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?"

the air as Robert and Gretta froze, their expressions betraying a

his

trying to maintain composure.

mean by that,

the current owners of the house that once belonged to my parents. Does that ring a bell to either of you?" Gretta shifted uncomfortably in her seat, glancing

mind already piecing together the puzzle. "I think it's time we had a more

and Gretta, her arms crossed tightly over her

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

he relented, "I

H

tone sharp and accusatory. Robert struggled to find the right words. "We didn't know what to do

through his explanation, her eyes burning with intensity. "You sold my parents' house without my consent, Robert. That's not acceptable. And to sell it at such

"We needed

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

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

retorted sharply. "And speaking of things that remind

in surprise. She opened

knowing and

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

husband, her expression a mix of

sense since you two sold my

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

wife incredulously, surprised by

she

she continued, "But I want my mother's

widened in panic.

of short by Robert as he immediately

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