Chapter 166


    Mr. FitzGerald, can I help you find something?” Kristin asked, noticing Rhett rummaging through his


    drawers with a look of quiet desperation.


    “Nothing.” Rhett responded, quickly stashing a photograph into the depths of his safe


    before clearing his throat. “Could you run down to ounting for me? Ask them to bring upst


    quarter’s financial reports.”


    Kristin nodded, albeit confused, and left the office.


    Didn’t ounting already deliverst quarter’s reports to Mr. FitzGerald?


    Once Kristin was gone, Rhett exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.


    He’d never felt so guilty in his life.


    The resemnce between Summer and his younger self was uncanny.


    Rubbing his temples, Rhett stood and made his way out of his office.


    “York, keep an eye on Kristin for me, got it? If she takes a bathroom break, I want you waiting outside.


    Don’t let Vincent anywhere near her,” Rhett instructed, pointing at York. “For heaven’s sake, behave


    yourself.”


    York scratched his head. “Where are you off to? Don’t you need me to drive?”


    “I’ll take my car. If Kristin asks, tell her I had to step out to seal a deal. I’ll pick Summer up on my way


    back. Make sure you drop Kristin home after work,” Rhett said hurriedly before he dashed off.


    York snorted. He was practically Kristin’s shadow by now. Whose assistant was he


    anyway?


    But on second thought, shadowing Kristin sure beat getting an earful from Rhett.


    He’d been lectured by Rhett since childhood. Now as an adult, it was the same old story. Life sure had


    a twisted sense of humor.


    “York,” a soft voice called from outside. It was Hertha, her eyes rimmed with red.


    York sprang to his feet, eager to y the gant knight. “Ms. Haywood, looking for Mr. FitzGerald?”


    “No, I need to speak with Kristin,” she whispered.


    York nced around. “Sorry, Kristin might be tied up with work. Maybe wait a bit?”


    “I’ll wait in Rhett’s office,” Hertha said, slipping inside.


    York followed, his duty not allowing him to leave her alone in the office.


    Setter safe than sorry…


    York, I’ll be fine waiting here.” Hertha assured him with a weak smile, “Could you fetch me a ss of


    water?”


    Nodding. York stepped out to get her water.


    Taking advantage of his absence, Hertha stood up and hurried over to Rhett’sputer, Inserting a


    USB drive.


    The drive contained a virus capable of breaching Rhett’sputer defenses, allowing hackers easy


    ess to confidential information.


    Hearing York’s footsteps returning, she quickly removed the USB and sat back down, her heart racing.


    “Ms. Haywood, here’s your water,” York said as he handed her the ss.


    Hertha, her face pale, muttered a thank you and sipped her water absentmindedly.


    When Kristin returned, she found York and Hertha in the office, Rhett absent.


    “Mr. FitzGerald had to step out for a bit, and Ms. Haywood is here to see you,” York exined, making


    no move to leave.


    His job was to protect Kristin.


    Hertha, seeming embarrassed with York’s presence, managed to ask, “York, could your give us a


    moment alone, please?”


    York raced his mind for an excuse to stay.


    “York, it’s fine. I’ll talk with Ms. Haywood,” Kristin said, taking the initiative.


    She was curious to hear what Hertha wanted to talk about.


    With no choice left, York reluctantly left the office but lingered close by to eavesdrop.


    “Ms. Haywood, what do you want to talk about?” Kristin asked.


    “Tomorrow, my family is holding a press conference to publicly acknowledge all of Adrienne’s past


    misdeeds,” Hertha said, her eyes welling up as she stood and took Kristin’s hand. “Kris, I want to be


    friends with you. I’m sorry. I want to apologize on behalf of Adrienne.”


    Kristin instinctively stepped back, ufortable with the closeness.


    “Kris, we’re friends, right? If you ever have any trouble, just tell me, please? I don’t have many close


    friends, and you’re the best one I have.” Hertha was soft. “Is that okay?”


    Kristin tightened her grip, her instincts telling her this wasn’t right.


    “Kris, don’t worry. At the press conference tomorrow, we’ll only acknowledge Adrienne’s


    2/4


    faults. We won’t bring you into it again, I promise, Hertha preemptively addressed a concern she


    assumed Kristin might have, hoping to appear considerate before the news broke.


    Kristin remained silent.


    Justice dyed was justice denied, butte was better than never.


    “Kris, my family is sending Adrienne abroad. It’s unlikely she’ll return to Silvergrove City,” Hertha


    continued, inching closer. “Kris, I hope you’ll let me be your sister. Here in Silvergrove City, I’ll look out


    for you.”


    Kristin didn’t respond, finding Adrienne and the entire Haywood family disingenuous.


    “Once I marry into the FitzGerald family, I’ll make sure Rhett and I take good care of you and Summer.


    You know Rhett may seem cold, but he’s very caring. We have our misunderstandings, but he cares


    about me, and I know it,” Hertha whispered with a shy smile. “Soon, we’ll all be one big family.”


    “I have a family,” Kristin said firmly.


    Hertha chuckled. “Kris, don’t be shy. It’s settled then. Work hard, and how about we hit the mall


    tomorrow? Aren’t you taking the day off?”


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    “I’m not taking a break,” Kristin shook her head.


    “Rhett’s really riding his staff into the ground, huh? I’ll call in sick for him, and you just wait for the good


    news,” Hertha chirped cheerfully as she walked away.


    Kristin stood rooted to the spot, her clenched fist gradually rxing.


    Hertha always spoke to her with the air of a matriarch from the FitzGerald family.


    This situation left Kristin uneasy, but she knew she didn’t have many options.


    The Haywood family had already made significant concessions. If Rhett continued to butt heads with


    Hob and refused the marriage alliance, then their position within FitzGerald Group could indeed


    be very precarious.


    Downstairs from the office building.


    Hertha, with a hint of triumph on her face, got into her car and took a call from Vincent. “I’ve done what


    you asked me to do. I’m only helping you this once.”


    “Thanks a bunch,” Vincent replied with a chuckle.


    He had instructed Hertha to nt a virusden USB drive in Rhett’sputer so that their hacker


    could break through his cybersecurity in record time.


    “Kristin is the only one in Rhett’s office. If this gets out, I hope Rhett suspects her first,” Hertha said with


    a loaded tone.


    “Of course,” Vincentughed. “Everything is arranged.”


    Hertha snorted and ended the call.


    F


    This time, by aiding Vincent, Rhett’s standing in the FitzGerald Group was bound to falter….


    Rhett was no fool. With Vincent’s growing power, he’d need to secure his position.


    Now was the time to agree to a marriage with Hob and y the devoted partner, which was the


    smartest move.


    Otherwise, with Hob’s temperament, Rhett stood to lose more than he gained.


    Hertha was determined to make Rhett realize that she was far beyond all this.