The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 34

When Rebecca woke up, sunlight slipped through the gap in her curtains, spilling across her face with a gentle warmth.

She stretched, let out a lazy yawn, and slowly sat up in bed.

Little did she know, while she was sleeping, her father and Matthew had dragged Samuel to the study for yet another heated debate with Grandpa about her upcoming marriage.

Inside the study, Matthew’s face was like stone, his voice cold and direct. “Grandpa, how could you make such a snap decision about Becky’s marriage?”

The old man sat in his wheelchair, his eyes sharp as ever. He gave a dismissive snort. “Snap decision? Hardly. I’d have put a knife to his throat if I had to—he was going to agree, like it or not!”

Matthew pressed on, “But what if the Austin family treats Becky badly?”

Grandpa’s brows furrowed in defiance.

“If the Austins dare lay a finger on my granddaughter, they’ll regret ever being born!” he thundered.

Matthew was taken aback, his jaw working as he tried to process the threat.

Silence hung in the air for a few tense seconds.

Finally, George forced a strained chuckle. “Well, Dad, you sure don’t mess around.”

Who would’ve guessed that this marriage was practically forced at knifepoint?

Samuel looked at Grandpa, his tone grave. “If you’re willing to die for Becky, why are you marrying her off at all?”

Grandpa shot Samuel an impatient glare and waved his hand as if swatting a fly. “Enough, all of you—get out! If I hear one more word about Rebecca’s marriage, there will be consequences!”

The room fell silent.

Grandpa’s stubbornness left everyone with a headache.

Meanwhile, Rebecca remained blissfully unaware of the drama. After freshening up and getting dressed, she stepped out of her room.

She found her dad and brothers sitting in the living room, each wearing an anxious expression, the atmosphere heavy and strained.

So, while his brothers napped, he’d sneaked out to hunt for treasure on his own.

Just as he thought he was about to hit the jackpot, Ethan pried up the object with his trowel—and with a dull thud, out came a huge rock.

A...rock?

Ethan scowled in frustration, baring his teeth, and tossed the trowel aside. All that digging had worn him out for nothing.

Then, an idea struck him. His big, dark eyes darted back and forth.

Wait a second—his uncle must’ve been pulling his leg! If there really was treasure, wouldn’t his uncle have dug it up himself by now?

Fuming, Ethan brushed the dirt from his jeans and got to his feet, ready to go give his uncle a piece of his mind.

Just then, he heard Crystal’s voice from somewhere nearby. She sounded like she was whispering into her phone, not wanting anyone to overhear.

“Hey, it’s me, Crystal,” she murmured, glancing around nervously. “Emily, you’ve got to help me—I don’t want Rebecca to marry Dylan…”