The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 316

Samuel couldn't help but marvel at Noah’s keen eye for detail after hearing his questions.

Taking a moment to compose his thoughts, he finally said, “You’re right, Noah. Great-Grandpa still isn’t feeling well.”

Noah’s brow furrowed even deeper, the worry clear on his face. “Is Great-Grandpa’s illness serious?” he asked anxiously.

Samuel quickly tried to reassure him. “Don’t worry, Noah. He’s just getting older and has a bit of chronic bronchitis. Sometimes he coughs, but it’s nothing serious. As long as he takes care of himself and remembers his medication, he’ll be fine.”

He made it sound much milder than it really was, downplaying the truth for Noah’s sake.

Still, Noah didn’t look convinced. He gave Samuel a searching look. “Really? Uncle Samuel, you’re not lying to me, are you?”

Samuel forced a calm expression, meeting Noah’s gaze without blinking. “Why would I lie to you?” he replied, doing his best to sound sincere.

Inside, though, his nerves were stretched thin—he knew just how sharp Noah was, and he dreaded the boy seeing through his facade.

Noah held Samuel’s gaze for what felt like an eternity, the room almost frozen in time.

Finally, Noah relented. “Alright, Uncle Samuel. I’ll trust you this time,” he said quietly, then turned and walked away.

Samuel watched him go, letting out a long sigh of relief as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. He’d always known Noah was smart, but he hadn’t realized just how shrewd—and intimidating—the boy could be. If he was already like this as a child, what would he be like when he grew up?

Unbeknownst to Samuel, as soon as Noah got back to his room, he sat down at his computer and secretly started researching chronic bronchitis. The more he read, the deeper the crease in his brow became.

Chronic bronchitis might not be a terminal illness, but for someone as old as his great-grandfather, it was nothing to take lightly.

Downstairs, Crystal Thomson’s voice echoed up the staircase.

Crystal bit her lip, then suddenly turned and ran to George in tears. “Dad, I’m sorry. I know I’m not good enough. I never should have started a business…”

George frowned. “So your company failed?”

She nodded, sobbing harder. “Yes. I told Grandpa that I lost money, and that’s why he fainted.”

But the old man glared at her, his voice sharp. “Nonsense!”

The rest of the family was confused, but Crystal knew exactly why he’d collapsed that day. And she knew she had no right to lie about it.

How could she even ask for forgiveness like this?