New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 40

Chapter 40 The confrontation

"Gretta, you don't look happy seeing me here.

"N-no, I was just surprised. I wasn't expecting to see you." Gretta chuckled awkwardly as she set her magazine down.

Robert quickly made his way to where Claire stood at the backyard entrance. "Claire, it's been a while," a hint of formality in his tone.

Claire's smirk was barely concealed as she basked in their surprised reactions. "Indeed, it has," she replied smoothly, taking a moment to soak in the atmosphere of the backyard.

"The last time I was here, I don't remember this furniture and statue Gretta, did you have it redecorate?"

"Um...well, you know me, I like to make everything perfect."

Robert, growing impatient, interjected. "So, Claire, what brings you here today?"

Claire raised an eyebrow, her gaze looking onto Robert's. "We need to talk," she stated firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Robert glanced at Gretta before calling for the maid to bring their son, Mick, inside. Claire took a seat on the couch in the backyard without waiting for an invitation, her posture exuding confidence. Gretta and Robert shared a look, Robert's eyes conveying a message to Gretta to keep calm and not escalate the situation. Claire observed their silent communication with a keen eye.

"Please have a seat. Don't be shy this is your house anyway," Claire invited Robert and Gretta to sit.

Lisa, observing the tension, crossed her legs and fixed her gaze on each of them in turn. Her eyes were sharp, like a snake assessing its

prey.

Breaking the silence, Robert addressed Claire. "What is it that you need to talk about?"

Claire leaned back on the couch, a contemplative expression on her face. "The house," she began cryptically.

Robert and Gretta exchanged puzzled glances. "What about the house?" Robert inquired, his tone guarded. Claire's gaze sharpened as she continued. "I mean my parents' house. Did you sell it?"

silence hung in the air as Robert and Gretta froze, their expressions betraying a mix of surprise and

his

trying to maintain composure.

you mean

a bell to either of you?" Gretta shifted uncomfortably in her seat, glancing at

their reactions. "Interesting," she murmured, her mind already piecing together the puzzle. "I

faced Robert and Gretta, her arms crossed tightly over her

me about the house," Claire began, her voice cold and hard, "and I'm not leaving

he relented,

H

simmering beneath the surface, "Why?" she demanded, her tone sharp and accusatory. Robert struggled to find the right words. "We didn't know what to do with it, Claire. You disappeared, and your

intensity. "You sold my parents' house without my consent,

to control his rising anger. "We needed to move on, Claire. It wasn't about the

had been silent until now, interjected nervously. "Claire, we thought that you were dead along with your parents and we don't want to be sad all the time. So, we decided to sell the house and thing that remind us of you and your parents especially when you are so nice to

frown deepened at Gretta's reasoning. "That's no excuse," my family,

speaking of things that remind you

eyes widening in surprise. She opened

was both knowing and triumphant. "I thought

defend himself, his tone defensive. "I don't know anything about the jewelry,

husband, her expression

only makes sense since you two sold my parents' house?" a hint of mischief

diverted to her impeccably polished nails. She enjoyed the power play, knowing she had the upper hand in

at his wife incredulously, surprised

single brow, her expression unreadable. "Alright, I won't take the house," she conceded, causing Gretta to visibly relax. But Claire wasn't finished. After

I want my

widened in panic.

Robert as he immediately made

give you back