The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 66

The kids exchanged glances, suddenly realizing it was true—their mom was indeed a force to be reckoned with. Instantly, the four of them straightened up and sat back down, behaving themselves without another word.

Dennis watched, speechless.

Of course, they were the youngest heirs of the Thomson family. They’d grown up surrounded by every luxury imaginable; these little trinkets and treats wouldn’t impress them for long.

An hour later, the car rolled slowly into Sunset Villa Estates, where a sprawling mansion loomed before them, grand and stately, its classic architecture blending perfectly with the surrounding landscape as if it had always belonged there.

Rebecca and the children stepped out, standing awestruck at the foot of the sweeping driveway. Even after everything they’d seen—and all the time spent at the Thomson estate—none of them could hide their amazement at the sheer scale and beauty of their new home.

Still, the kids bounced back quickly, curiosity and excitement lighting up their faces as they took in their new surroundings.

Ethan’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Mom, are we really going to live here?”

Rebecca smiled and nodded. “That’s right. This is your new home.”

Aiden pointed toward the wooded hill behind the house, his voice bubbling with excitement. “Mom, can we go up there and pick mushrooms someday?”

Rebecca hesitated, glancing at Dennis before answering. “I think so, but only when the mushrooms are ready. We’ll have to wait for the right season.”

Aiden nodded eagerly, already lost in daydreams of adventures on the hillside.

Meanwhile, Evan gazed at the lush front garden, practically bouncing on his toes. “Mom, this place is beautiful! Can we plant some flowers and fruit trees out there?”

Rebecca turned to Noah, who had been quietly taking it all in. “What about you, Noah? Do you like our new home?”

Noah stood beside her, his expression more reserved and thoughtful than his brothers’. He shrugged, but there was a warmth in his eyes. “It’s nice, I guess. As long as I’m with you and the boys, it doesn’t really matter where we live.”

Rebecca couldn’t help but laugh at that, her heart filling with hope as she looked at her four children.

She glanced over at Dennis. “Dennis, when will Mr. Austin be coming home?”

Dennis hesitated, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face. “Well, Mr. Austin is very busy at the office right now. You all get settled in, and when he has time, I’m sure he’ll come by to see you.”

Rebecca caught the awkwardness in Dennis’s eyes. She didn’t believe for a second that things were so simple. Dylan had never shown her any real affection—why would now be any different? If he’d gone to the trouble of setting them up here, he probably had no intention of returning at all.

Meanwhile, Rebecca led the children across the marble foyer, their footsteps echoing in the vast, unfamiliar space.

A group of housekeepers greeted them politely as they entered. “Welcome home, Mrs. Austin.”

Rebecca nodded courteously, doing her best to remain gracious.

She approached an older woman who seemed to be in charge. “Excuse me, could you please show us to our rooms?”

The woman, Emma, gave a respectful nod. “Of course, ma’am. Your rooms are upstairs on the second floor. Everything has already been prepared.”

Rebecca smiled warmly. “Thank you. We’ll go have a look, then.”

Emma held her professional smile, but inwardly, she was unimpressed by the new mistress of the house. If Mr. Austin hadn’t even come home on her first day, that could only mean he didn’t care much for his new wife at all.

As Rebecca led her children upstairs, Emma and the other staff exchanged subtle, indifferent glances—already sizing up their new employer with a quiet, dismissive air.