Chapter 173


    In the office, Vincent clicked on the folderbeled with Kristin’s name and stared at her ID photo for a


    long time. It was the only picture of Kristin since she got out of jail, taken when she joined thepany.


    He saved the photo in his encrypted folder, where he also kept old pictures and videos of him and


    Kristin. He knew he couldn’t forget her. How could he possibly forget?


    He hated that she had betrayed him, that she had been so stubborn about confessing, and went to jail


    five years ago. He hated that she chose to hurt him as her way of getting back at him.


    Before the scandal exposed Kristin as a fake heiress, she had been gentle and naive, budding pure


    white rose.


    like a


    In the encrypted album, there was a folder that Vincent secretly used to store old photos of them


    together.


    Ruby thought Vincent had deleted them all, but he had hidden them away.


    In one of the photos, fourteen–year–old Kristin was wearing her school uniform skirt, her innocent smile


    leading a cheer routine in the schoolyard. She was always so dazzling, shining brightly.


    Despite the crowd, Vincent could always spot her in an instant.


    Back then, the boys in the ss were desperate to get a closer look at Kristin, signing up for every


    sports event possible to see her lead the cheers.


    “Vincent, go Vincent!” she’d chant, pompoms in hand, in a video Vincent had watched repeatedly for


    the past five years.


    It was the day he ran the 4×400 meter ry, pulling off a miraculouseback after hearing Kristin’s


    cheers. At that time, he and Kristin weren’t yet a couple.


    Young love was pure and simple, with no schemes, only the adoration for that white rose, that cool


    moonlight.


    “Kristin, the goddess of the third ss!”


    The next video was from the closing ceremony of the sports event. On the brink of blooming, the


    fourteen–year–old Kristin danced alone so beautifully that it took everyone’s breath away.


    Kristin always shone the brightest, no matter where she went.


    On stage, dressed in a white ballet costume, she danced alone to a silent audience, erupting into


    cheers only at the end.


    “Do you have a thing for Kristin, Vincent? Why are you recording her?”


    1/4


    12-15


    Yeah, Vincent has a crush on Kristin!”


    Vincent shot the video amidst the teasing of his ssmates.


    do have a crush on Kristin, and you all better stay away from her, Vincent admitted.


    Tam from ss eight likes Kristin, too!”


    “Whatever,” Vincent scoffed dismissively, and the video broke into more teasing. “Vincent, your crush is


    done dancing. Go give her some water, go!”


    Laughter and noise filled the air.


    The video ended, and Vincent leaned back in his chair, silent for a long time.


    Those youthful emotions were enough to sear into Vincent’s heart.


    The rest of the photos were all of Kristin in the ssroom and the dance studio.


    Back then, Vincent’s camera seemed to follow Kristin at all times.


    “Kristin, let’s be together. I’ll always have your back.”


    In the following video, their ssmates were egging them on.


    Kristin sat on a desk, her delicate, youthful face pale and her hair disheveled. She looked like she’d just


    been bullied.


    She nced up at Vincent timidly. “No… we can’t date.”


    “We’re in high school now. It’s not too early for anything,” Vincent countered, sitting before her. “Be my


    girl, and I’ll always protect you.”


    Kristin fidgeted nervously, remaining silent amidst themotion.


    Vincent shouted for quiet. “Shut the hell up, everyone.”


    The room fell silent. Vincent looked at Kristin.


    After a long while, she carefully nodded, her face flushed with color.


    The ssmates burst into noise again.


    “But, we have to study hard, aiming for Silvergrove University. You can’t… fall behind,” Kristin said,


    looking up at Vincent. “I can help you with your studies.”


    Vincent leaned on her desk. “If you tutor me, I’ll study.”


    Young Kristin’s smile was pure and bright, her eyes always shimmering. “Okay, but you have toe


    second in ss.”


    “Why not first?” Vincent asked.


    “Because I’ll be first, Kristin said naturally, a statement of fact, not a boast.


    Back then, she was so confident and beautiful. She was confident that Vincent could never surpass her


    grades. And no one else could either.


    But that very confident Kristin ended up with such a fate.


    Kristin, I’ll always protect you.”


    Kristin couldn’t be more embarrassed in Rhett’s office as she watched Vincent open those old photos


    and videos.


    Why did he still have these?


    And Rhett, standing there, looked so dark and menacing.


    York sensed the danger and bolted.


    Granger was still clueless.


    “He’s full of it!” Rhett cursed, obviously referring to Vincent in the video, promising to protect Kristin


    forever.


    Kristin looked down, her eyes starting to redden.


    Some memories were the ones she least wanted to revisit.


    She couldn’t believe Rhett, usually soposed and proper, never one to swear, had cursed at


    Vincent.


    “Kristin is quite the looker. She’s been a knockout since she was a kid,” Granger muttered recklessly.


    “Get out!” Rhett grabbed Granger by the cor and tossed him out of the office.


    Standing bewildered outside, Granger mumbled, “Gosh, this is how he asks for a favor?”


    York patted Granger’s shoulder. “You’ll get used to it, buddy.”


    “Has Mr. FitzGerald been out of his mind or something?” Granger quipped.


    “Mr. FitzGerald’s been out of sortstely. The pressure from Vincent, Nic, and Hob has been


    relentless,” York sighed, referring to the FitzGerald family’s unending drama.


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    Granger smirked, knowing York was too naive to see the obvious. It was clear as day that Rhett was in


    heat.


    “Rhett’s in love. Let’s call it mating season‘, a bitte. Don’t you think so?” Granger said


    with his usualck of filter.


    “Bite your tongue,” York said, covering Granger’s mouth to stop him from bbering.


    Granger sat on the couch outside. “But seriously, Kristin is a drop–dead gorgeous.”


    12:15


    Chaple


    Confused at first, York then realized Granger was talking about Kristin. “Did Mr. FitzGerald tell you?


    About his marriage agreement with Kristin?”


    “Agreement?” Granger’s eyes narrowed with intrigue.


    Rhett was ying quite the game.


    York instantly mped his hand over his mouth, realizing he might have spilled the beans.


    Inside the office, Kristin trembled in a corner, almost wishing she could vanish into the wall.


    Fearing Rhett would despise her for her past with Vincent, Kristin choked with sobs. “Mr. FitzGerald…


    Vincent and I have never slept together.”


    Vincent had neverid a hand on her. He had been rather respectful toward her.


    He told her he’d wait until they tied the knot to take things further. Otherwise, it would be dishonorable.