The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 415

But Crystal still shook her head, denying everything. “Samuel, I swear, I didn’t do it! I would never stoop so low. If I did, may lightning strike me down, may I never know peace…”

She was so desperate for the Thomsons to believe her that she didn’t hesitate to swear an oath on her own life.

Just as Crystal thought everything was going according to her plan, Noah suddenly stepped forward, phone in hand. He faced her squarely. “I knew you’d try to deny it, Crystal. That’s why I came prepared.”

Crystal’s nerves snapped tight. Her eyes darted between Noah and the phone he held.

Without another word, Noah pressed play, letting the recording ring out for everyone to hear.

It was a conversation—his conversation with the kidnappers.

From the phone, Borg’s voice was unmistakable: “That’s right, she’s the one who sold you out to me, so don’t blame us for this. If you want someone to blame, blame your aunt. She racked up a debt she couldn’t pay back…”

Borg’s words struck Crystal like a hammer, each syllable nailing her guilt in place.

When the recording ended, Crystal’s eyes widened in terror. She shook her head wildly. “No! No, that’s not true, the recording is fake—”

She lunged for the phone, desperate to destroy the evidence that could ruin her.

But before she could even reach it, George stepped forward and, with a resounding slap, sent her sprawling to the floor.

Crystal stared up at George in disbelief. “Dad… you hit me…”

He’d never raised a hand to her before, not once in her entire life.

“Crystal, how could you be so heartless? The kids are so young—how could you sell them out to kidnappers?” Her voice broke with grief; it was clear she saw Crystal as beyond redemption.

Crystal’s face was streaked with tears. “I—I didn’t have a choice. I owed the kidnappers so much money. If I didn’t pay them back, they said they’d kill me. I thought if I gave them the kids, you’d pay the ransom—and that way, I could save myself.”

She bit her lip, raising her head defiantly. “If you really think about it, it’s because you wouldn’t help me. If you’d just loaned me the money, none of this would’ve happened!”

“Crystal!” Samuel snapped, his voice like a whip. “Stop making excuses! Even now, you refuse to admit what you’ve done. Arranging for the kids to be kidnapped is a crime, no matter what your reasons. You’re going to have to answer to the law.”

At that, Crystal finally broke, terror flooding her features. “Samuel, please, I know I was wrong. Please, don’t let them take me to jail! I swear, I’ll never do anything like this again! And the kids are safe now, right? Please, I’m begging you—don’t let them press charges…”

But Samuel’s heart was unmoved.