Chapter 128


    On the road to the airport, York was on the phone, arranging for avish gift.


    Kristin didn’t intervene, just in case it came in handy.


    “Our


    held back a bottle of red winest year in quite a collector’s piece, and the price


    isn’t too steep either,” York mentioned to Rhett.


    Rhett remained silent, ncing at Kristin.


    “How much?” Kristin inquired.


    “Over a million,” York said with a chuckle.


    Kristin took a deep breath before saying, “I think we shouldn’t give gifts that are too extravagant. The


    Harborside Haven project is an open bid by Eddie, and the FitzGerald Group sets the industry


    standard. Just being willing to discuss the project and meet him in advance is already a big deal. A little


    respect given in business is enough. Otherwise, the other party might get cocky.”


    York paused for a moment. “But gifting him some king crabs might be a bit too casual, doesn’t it?”


    ‘Eddie’s mother has a fondness for king crabs, and it’s not their season now. I’ve selected specially


    farmed crabs, which are raised in greenhouses by the farmers themselves. They’re plump and quite


    pricey..” Kristin defended her choice of king crabs.


    Rhett, resting his chin on one hand, chuckled. “How much?”


    “Well it’s three hundred bucks a pop, and I got fifteen female crabs.” Kristin felt the pinch.


    “I still think.” York wasn’t entirely convinced.


    “Vincent and Nic got to Harborside Haven ahead of us, and they must have booked Eddie’s time.


    Nic would’ve brought Eddie a grand gift. He isn’t blind to the dynamics within the FitzGerald Group.


    The more someone tries to suck up, the more it seems they’recking confidence. If Nic is currying


    favor with Eddie, we should do the opposite to show we’re


    solid.”


    Kristin spoke softly, casting an uncertain nce at Rhett.


    Rhett just looked at her, his gaze intense.


    “Perhaps we could prepare two gifts and decide which one to gift based on the situation…” Kristin


    trailed off her voice,cking confidence.


    “Let’s go with Kristin’s n,” Rhett said tly.


    York opened his mouth, sighed, and let it go.


    Kristin sparkled her eyes as she sneaked a peek at Rhett, nervously clutching the hem of her


    Chapter 120


    dress and shrinking back towards the door.


    “Mr. FitzGerald, I’ve reviewed the dossier on Neal from the Investment Division. His personal life is a


    mess and seems to have quite a few mistresses.” Kristin whispered, changing the subject.


    Rhett hummed, closing his eyes. “Neal’s greatest talent is keeping his lovers and his wife in


    harmonious coexistence.”


    So going after Neal’s personal life might not be the best angle.


    “It’s not just that Neal has numerous mistresses. He enjoys parading them at social events, and most of


    these women are celebrities or models with top–notch looks and figures. This shows a man of extreme


    confidence and vanity. Plus, Neal is apany veteran, so deep down he values his contributions to


    the FitzGerald Group, believing that losing him would be a loss,” Kristin analyzed Neal in a hushed


    tone.


    Rhett opened his eyes, surprised. “You have a deep understanding of human nature.”


    Kristin had never met Neal. She had only read York’s investigative reports and yet had managed to get


    a pretty good read on Neal.


    “In prison for five years, I was always studying psychology,” Kristin murmured.


    Rhett bobbed his Adam’s apple but said nothing.


    Kristin was undoubtedly a genius.


    But only Kristin knew why she learned psychology was to save herself.


    She suffered from severe depression and anxiety and wanted to heal on her own.


    “Mr. FitzGerald, do we try to win Neal over or take him out?” Kristin looked to Rhett for guidance.


    York, driving, mmed on the brakes at a traffic light and turned around in shock, looking at Kristin.


    She just went big.


    Rhett instinctively reached out to protect Kristin, frowning at York. “Can you even drive?” “Mr.


    FitzGerald, my apologies,” York quickly conceded, always good at owning up to his mistakes. “Neal has


    been a sly old fox in thepany. Mr. FitzGerald’s intention might be to get rid of him, but because


    he’s been around for so long, a direct dismissal would cause quite a stir, akin to ingratitude. Even with


    plenty of dirt on Neal, it’s not easy to just fire him. Mr. FitzGerald has been holding off.”


    Kristin nodded, understanding. “With such a person, we might dismiss him with overwhelming


    promotion and praises.”


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Rhett looked intrigued.


    “He is vain, so we feed his vanity. Pridees before a fall. I heard the Vice President position in


    operations is up for grabs, and Neal’s a prime contender,” Kristin said, head bowed, not


    12:00


    Chapter 128


    daring to look at Rhett.


    He made Kristin nervous when he watched her like that.


    “Indeed, Neal has hinted at it many times, overtly and covertly. I’ve never agreed,” Rhett nodded.


    “This Harborside Haven project is an opportunity. Nic and Vincenting to see Eddie like that is


    too obvious. With Nic’s scandal as a mistress dogging her, she’s getting desperate. The more she


    overdoes it, the more you can seem to panic. Why not use that as a pretext to let me please him in


    private?” Kristin said meaningfully, hoping Rhett would catch her drift.


    “Your n is sound, but you won’t be the one pleasing him. York will,” Rhett frowned.


    How could Rhett use his wife to personally appease Neal? That would be giving Neal too much. credit.


    “For anything, just order York to do it. He’s yourckey now,” Rhett said, the corner of his mouth tilting


    upward.


    York rolled his eyes covertly, careful to keep driving.


    He really was the fall guy.


    Kristin was racing her heart a touch faster than usual, her gaze fixed on anything but Rhett as she


    stared out the car window.


    A guy like him was hard not to be smitten.


    But she just wasn’t in his league.


    In the departure lounge at the airport.


    “Rhett, what took you’so long? I was worried we’d miss the flight, but thank God we made it in time,”


    Hertha sighed in relief as she approached, her voice as smooth as silk. “York has been with you for


    ages, how could he make such a blunder?”


    York opened his mouth, ready to shoulder the me.


    It wasn’t his fault they werete. Mr. FitzGerald had to y the hero, getting tangled up with Ruby and


    Vincent. They would have been here ages ago otherwise.


    “Rhett, the omething I need to discuss with you.” Hertha pulled out her smartphone. “My


    buddy sent me an address and said he’s hosting tonight. He mentioned he’d missed me and used to


    have a bit of a crush on me back in the day. I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea, so I mentioned our


    rtionship. You don’t mind, do you?”


    Hertha watched Rhett anxiously.


    In the chat history, Hertha had dered Rhett to be her boyfriend, suggesting an engagement was


    imminent.


    Clearly, Hob had agreed to an alliance with the Haywood family, giving Hertha a new sense


    12:00


    of confidence.


    Hertha deliberately brought up the chat and the fact that Eddie had once pursued her to let Rhett know


    that tonight’s arrangement was entirely because of her.


    With her on board, the sess of their project was virtually guaranteed.


    Hertha was sending a clear message to Kristin and Rhett that she was the one of true value to


    Rhett.


    Kristin, trailing behind Rhett, felt her step falter. For some reason, she felt a pang of envy. She was


    envious that Hertha could be Rhett’s fiancée, officially and rightfully.


    “What rtionship?” Rhett stopped in his tracks, his voice deep and serious.