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?"

in the air as Robert and Gretta

his throat,

trying to maintain composure.

do you mean by that,

plainly. "They are 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 at Robert for guidance. Robert's jaw tightened as

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

atmosphere, Claire faced Robert and Gretta, her arms crossed tightly over

cold and hard, "and I'm not leaving until I get the

sighed heavily. "Fine, Claire," he relented,

H

accusatory. Robert struggled to find the right words. "We

explanation, her eyes burning with intensity. "You sold my parents' house without my consent, Robert. That's

to control his rising anger. "We needed to move

who 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

at Gretta's reasoning. "That's no excuse,"

speaking of things that remind

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

both knowing and triumphant. "I

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

her husband, her expression

mind calculating her next move. "To make things 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

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

at his wife incredulously,

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

I

eyes widened in panic. "Claire

cut of short by Robert as he immediately made the

We will give you back your