Chapter 134
The morning next day, Rhett woke up with his head pounding.
“Damn…” he muttered under his breath, a familiar sense of regret seeping in.
With effort, Rhett sat up and nced at the deste expanse of his king–sized bed, the sheets a
jumbled testament tost night’s follies.
The memories were hazy, obscured by a hangover that clung to him like a second skin. He rubbed his
temples, feeling the weight of his low mood.
It had been six years since he’d been yed for a fool, and yet, here he was, seemingly reliving history.
“Rhett, you’re up.” Hertha’s voice came from the bathroom, her tone rough with a tinge of shyness. She
emerged holding a freshly washed towel. “Clean your face… it’ll help.”
Her cheeks were flushed with an awkward tenderness in her eyes that didn’t quite reach Rhett. He shot
her a frosty look, his voice icy. “Hertha, I let go of the incident six years ago because it was ancient
history. Do you take me for an idiot again?”
He felt like a puppet in a game he didn’t consent to y.
“Rhett…” Hertha gasped, a picture of innocence. “I don’t know what you mean. I was just… taking care
of youst night.”
“Taking care of me? Am I supposed to owe you for that?” Rhett’sugh was hollow.
She bit her lip with a gesture of faux vulnerability. “We were supposed to get engaged, and six
years ago…”
“Get out,” Rhett cut her off, his voice brooking no argument.
Hertha stood, stunned for a moment before her eyes brimmed with panic. “Rhett. believe me…
His expression was granite and he was in no mood to repeat himself.
“Mr. Fitzgerald!” The urgency in York’s voice carried from beyond the door.
Rhett’s fury had scared Hertha, who had probably never seen such a terrifying side of him before.
“Ms. Haywood, please leave,” York said as he ushered her out, his voice shaky. “We can discuss this
later.”
Once Hertha was gone, York closed the door with trembling hands. “Mr. Fitzgerald, it’s my fault. I
should have warned Kristin to be more cautious ahead of time. What’s your n for handling this?”
“Start with Randall and don’t let anyone off the hook!” Rhett’smand was firm as he got out of bed.
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Chapter 134
York nearly copsed, his legs going weak. The marks of passion on Rhett’s body were a testament to
the passion of the previous night. Who would have thought the demure Ms. Haywood could be so
fierce?
York felt like he might as well be walking to his execution.
Rhett’s anger was something York never wanted to face head–on.
“Randall is Hob’s pawn,” York managed to stammer out, a reminder of who they were dealing with.
Rhett’s gaze was piercingly cold.
York quickly lowered his gaze. “I…I’ll find it out. Where was…where was Kristinst night?” he
stammered.
Rhett’s face hardened into a frown, but he offered no reply.
Havingid out fresh clothes for Rhett, York didn’t allow himself the time or courage to ask anything
further. He turned and beat a hasty retreat from the room.
The atmosphere around Rhett was suffocating, reminiscent of the scandal six years ago.
In the hotel’s garden, Kristin copsed in the gazebo, her sleep restless and disturbed. She was
running a fever, a consequence of the previous night’s ordeal.
“Kristin, Rhett has agreed to our engagement. As for whatever happenedst night, you know what
should not be said.” Hertha stood before Kristin, her tone suggestive.
Kristin rubbed her forehead, wordless.
“Nic is at Harborside Haven. Word is she is cozying up to Eddie’s mother, even gifting her an
emerald set worth millions,” Hertha reminded her. “So Rhett might not win this afternoon’s bidding
against Vincent.”
If Vincent secured the project, he wouldy a firm foundation for his position, challenging Rhett’s
authority.
Kristin clenched her fists, her head bowed in silence.
“Kristin, just help me out, okay? I want to support Rhett too, but he’s resisting me. He thinks I’m
scheming against him, which it’s so unjust,” Hertha pleaded, grabbing Kristin’s arm with feigned
affection.
Kristin recoiled reflexively, curling up and hugging her knees to her chest, mute.
“Do you know why Rhett despises me? Because six years ago, we slept together after I was set up.
He’s always thought I was part of the scheme. He’s got this obsession with purity. It’s been years and
he’s still hung up on it. And if he thinks…” Hertha’s insinuation was clear.
Kristin’s eyes welled up with tears, but she remained quiet, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.
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Chapter 134
“Three years ago, there was an actress, Cindy, who tried to get close to Rhett and ended up in a
mental institution. She hadpletely lost her mind,” Hertha spoke with feigned innocence, her words
laced with threat. She was trying to intimidate Kristin.
“Rhett finds Cindy repulsive because she had been with so many men, even had a child.”
Kristin tightened her grip, her nails digging into her palm.
“Kris, I like you and don’t want you to get hurt. You understand what I’m saying, right?” Hertha’s
patience was evident as she spoke.
Kristin tightened her grip around her legs.
This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
If Rhett ever found out what happenedst night, he would probably think it was all a calcted move
by Kristin, wouldn’t he?
The thought alone was enough to churn her stomach. Kristin couldn’t bear the thought of Rhett
despising her.
Tears welled up in Kristin’s eyes, and she fought the urge to cry.
“That day, I went to pick up my niece from the daycare and saw Summer there. He’s such an angel. It
would be a crying shame for such a sweet child to grow up without her mother.” Hertha delivered
another heavy blow to Kristin’s already fragile state.
“Adrienne ising back, you know? She’s got a heart condition and needs medical parole.”
Kristin snapped up her head, her eyes wide with intense fear.
Adrienne wasing back.
Kristin began to tremble her body uncontrobly. Most of the darkest moments of her past had been
gifts from Adrienne.
Now that she hadnded Adrienne in the clink, Adrienne would be out for blood.
Taking a hot and shaky breath, Kristin clutched at herself, biting down hard on the corner of her lip.
She couldn’t let Rhett hate her and couldn’t survive without his protection…
She still needed Rhett, so she had to keep the truth aboutst night a secret.
“Kristin! What are you doing hiding out here? Mr. FitzGerald is furious. Where in the world were youst
night?” York hade looking and admonished her with thick anger.
Noticing Hertha present, York promptly shut his mouth.
Hertha gave Kristin a meaningful nce.
“I… I couldn’t find Mr. FitzGeraldst night…” Kristin muttered, her voice hoarse with emotion.
With a slight smirk, Hertha felt reassured and left.
She knew Kristin wouldn’t dare to speak a word.