Chapter 198


    At the wedding, Rhett and Kristi


    Kristin was a bundle of nerves but obeyed, ignoring the incessant ringing.


    Back at the hotel, her mind was elsewhere, anxiety gnawing at her. Crossing Hob was like poking


    a bear – you don’t do it unless you’re looking for trouble.


    If she were in Rhett’s shoes, she’dy low, bide her time, and y nice – whether it meant forging an


    alliance with the Haywoods or the Lewises. You have to secure your footing before you can tighten


    your grip on power.


    She had faith in Rhett’s capabilities. Given three years, she was sure the FitzGerald Group would be


    clutched firmly in his hands.


    But he had chosen this moment to lock horns with Hob.


    It was a bold move, but not necessarily the wisest.


    Yet, this was Rhett’s choice, and Kristin felt it wasn’t her ce to question it.


    “What do you want for dinner?” Rhett asked softly.


    “I…” Kristin looked up at him, her thoughts elsewhere. “Anything’s fine. I’m not picky.”


    “How about I cook for you?” Rhett suggested, wrapping his arms around her.


    Thankfully, their resort suite was outfitted with a kitchen, ready for use.


    Kristin’s eyes widened in surprise. “Mr. FitzGerald, please tell me you’re not nning to torch the hotel


    kitchen? That could cost a fortune…”


    –


    Her worry about the cost vanished as she remembered who she was talking to Rhett could certainly


    afford it.


    Rhett chuckled at her concern. “I made sandwiches for you the other day, didn’t I?”


    “Sandwiches don’t require cooking,” Kristin pointed out, eyeing the ingredients that the hotel butler had


    prepared in anticipation of Rhett’s culinary endeavor.


    It was clear Rhett was set on grilling steaks.


    “Are


    you sure you can cook?” Kristin asked, her toneced with doubt.


    1/4


    11:25


    “I’m quite talented, Rhett assured her with a raised eyebrow. He took off his watch, slipped out of his


    jacket, donned an apron, and got to work.


    The phone rang again, but it wasn’t Hob this time – it was Eve.


    “It’s Eve.” Kristin handed Rhett the phone.


    Rhett’s expression soured slightly.


    Despite hisck of affection for his half–sister, her sudden outreach piqued his curiosity.


    “Hello?” Rhett answered, his voice dripping with a casualziness.


    “Rhett…” Eve sounded like she was hiding in the shadows, making a secret call to Rhett “Did you upset


    Dad? I overheard him saying he’s going to freeze your shares… What’s going on? You shoulde


    home and smooth things over, please?”


    Eve seemed genuinely concerned for Rhett. She might be brash, but she didn’t want her mother


    snatching away what rightfully belonged to Rhett.


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    But she was well aware that Rhett neither epted nor liked her, showing nothing but disdain for both


    her and Caleb.


    “Whatever,” Rhett responded curtly.


    It was clear Hob was using Eve to send him a message, thinking he’d be intimidated.


    Rhett let out a coldugh and remained silent.


    “Rhett… I think we’re family, and we should resolve things together. There’s been a misunderstanding


    between you and Mom. Come home, and we can sit down and talk, okay?” Eve urged him to return.


    “You don’t need to get involved in this,” Rhett told her, still offering a sliver of kindness by keeping her


    out of the fray.


    After hanging up, Rhett tossed the phone aside.


    “Aren’t you going back?” Kristin asked quietly.


    Defying Hob now could very well be thest straw.


    “We don’t have to mind him. Let him throw his tantrum,” Rhett said dismissively as he focused on


    preparing the steak for Kristin. “By the way, we’re catching an early flight tomorrow. I’m taking you


    somewhere.”


    “You booked the tickets yourself?” Kristin was surprised, as she usually handled his


    schedule.


    “It’s a surprise,” Rhett said mysteriously.


    Kristin’s heart raced with anticipation, wondering where Rhett was nning to take her.


    Back in Silvergrove City, at the FitzGerald family mansion, Hob’s face was a thundercloud as he


    red at Eve. “Did Rhett pick up when you called?”


    Eve nodded. “Dad… Rhett’s just exhausted from the wedding. He’s sleeping in the hotel, said he


    caught a cold and wasn’t feeling well. Maybe we can give him a break from the calls, please don’t be


    mad.”


    Eve had crafted a convenient excuse for Rhett.


    Hob snorted. “The wedding is over, and he dares note back? He’s embarrassing himself,


    parading that Kristin around at the banquet. He’s disgracing the FitzGerald name!” “Exactly, Kristin’s


    background is nothing but a stain. She’s a con artist with a record, a fake heiress. If word gets out,


    where will the FitzGerald family’s reputation stand?” Nic stirred the pot.


    “Rhett’s really lost his senses this time. The wedding guests were all high–profile business figures.


    Who knows what they’re saying about us now behind our backs?” Nic knew exactly how to push


    Hob’s buttons.


    Eve frowned, well aware of her mother’s intentions. “Mom, if you want to talk about Kristin, talk about


    Kristin. Why drag Rhett into it? Rhett’s the president of the FitzGerald Group. He can take his assistant


    to a wedding if he wants.”


    She thought it was all blown out of proportion.


    “Vincent, we must get him back here at once!” Hob demanded, his face dark with


    anger.


    Vincent looked equally displeased.


    In Hob’s eyes, the sole reason to call Rhett back wasn’t to reim his shares but to force him into


    a corner, to take charge of the SandStone Project’s handover.


    Somehow, Rhett had pulled a fast one, convincing the project’s bigwigs to insist on him, and only him, if


    they were to partner up with the FitzGerald Group!


    Rhett must be on cloud nine right now, knowing he had secured his winning.


    His refusal toe back was nothing but a power y, a loud and clear message to both the


    FitzGerald n and thepany that they couldn’t cut it without him, Rhett FitzGerald. Vincent


    clenched his fists, his, eyes a ze of resentment.


    To make matters worse, Rhett had actually hooked up with Kristin…


    Vincent was green with envy.


    Kristin was supposed to be his, for crying out loud! Why did Rhett have to swipe everything that was


    his? It just wasn’t fair!


    Dad, what if he refuses toe back? Vincent muttered.


    You can’t handle this one thing? What use are you to me! Always in Rhett’s shadow, can’t you do


    anything right? If I could count on you for once, would I be here, tearing my hair out because of Rhett?”


    Hob exploded, venting all his anger on Vincent.


    Vincent gritted his teeth, his face twisted in frustration.


    Growing up, all he ever heard was criticism.


    Hob would say, “Look at you, never measuring up to Rhett, not an ounce of ambition in you.”


    Nic would say, “Vincent, you have to try harder. You must surpass Rhett. If you can’t, he’ll kick us all


    out of the FitzGerald family.”


    No one ever acknowledged him positively. It was like he was forever stuck in Rhett’s shadow.


    “Dad… Don’t worry, I’ll make hime crawling back,” Vincent said through clenched teeth, his gaze


    shifting to Eve. “Eve, I hear that little brat of Kristin’s is friend with Milo?”


    If something happened to Summer, he’d see just how fast Rhett and Kristin would rush back!