Chapter 140


    These words were measured, just loud enough for those nearby to listen in.


    “Whoa, look who it is! Kristin? Remember her from that high–profile heiress scam six years ago? The


    one who turned out to be a big fat fake.”


    “Yeah, word on the street is she’s not decent with chaotic sexual rtionships. I heard she’s been


    linked with quite a few guys.”


    “Kristin, have you forgotten me?” The man teased with a sly nce her way. “Climbing up the social


    ladder to Mr. FitzGerald now, huh? How could you forget your old me? I was your first lover, wasn’t


    I?” It was clear he was out to smear Kristin.


    Beforeing to the g, Kristin had already anticipated the kind of tactics Nic might employ.


    Using her to sling mud at Rhett was all her tricks.


    The crowd circled around, eager for the spectacle. Even President Scales, who was deep in


    conversation with Rhett, paused, taken aback.


    “Rhett, what’s all this about?” An elder acquaintance of Rhett’s asked, clearly bewildered.


    “Mr. FitzGerald, how can you keep someone like her on staff? Did she pull the wool over your eyes?”


    “Rhett, you’ve really got to work on your judgment. At an event like this, bringing her along is just


    embarrassing.” From the crowd, Nic emerged, her high heels clicking, d in a designer dress that


    oozed elegance.


    Apanying her was Eddie’s mother, a prominent businesswoman from the previous generation in


    Harborside Haven. Eddie owed everything to his mother, who had passed on the family business to


    him.


    “The FitzGerald Group is this careless with their choice of assistant?” Anita, Eddie’s mother, clearly


    displeased, questioned how such a controversial figure could be invited to a bidding


    event.


    “Mom, there must be some misunderstanding. This is Kristin, the one I mentioned to you years ago.


    She even picked out the crabs we all enjoyed tonight.” Eddie quickly interjected, attempting to clear the


    air for Kristin.


    Eddie’s mother, Anita, paused for a moment, giving Kristin a once–over.


    “Good evening, Mrs. FitzGerald,” Kristin said to contain her anxiety and stiffness as she greeted her. “I


    apologize if I’ve given you a poor impression.”


    “Mr. FitzGerald, is there a certain ir you require in your assistants?” The man’s intention to


    embarrass Rhett was obvious.


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    Chapter 140


    “Have the standards for a bidding event fallen this low?” Rhett’s voice was low and it was clear he was


    far from pleased.


    Eddie sensed Rhett’s anger and quickly had someone check the identity of the man who had spoken.


    “Kristin’s reputation in Silvergrove City is well–known. She is indiscreet with a questionable history, and


    even a stint in jail. She’s not the kind of person you want to associate with at an event like this, Rhett.


    You’ve made apse in judgment this time,” Nic added, stirring the


    pot.


    If they could get Anita to turn on Rhett, the contract would go to Vincent.


    “Kristin, have you forgotten me with all the men you’ve been with?” the man mocked her with at grin.


    “Excuse me, sir,” Kristin said after a brief apology, her gaze fixed on the man. “I have a birthmark on my


    arm. Is it on the left or the right?”


    The man hesitated. “How should I know…”


    “You im to have been intimate with me, yet you denigrate and attempt to oppress me with these


    tactics, trying to negate my professional abilities and talent by ndering my private life. My efforts at


    work should not be tarnished by your dirty words and actions. It’s your soul that’s dirty which sees filth


    everywhere.”


    Kristin knew Anita, a businesswoman of her generation, had faced pressures and disparagement that


    many had never endured.


    Men who couldn’t match her sess would discredit her achievements and capabilities, and women


    who envied her sess would insinuate she only got ahead through men.


    Kristin, in fact, had to thank Nic for presenting her with an opportunity to make a good impression in


    front of Anita.


    “Now, please answer my question. Is my birthmark on my left arm, or on my right?” Kristin was firm. “If


    you can’t answer, I will take legal action against you for defamation.”


    The man nced at Nic, unsure of what to do next.


    “What are you looking at Nic for? Are you saying she orchestrated this to undermine Mr. FitzGerald


    and sabotage this bidding partnership?” Kristin looked at Nic, feigning shock. “Nic, how could you


    do such a thing? I know Rhett is the child of Mr. Hob’s first wife. but this favoritism is too much.”


    Nic only knew how to curry favor with Anita, not realizing that Anita had started her business and


    carried her family because Eddie’s father had an affair and insisted on marrying his mistress, driving


    Anita and Eddie away.


    “Kristin, what nonsense are you spouting?” Nic was taken aback. Was this the Kristin she knew?


    Serious?


    Chapter 140


    Kristin’s confrontation left Nic wishing she could tear Kristin to shreds. “What a sly fox! Do you think


    you can drive a wedge between our family? What are you but a woman with a tarnished reputation? Do


    you need others to nder you?”


    Kristin nced back at Rhett.


    His eyes were deep and understanding, and he nodded slightly at her.


    Suddenly, Kristin wasn’t panicking anymore because she knew she had Rhett’s support.


    “Yeah, I’ve been with you for so long, how would I remember where your birthmark is? I just know you


    have one, but who can remember which side it’s on?” the man blurted out.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    “Oh,” Kristin turned her attention to the silent Vincent. “Vincent, do I have a birthmark on my arm?”


    Tho are you eveni


    about?!” Nic snapped, ring at Kristin with unmasked disgust.


    “Vincent would nevery a finger on trash like you.”


    Vincent’s face was ashen, almostpletely drained of color.


    “Vincent, we were together for six years from high school to college. I was once your fiancée,


    recognized publicly. Don’t you have anything to say in my defense?” Kristin was deliberate.


    If Nic was going to sling mud at her to get at Rhett, Kristin was ready to sling it right back.


    With a slightly hoarse voice, Kristin silently monitored Vincent.


    Kristin wanted to see just how Vincent would denigrate her.


    In such a public setting, if Vincent joined Nic in ndering her, then who had poor judgment? Rhett


    was just her boss. Herpetence at work was all that mattered.


    But in her personal life, Vincent as her ex–boyfriend had more vile judgment.


    “Don’t dredge up the past. Vincent was just fooled by you,


    ing around behind his back…”


    “Enough.” Vincent’s voice was a low rumble, cutting off Nic mid–sentence.


    “Kristin has no birthmark. This person is deliberately defaming Kristin. Let’s just drop it.” Vincent


    inhaled deeply, casting a nce at Nic before awkwardly turning to leave.


    What bothered him was the memory of catching Kristin in a hotel with another man, an incident that left


    him unable to hold his head high. And now, with Nic airing dirtyundry in front of an audience,


    Vincent was understandably reluctant.


    “Mister Eddie Wilson, we checked. This guy wasn’t invited to the event,” York said, approaching with


    the event coordinator in tow.


    The man’s face paled, panic setting in as he tried to bolt.


    Rhett shot out his hand, grabbing the back of the intruder’s cor, his expression dark and


    Chapter 140


    stormy. “Causing trouble at Eddie’s bidding event could be a major issue.”


    The crowd collectively inhaled sharply. Rhett seemed furious.