Chapter 69


    “Pull up the surveince from the club. York, call the cops. The rest of you block her path,” Rhett


    commanded in a low voice, ncing at the time. “You’ve got two minutes to get your stories straight


    about what you’ve seen today! Watch out for your words.”


    The manager nodded frantically, warning the rubberneckers to stop gawking and beat it!


    In a sh, everyone scattered like roaches, not wanting any part of the drama.


    Harriet let out a sigh of relief, whispering to Kristin, “Kris… I called Mr. FitzGerald just now.”


    Kristin didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the ground.


    “Mr. FitzGerald, look at this,” York gasped, taking a phone from one of the employees.


    Adrienne had posted the video of her bullying Kristin from five years ago online.


    Rhett nced at the phone, his eyes shooting daggers at Adrienne.


    Adrienne took a fearful step back. “Rhett… It’s not a big deal. Why are you siding with her… I… | gotta


    go.”


    She sensed danger and was ready to bolt, but York blocked her escape. “Ms. Haywood, no one can


    escape thew. And you were dumb enough to st your crime spree from five years ago all over the


    inte.”


    York sneered. “Stirring up trouble with serious consequences starts with a three–year lock–up.”


    Adrienne turned pale, terror–stricken as she faced Rhett. “Rhett… What’s this about? I hit her because


    she was asking for it. She’s flirting with my man. I’m James‘ fiancée. You’re holding me back and


    calling the cops… Aren’t you worried about dragging Aurora Tech through the mud, or ruining things


    with the Bryce family?” Adrienne was shocked, finally grasping the gravity of the situation.


    Rhett had no reason to jeopardize his rtionship with James over Kristin.


    The FitzGerald Group and Aurora Tech were in bed together, a sweet win–win deal.


    “Do you think I care?” Rhett shot back, icy as ever.


    He draped his jacket over Kristin, signaling Harriet to help her to the side to rest. “You have spread


    videos and ng mud at others with defamation and invasion of privacy, which has over five hundred


    shares with rock–solid proof. You’re in for a world of hurt with those charges stacked against you.”


    Rhett dangled the phone before delivering a calm warning to Adrienne. “You sted your guilt to the


    world. You’re not escaping the mmer.”


    Tossing the phone to York, Rhettmanded, “Get the sharpestwyer in Silvergrove City.” “Rhett…


    Are you kidding me? Do you think you can scare me? For Kristin, you’d throw away the


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    interest of the Bryce family?” Adrienne was shaking like a leaf, her voice quivering.


    Desperate, she moved to plead with Rhett, realizing she’d made a colossal blunder by leaking Kristin’s


    video, which was a self–inflicted exposé of her guilt.


    She’d been confident that Kristin wouldn’t dare retaliate, expecting Kristin to slink away. scorned by all.


    But Adrienne never expected Rhett to stand up for Kristin!


    “Rhett, cut it out, stop scaring me. All of the Haywood family knows you’re bound to get engaged to my


    sister. We’re practically family… Taking this as a lesson for me, I’ll never do it again.”


    A short distance away. Kristin sat on a bench, numb, watching Adrienne grovel pathetically.


    It turned out that even the bully had her fears.


    A bitter chuckle escaped her as Kristin lifted her head, cleaning the blood trickling from her nose, but


    the nosebleed wouldn’t stop, staining her clothes.


    Kristin looked down, her eyes welling up. She now owed Rhett a suit, something she couldn’t repay.


    Wiping her face haphazardly, Kristin sat there, disheveled and fragile like a soulless rag doll.


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    That was how society worked with hierarchy. When someone was above Adrienne, she went from high


    and mighty to begging for mercy.


    “Kris…” Harriet crouched beside Kristin, whispering. “You can’t keep taking this lying down. These


    people won’t let up. Didn’t prison teach you anything?”


    Kristin looked at Harriet numbly.


    “They messed with my son. So this time, I won’t back down.” Replying. Kristin took a deep breath, as if


    she’d made up her mind.


    Harriet nodded, hugging Kristin with a pained expression. “No one’s got your back forever. you’ve got


    to use every card in your hand, even if these guys are just a brief lift up. Hold tight and climb your way


    up step by step.”


    Harriet’s voice was low and hoarse, echoing the lessons from the school of hard knocks. Power was


    everything.


    Those with power lived on top and the rest could only beg for scraps, but no one should be content to


    live at the bottom forever.


    “Your debt’s been paid, you’re a single mother with a son. You’ve got to get strong, if not for yourself,


    then for him.” Harriet’s eyes were red as she gripped Kristin’s hand firmly.


    Kristin sat silently, numbness creeping over her as the cops arrived to take Adrienne away. That was


    when Adrienne realized the severity of ber situation.


    “Rhett… you can’t do this to me, you can’t.” Adrienne was frantic, her eyes locked on Rhett in


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    fear. “Rhett, six years ago, you and Hertha at the hotel…”


    Rhett’s frosty gaze met Adrienne’s, which was a clear warning.


    Some things were meant to be said, while others were best kept secret. Adrienne wasn’t about to make


    that mistake.


    Sure… Adrienne pped her hand over her mouth in panic. “Rhett, I know I screwed up. Don’t call the


    cops or tell them to hit the road.”


    Rhett nced over at Kristin. “She’s the victim.”


    Adrienne caught on in a heartbeat and darted over to beg Kristin to drop the charges. “Kristin! Tell the


    cops it was just a joke, all of it, tell them!”


    But Adrienne wasn’t showing a shred of remorse, she was still making threats.


    With a nk look, Kristin turned to the police after facing Rhett and said, “I can no longer hear with my


    left ear.”


    The cop paused, stepping forward to check Kristin’s injury..


    Kristin cast her eyes down and spoke again. “She hit me five years ago and brought people to hurt me.


    She also ndered me and drove me to attempt suicide multiple times. It’s on record at the jail in


    Silvergrove City.”


    Kristin rolled up her sleeve to reveal the gruesome scars on her pale arm.


    Slowly standing up, Kristin spoke again. “I want to press charges…”


    The cop was visibly shocked by Kristin’s arm, and then looked back at Rhett. “Take her away first.”


    *The evidence is all here. I’ve got it ready for you folks,” York stepped in, handing over surveince


    footage and videos to the authorities. “Ourwyer will be here shortly.”


    The police nodded and took Adrienne away.


    Rhett looked at Kristin with aplex gaze, furrowed his brow, and was silent for a long time.


    “Let me go. I’m not going to the station! I didn’t do anything wrong!” Adrienne kept yelling.


    Outside, James walked in with his assistant, his voice deep and serious. “What’s all this chaos. about?”


    Adrienne lit up her face at the sight of James. “James, save me, they’re taking me to the station and


    want to lock me up! James, save me.”