The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 403

Inside the warehouse, the group of kidnappers who’d gone out for food had finally returned, their arms loaded with grilled skewers, cold beer, and a feast’s worth of snacks. They gathered around, tearing open paper bags and popping bottle caps, the air thick with the aroma of hot food and raucous laughter.

The kidnappers were in high spirits, talking loudly and feasting as if they didn't have a care in the world. Amid the chaos, the four children—clever, polite, and sweet-talking—had managed to charm a drumstick each out of the kidnappers, along with a bottle of juice apiece.

Ethan stared hungrily at the giant drumstick just out of reach, his eyes shining with longing. “Move it a little closer, I can’t reach it,” he pleaded, his voice edged with desperation. His stomach had been growling for hours.

But the kidnappers were too busy with their own food to bother feeding the kids, lazily waving the drumsticks just out of reach.

With hunger gnawing at him and patience fraying, Ethan gave his wrists a quick twist, wriggling his hands free from the ropes. Without hesitation, he snatched a drumstick right out of a kidnapper’s hand.

The kidnapper barely noticed, his grip loosening as he laughed at a joke. By the time he did a double take, Ethan was already clutching the bare drumstick bone, his face smeared with grease.

For a split second, they just stared at each other in disbelief.

Ethan wiped his mouth, then—under the kidnapper’s narrowed glare—hurriedly grabbed the rope and tied his own hands back together, even managing a neat little bow at his wrists.

“See? I’m all done. Full and tied up,” he said with a cheeky grin.

The kidnapper tugged at Ethan’s wrists, checking the knot. It was tight and secure—no problem at all.

So how on earth had this kid managed to tie himself up after grabbing the food? The kidnapper couldn’t figure it out.

He was about to ask when Borg strode over, barking, “Alright, that’s enough. Everyone outside on watch—people will be here soon.”

At his command, the kidnappers dropped their food and beer, grumbling as they shuffled out to stand guard, leaving the warehouse quiet once more.

The four children had eaten their fill. Aiden let out a satisfied belch, earning a few giggles.

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