Chapter 110


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    In the executive office, Kristin’s phone was buzzing incessantly.


    Rhett’s displeasure was evident as Kristin fumbled to silence her phone.


    He didn’t force Kristin to turn off her phone, knowing James would be left hanging if she didn’t


    answer.


    York had texted earlier, saying that James‘ car was parked downstairs, clearly there to pick up


    Kristin.


    “Copy this document a hundred times,” Rhett said, giving Kristin a task.


    Kristin nced at the document, which was a set of employee guidelines. A hundred copies? “Mr.


    FitzGerald, are these for distribution to the entire staff?” she asked.


    “Yep,” Rhett replied indifferently.


    “But wouldn’t it be more efficient to send a group text to the department heads and have them pass it


    down?” Kristin questioned the need for such an arduous task.


    Rhett looked up from his papers and fixed her with a gaze.


    He said nothing, but Kristin caved.


    “Right away, boss,” she said, heading to the copy area with the document in hand, making copies with


    diligence.


    Back in the office, Kristin’s phone continued to vibrate. James‘ call was still unanswered. Rhett stood


    up, nced at the phone, smirked, and walked over to the window.


    He wouldn’t touch Kristin’s phone, but the thought of James growing increasingly irate downstairs


    brought him a twisted sense of satisfaction.


    He remembered he called Kristin that day in Crescendo Town, and James had audaciously hung up on


    him. Rhett always appreciated a bit of tit–for–tat


    Downstairs, James was fuming with impatience.


    After several unanswered calls, he knew Rhett was to me.


    When he tried calling Rhett directly, there was no answer.


    Furrowing his brow, James massaged his temples.


    Knowing Rhett as he did, there must be a reason he was engaging in such pettiness over a


    woman.


    If Rhett acted this way, he was trying to warn James that Kristin was fair game.


    11:54


    – Chapter 110


    James knew that Rhett knew about his secret dealings with Vincent and that the Bryce family had even


    hosted Nic at the Harborside Haven banquet to bid on a project.


    Rhett was determined to win the Harborside Haven project, but Vincent was also in the running. After a


    police incident and a trending scandal, Vincent’s reputation within the FitzGerald Group was hit, leaving


    him vulnerable to Rhett’s maneuverings. He had to secure this project to regain his standing in the


    company.


    Did Rhett know the Bryce family was backing Vincent? Was he using Kristin to send a warning?


    Stepping out of his car, James headed straight for the FitzGerald Group’s building. He needed to


    remind Rhett that not everything was up for grabs or maniption.


    At least, he hoped Rhett could stop using Kristin as a pawn in the sibling rivalry between Rhett and


    Vincent.


    “Mr.. um. Mr. Bryce, good to see you. Are you here to meet Mr. FitzGerald?” the receptionist


    stammered. “Right this way, please.”


    As the strategic partner of the FitzGerald Group, Aurora Tech couldn’t turn James away. They had to


    escort him to the elevator instead.


    Meanwhile, Rhett approached Kristin at the copier.


    “How many have you done?”


    “Just thirty so far,” Kristin replied hastily.


    “Forget it. York will be back soon. Come with me.” Rhett said, heading for the elevator.


    “Mr. FitzGerald, do we have an engagement?” Kristin asked, checking her notes. There was no dinner


    or event scheduled for that evening.


    Rhett said nothing and led Kristin down to the underground parking garage.


    As Kristin and Rhett’s elevator doors closed, James emerged from another.


    “Sorry, Mr. Bryce, Mr. FitzGerald has left the building,” the flustered manager informed him. Growing


    impatient, James spun around and began furiously pressing the elevator button.


    Was Rhett ying games with him? Perhaps he had been too lenient with Rhett over the years.


    In the parking garage.


    “Mr. FitzGerald, are you driving yourself?” Kristin looked around, noticing the absence of a driver and


    York.


    “Can you drive?” Rhett asked tly.


    Kristin shook her head nervously. “No, I can’t.”


    Chapter 110


    Noticing Kristin heading to the backseat, Rhell’s expression darkened, “Sit up front!”


    Kristin hurriedly closed the door and took the passenger seat.


    *Mr. FitzGerald, where are we going?” she asked, wanting to prepare if they were meeting a


    client.


    Rhett remained silent as he floored the elerator.


    “Mr. FitzGerald!” At the elevator exit, the manager called out to James in a panic, but it was too


    Rhett had calcted his moves precisely, ensuring James stepped on everyndmineid out for him.


    While standing there with a heavy air. James‘ expression soured.


    “Rhett, you’re meddling more than you should.” he thought to himself.


    “Is Mr. FitzGerald particrly busytely?” James asked coldly, his mood unreadable.


    The manager nodded anxiously. “Mr. Bryce, I apologize. Mr. FitzGerald has indeed been busy.”


    “Hmph…” James nced at the clock on the wall. “If he’s that busy, ring up Vincent for me, will you?


    Tell him I’m interested in discussing the Harborside Haven project.”


    The manager hesitated, stuttering as he started to speak, then stopped.


    It was clear as day that James was pissed off.


    hett and Vincent, the half–brothers from the FitzGerald family, were notoriously known for


    their discord.


    “Mr. Bryce, how ‘bout,l give Mr. FitzGerald another call?” The manager’s hand trembled as he fumbled


    for his phone to call Rhett.


    James didn’t stop him. He wanted to gauge Rhett’s reaction.


    If Rhett yed his cards too obviously, James wouldn’t have to y coy either.


    Vincent was much easier to handle than Rhett by a long shot.


    At Melissa’s vi,


    “Oh, for heaven’s sake, look what you’ve done! My dress is ruined,” Melissained, stepping out


    of her luxury car in sky–high heels, her slender legs wless as she descended. She had expected


    Garner, waiting outside, to instinctively reach out to help her down or at least hold her dress up.


    Instead, he stood there, straight as an arrow, the very picture of stoicism.


    “Come over here and hold up my dress!” Melissa was stunned by Garner’sck of response. What was


    his deal? Was he not into women?


    11:54


    Chapter 110


    Despite her alluring legs that could make any man take a second nce, he remained unmoved.


    His eyes were clear but tinged with impatience. As if he was saying, “Hurry up and let me clock


    out…”


    “Boss, can I call it a day?” Garner stepped forward, bunching up the hem of Melissa’s dress in his


    hand, ncing at his watch.


    He had to take Summer to the hospital to see the doctor.


    Melissa’s legs, as exquisite as sculptures, were exposed for all to see, and Garner felt it was


    inappropriate. He loosened the grip on the dress, covering her thighs.


    Melissa looked at Garner’s puzzling actions, her expression amusement and disbelief. “This. dress is a


    one–of–a–kind, haute couture piece worth a million. You can’t just handle it like that.” Garner looked


    down at the bunched–up fabric in his hand, then quickly let go.


    He suspected Melissa was setting him up.


    But she wasn’t wrong. The dress couldn’t be held roughly, and where Garner had grabbed was visibly


    creased.


    Taking a deep breath, Garner spoke in a low voice, “Did someone… pull a fast one on you?”


    A million for this dress? Was it a stick–up?


    Melissa’s gaze bore into Garner, unguarded and meaningful.


    “Stay with me tonight, and we’ll forget about the dress,” she said, her toneced with an offer he’d have


    to consider.