The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 45

The manager dragged the waiter out of the room. The young man dropped to his knees in the hall, begging over and over, “Please, have mercy, please…”

But his pleas were quickly drowned out, and silence settled back over the private lounge.

Fitch turned to Dylan, his tone even. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this.”

Dylan simply nodded—a nonchalant sound, as if nothing could ever ruffle him, no matter how chaotic things got.

Fitch arched an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity passing through his eyes. “How did you know the wine had been tampered with?”

Dylan pulled out his phone. “I got a message from an unknown sender.”

Fitch glanced at the screen and nearly gaped. “Who the hell is bold enough to hack your phone? Don’t tell me it’s some secret admirer trying to warn you?” He tried to joke, but his eyes were sharp and serious.

Dylan ignored him. He wasn’t one to explain himself, especially not to someone like Fitch, who never took anything seriously.

“Your mind’s always in the gutter,” Dylan said coldly.

Fitch just grinned. “Now I’m even more curious about who’s got their eye on you.”

The manager returned swiftly, already having pulled up the bar’s surveillance footage and handing his phone to Fitch.

“Mr. Russell, I’ve got the security video right here,” he said, passing over the device.

“There she is.”

Fitch took the phone. The screen showed a grainy clip: a woman meeting the waiter, pressing a small packet into his hand, and slipping him a generous wad of cash.

Next, the manager brought up the woman’s details.

Fitch’s eyes narrowed, a sly smile creeping onto his lips.

Meanwhile, Dylan lowered his head and sent another message to the mysterious person who’d tipped him off earlier.

“Whoever you are, I got your warning. If you have more information—or want something—just tell me.”

A moment later, his phone lit up with a reply: “Guess you’re sharper than I thought. I don’t want anything. Just can’t stand seeing some people act like that.”

The tone was cocky—almost arrogant.

Dylan smirked. “Who the hell talks like that?”

He tried calling the number, but all he got was a dead line.

His eyes darkened with intrigue. Just who was this person?