Chapter 51


    Kristin didn’t know what was the point of clinging to her so–called pride anymore.


    In Silvergrove City, her reputation was trashed, down to the bone. Everyone was gabbing about how


    she got dirty enough to have a strange man’s baby. However, only she was aware that it was a singr


    night of passion with a man.


    Once your name was dragged through the mud, you could never be clean again.


    As long as Kristin could make money, enough to cover Summer’s medical bills, she’d do anything.


    Harriet was a bit taken aback, not expecting Kristin to agree.


    During those five years in the mmer, no matter how much her cellmates bullied and humiliated her,


    she never budged but stood tall. Kristin never begged for mercy, and bit back the pain without making a


    peep.


    Who knew she’d have a change of heart just days after getting out?


    “Try working with me for a month first and do some other stuff. I’m worried your weakness… might not


    handle this work,” Harriet sighed, paid the driver, and got out to help Kristin with her things.


    Kristin didn’t have much to carry, just a few clothes, the same ones Garner had sent to the prison.


    “Thanks, Harriet.” Kristin hurried to show her gratitude.


    –“What for? Once you’re in Crescendo Town, if I’ve got a roof, you’ve got a ce to shelter from


    the storm.”


    The snow wasing down hard, piling up on Harriet’s long hair.


    Kristin reached up to touch her hair, which, once long enough to drape over her shoulders, had been


    chopped off when she was locked up. Not having cut it for half a year, it was barely shoulder–length


    now.


    “Harriet, do you evere across James from Aurora Tech?” Kristin asked quietly.


    As they climbed the stairs to the rental, Harriet cursed at the trash littering the hallway. “These


    ssless jerks, throwing all their nasty junk here, it reeks!”


    ncing back at Kristin, Harriet chuckled. “Who? Our Crescendo Town’s big shot?”


    Kristin stayed silent.


    “Chance would be a fine thing, on TV, on my phone, in the news, that’s where,” Harriet thought Kristin


    was just messing around.


    A look of disappointment filled Kristin’s eyes. How on earth could she meet James?


    1/4


    “Our club is the biggest and fanciest in Silvergrove City. I heard Aurora Tech’s got a stake in it. and


    some top brass from there do fancy a visit. But I have never seen James myself, only in biz


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    mags.


    You wanna meet him… It’s not totally out of the question, but you gotta count ondy


    luck.”


    Harriet knew a bit about Kristin’s backstory. If It was any other gal, Harriet might haveughed at their


    pipe dreams, but Kristin was once Ms. Turner, who rubbed elbows with the high and


    mighty.


    Kristin lit up her eyes for a moment, then she shed a smile at Harriet. “Thank you, Harriet.”


    “We’re all in the same mud pit here, why all the fuss?” Harriet lifted her chin towards the hallway


    garbage. “See that? That’s where we belong.”


    Kristin stared nkly at the filthy and stinking trash without a word.


    At the FitzGerald Group in Silvergrove City.


    *Mr. FitzGerald, here’s the financial summary forst quarter.” the secretary reported.


    “Vincent’s project cost 1.2 billion, what’s the return on investment?” Rhett frowned, clearly displeased.


    “Mr. FitzGerald said… we shouldn’t fixate on return on investment just yet.”


    The secretary was a bit scared.


    Rhett scoffed. “Is he running a charity?”


    To Rhett, Vincent was just foolish and clueless.


    “So… should we dig into where that money’s gone?” the secretary asked timidly.


    After all, Vincent and Rhett were brothers. A thorough investigation might strain their rtionship.


    “Check it out, but don’t spook the horses,” Rhett huffed. He didn’t trust anyone in the FitzGerald family,


    including his father Hob.


    “By the way, Mr. FitzGerald, Mr. Bryce from Aurora Tech said next–month’s Silvergrove Chamber of


    Commerce dinner will be in Crescendo Town with himself as the host. He’s inviting you to Crescendo


    Town.” The secretary checked Rhett’s schedule. “Last year’s dinner was here in Silvergrove City, and


    you were the host. It’s Mr. Bryce’s turn to return the favor.”


    “Just a show of strength,” Rhett said nonchntly. “Make the arrangements.”


    The Bryce family and the FitzGerald family had been cooperating andpeting behind the scenes for


    years.


    James was smart, but Rhett always felt he was up to no good. Rhett preferred James‘ younger brother,


    Yates.


    The secretary nodded and left the office.


    Chapter 51


    “We haven’t been able to locate Kristin yet, but the Turner family has shown up here multiple times. In


    fact, rence even went to meet your father,” Slipping into the office, York reported with a slight air of


    unease.


    Clearly, Hob had been giving York grief.


    Rhett leaned back in his chair, his eyes coldly on York. “I won’t see him.”


    “Mr. FitzGerald, cut the stubborn act, will you? You haven’t even got your hands on the shares your


    grandfather promised you yet. Without tying the knot, you’re just keeping the seat warm. You need to


    get hitched to call the shots.” York was freaking out. “Vincent and his mom are eyeing those shares like


    hawks. Rubbing your father is the wrong way right now.”


    And all this fuss was over a kid who’s not even part of the picture.


    Sure, it’s a bummer that Summer got roughed up, but let’s not lose our heads here. Rhett is a member


    of the FitzGerald family through and through and he should weigh what mattered


    more.


    “Until Kristin’s back, I’m notying eyes on anyone from the Turner family, Vincent included.” Rhett’s


    voice dropped an octave, and a warning re shot at York. “One more word, and you can hit the road


    too.”