Of course I know him! He’s the dream of a million women in Wye—no, in all of Mystoria! I mean, I haven’t met him in person, but every heiress and socialite I know talks about him. Dylan’s not just handsome—he’s loaded, over thirty, and has never had a scandal. The man’s practically a unicorn. Everyone wants to marry him!”

Rebecca’s lips twitched. “Is that so?”

“Absolutely! Honestly, I never wanted you to get married, but… if it’s Dylan, I’m all for it. Seriously, you are the luckiest woman alive. Not only are your parents big-time tycoons, but your husband is Dylan? How does one person get all the luck?”

Isabella’s excitement was almost contagious.

Rebecca could only sigh.

She’d meant to vent about her troubles, but as soon as her best friend learned who she was marrying, she’d gotten far more excited than Rebecca herself.