Chapter 181


    At the Thyme Tavern, Rhett had made a reservation well in advance, ensuring he, Summer, and Kristin


    could dine without any disturbances.


    Unbeknownst to Kristin, at that very moment, back at the FitzGerald Group’s lounge, two men were


    fighting over her.


    Mr. FitzGerald, it’s all taken care of. Kenney got a good thrashing from Tam and ended up in the


    hospital. He won’t be causing trouble for a while,” York reported over the phone to Rhett.


    Kristin eyed Rhett cautiously as he stepped aside to take the call, feeling uncertain.


    “Mom, this ce looks expensiv?,” Summer whispered.


    Kristin smiled at her son, saying gently, “If you study hard and grow strong, one day when you’ve made


    your own money, maybe you can invite… Mr. FitzGerald here for dinner, okay?”


    Summer blinked. “He’s Dad…”


    Kristin nced around and whispered, “Summer, Mr. FitzGerald was justforting you. You can’t


    take it seriously. He… will be someone else’s dad someday.”


    Worried her son might be set up for disappointment, Kristin tried to console him gently.


    Summer’s eyes reddened slightly, and he looked down, feeling a bit hurt. “I don’t want him to be


    someone else’s dad.”


    “Summer… you can’t think like that. Mr. FitzGerald will get married eventually, and he’ll have his own


    kids, so…” Kristin’s fingers tensed. “I’m sorry, Summer. I will give you aplete home, okay?”


    “You did nothing wrong, Mom.” Summer cupped Kristin’s cheeks and cooed softly.


    “Auntie Kristin, where did Uncle Rhett go?” Milo, the little boy who seemed lost without a home, clung


    to Summer every day.


    Unable to shake off the persistent little tag–along, Summer had no choice but to bring him along.


    “He went to make a call,” Kristin said, ruffling Milo’s hair with a smile.


    “Good evening, are you ready to order?” The waiter looked down at Kristin and Summer with a less–


    than–friendly attitude. After all, high–end establishments like this were known for their snobbery.


    Kristin and Summer were dressed simply, but Milo’s outfit was clearly expensive. Even his little shoes


    were a


    limited edition, costing a pretty penny.


    “Just… just a moment,” Kristin nodded, her social anxiety showing through.


    Summer counted his fingers. “I want to treat Dad to dinner. My uncle gave me some pocket money; I’ve


    been saving for a long time.”


    Kristin was taken aback for a second, then smiled at her son.


    “Hello, I have five hundred dors, is that… is that okay?” Summer looked up at the waiter, pulling out a


    wad of cash from his little cross–body bag, with bills of tens, twenties, and even a fifty, thergest being


    a


    hundred–dor bill.


    “Huh?” The waiterughed mockingly. “Kid, that won’t even secure a reservation.”


    “Mom, this ce is too pricey. Should we go somewhere else?” Summer asked Kristin in a low voice.


    Kristin nodded, thinking to wait for Rhett to return before suggesting they go to another restaurant.


    1/3


    11:37


    If you’re not going to order then, please leave Don’t waste our time: reservations here s water said


    impatiently, seeing Kristin hesitate to order,


    This restaurant belongs to my sinole. You better apologize to Summer and thisdy, or you’re definitely


    going to regret it,” Milo stated angrily, mming the table and pouting in displeasure.


    The walter acoffed at the child’s threat. “Little one, whose child are you? Do you know who owns this


    restaurant?


    “Who?” Milo asked.


    Our restaurant is a high–end dining establishment under the SilverScreen Entertainment. It’s not for


    just anyone. Bee that table over there? Do you know who’s dining? It’s the A–list actress Patty. Ever


    heard of her?” The


    walter gestured to a corner table.


    Kristin then noticed that there were only two tables upied that evening.


    “I’ve… heard of her.” She knew of Patty, the leadingdy of SilverScreen Entertainment and a top–tier


    celebrity who was rumored to have had a fling with Rhett.


    Kristin had heard about Patty even while she was in jail; the women there envied Patty, believing she


    was the most likely candidate to be Mrs. FitzGerald and marry into the elite.


    “So, if you’re not ordering, why are you still sitting here?” The waiter urged Kristin to leave.


    “Uncle!” Milo yelled, frustrated.


    Just then, Rhett walked in, looking in good spirits.


    Kenney had been hospitalized by Tam, and Tam had made it clear: if Kenney caused any more trouble


    at the FitzGerald Group, he’d get beaten every time.


    Rhett was quite pleased with his cousin Tam as an enforcer.


    “Uncle! The waiter is being mean to Summer and Aunt Kristin,” Milo shouted.


    Rhett’s brow furrowed as he approached. “What’s going on?”


    Upon seeing Rhett, the waiter panicked, covering his mouth in shock. “Mr. FitzGerald…”


    Why was it Rhett who brought them? How could someone like Rhett, a top–tier billionaire, bring such


    inly dressed women to dine here?


    It never urred to her that Rhett would be connected to them.


    Her face turned pale with fear, and the waiter quickly tried to exin. “I’m so sorry, Mr. FitzGerald. This


    lady… I just thought…”


    Kristin waved her off, stepping in to defuse the situation. “No, it’s not that. Summer wanted to treat you


    to dinner, but he only has five hundred dors, so… he can’t afford this ce.”


    She spoke softly, not wanting to embarrass Rhett.


    Rhett squatted in front of Summer, his face a mix of surprise and amusement. “Summer wants to treat


    Dad to dinner?”


    The waiter’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head. Dad? Rhett had a son?


    How could it be… And dressed so modestly? Could it be that his faded shirt was some sort of limited–


    edition new release?


    “Yeah.” Summer clutched a wad of cash with glee. “Been saving up for ages.”


    Rhett wrapped Summer in his arms, casting a shadowed nce at the waiter, but said nothing.


    2/3


    had a kind h


    didrit


    Rhart didn’t chastise the waiter then and there, but he’d definitely see to it the


    on te management and staff training,


    What would you like to treat Daddy to, Summer?” Rhett asked softly.


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


    Summer hugged Rhett’s neck joyfully. “Daddy, do you like bbqs?”


    Rhett parsed, shooting a helpless look at Kristin. bbqs?


    Kristin took a deep breath. “It’s… you know, those bbq skewers they sell at street carts.”


    A man of Rhett’s caliber probably hadn’t even heard of such a thing.


    The waiter beside them shivered in fear, keeping his head down, daring not to make a sound.


    Summer… how about we eat here today, and you can treat us another time, okay?” Kristin whispered


    to Summer, knowing Rhett wouldn’t likely go for street food.


    “If Summer likes it, it’s got to be good. So today, let’s have Summer y host.” Rhett not only agreed


    but also gave Milo’s chubby cheek a pinch. “Milo, you’re in for a treat today.”


    Milo was thrilled. “Summer’s treat, oh yeah!”


    Kristin watched Rhett, Summer, and Milo, the trio interacting seamlessly, and it stirred something within


    her. She really wanted to capture this moment secretly, just to keep on her phone…


    “Let’s go.” Rhett set Summer down and extended his hand to Kristin.


    Kristin hesitated, looking at his hand. Public disys of affection weren’t her thing, but as if possessed,


    she started to reach out.


    “Rhett!” A melodic, cheerful voice called out.


    It was Patty. She was dining at a corner table and, spotting Rhett, called out in delight.


    Kristin’s heart tightened, and she instinctively withdrew her hand, awkwardly hiding it behind her back.


    As expected, she just couldn’t hold her head high in Rhett’s world.


    “Rhett, what brings you here?” Patty eximed, rushing over and affectionatelytching onto Rhett’s


    arm.