The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 71

Ethan spotted the feather duster and shrank back, putting on an exaggerated look of terror. “Oh no, I’m so scared!”

Jack, convinced that these little troublemakers were finally afraid, puffed up with pride. “Now you know what fear is, don’t you? Too late! Today you’re going to learn—when you mess up, you face the consequences. I don’t care who you think you are, nobody gets a free pass!”

But just as Jack swung the feather duster down, Ethan darted behind him in a blur. Jack stared at the spot where Ethan had just been, so furious his voice shook. “You dare run from me?”

Ethan only stuck out his tongue, pulling a ridiculous face. “Come catch me, then!”

Jack’s anger soared. “You—!” He waved the duster through the air, but Ethan had already hopped around to the other side of the table.

Jack lunged after him, but Ethan was quick as a fox, circling the table with Jack in hot pursuit. Whenever Jack changed direction, Ethan matched him, always staying just out of reach.

“You can’t catch me! Nyah, nyah!” Ethan teased, grinning mischievously.

Jack’s eyes widened as he realized he was being played. He finally stopped, catching his breath. “You little rascal… I must be getting old. I can’t keep up with you anymore.”

After several exhausting laps, Jack realized he’d never catch Ethan. Panting and frustrated, he turned to look for an easier target among the other kids.

Jack brandished the feather duster and made for Evan, but Evan leapt onto the tabletop in one swift motion. With a dramatic “Hah!” he lifted a leg behind him and delivered a perfect Tae Kwon Do kick, sending Jack tumbling to the floor.

Jack sprawled out, the feather duster flying from his hand. He groaned, then scrambled up, red-faced and fuming. “You little monsters! You’re all out of control! Just wait till I teach you a lesson you’ll never forget!”

Rolling up his sleeves, Jack decided he’d had enough—he was going to show these kids who was boss.

At that moment, Noah stood by the wall, face grim and eyes steely. He hadn’t wanted to start trouble, but he was done being pushed around.

Jack tried to defend himself. “I—I was just doing what Mr. Austin asked! Trying to straighten out you unruly kids…”

Noah scoffed, crossing his arms. “Do you have anything in writing from him? Back in the day, even royal advisors needed an official decree before punishing someone. You’ve got nothing, and you think you can boss us around? Besides, Dylan isn’t even our real dad—he doesn’t have the right to punish us, and you? You definitely don’t.”

Jack was left speechless, floored by Noah’s argument.

Ethan stepped forward, voice resolute. “Enough talk. If we don’t handle this old man today, he’s never going to learn his place.”

And so, the “lesson” continued for another half hour.

From behind the locked study door, Jack’s cries echoed down the hall. The house staff paced outside, anxious but hesitant to intervene. They knew Jack was in there—and they knew the kids’ tempers all too well. They worried for Jack’s safety, but none dared to force their way in.