ction 5a. of the August 2001 agreement applies and releases Jeepers from its obligation under Note 1. See, generally, Barefoot, supra, at 42, citing Chemimetals Processing, Inc. v. Schrimsher (2000), 140 N.C.App. 135, 138, 535 S.E.2d 594 [""19] (applying principles governing interpretation of contracts when construing a rel