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?"

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

cleared his throat,

trying to maintain composure.

do you mean

parents. Does that ring a bell to either of you?" Gretta shifted uncomfortably in her seat, glancing at Robert for guidance. Robert's jaw tightened as he processed Claire's

absorbed their reactions. "Interesting," she murmured, her mind already piecing together the puzzle. "I think it's time we

faced Robert and Gretta,

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

he relented, "I sold

H

accusatory. Robert struggled to find the right words.

with intensity. "You sold my parents' house without my

anger. "We needed to move on,

be sad all the time. So, we decided

excuse," my family, Gretta, what about my mother's

sharply. "And speaking of things that

opened her mouth

knowing and triumphant.

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

turned to her husband, her expression a

fair," she began, her voice measured, "how about you give me the Robertson Mansion after all it only makes sense since you two sold my parents' house?" a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. Gretta's eyes widened in alarm, and she leaned forward, almost pleading "Claire, please... We'll do anything, but don't take the house.

raised an eyebrow, her attention momentarily diverted to her impeccably polished nails. She enjoyed the power play, knowing she had the upper hand in

wife incredulously, surprised by her

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

I want my mother's

widened in panic. "Claire

by Robert as

We will give you back your mother jewelry but don't take the