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,

his

trying to maintain composure.

you mean by that,

to my 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 words, realizing

her mind already piecing together the puzzle.

Claire faced Robert and Gretta, her arms crossed

her voice cold and hard, "and I'm not leaving until

he relented, "I

H

"Why?" she demanded, her tone sharp and accusatory. Robert struggled to find the right words. "We didn't know what to

burning with intensity. "You sold my parents' house without my consent, Robert. That's not acceptable. And to sell

anger. "We needed to move on, Claire. It

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

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

"And speaking of things that remind

froze, her eyes widening in surprise. She opened her mouth to speak, but no

smirk was both knowing

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

to her husband, her expression a mix of

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 enjoyed the power

at his wife incredulously, surprised by her

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

continued, "But I want my

in panic. "Claire

words cut of short by Robert

agree. We will give you back your mother jewelry but