Chapter 210


    At the Rhett residence, Kristin sat rigid at the dining table, her grip on her cell phone white–knuckled


    and


    tense.


    Garner had called earlier, advising her to stay out of it, to let Madge learn her lesson the hard way. If no


    one bailed her out, she’d have to spend a full twenty–four hours locked up.


    “She should reflect on her actions behind bars today,” he had said.


    Not long after, the police station called again.


    “Lady, isn’t Madge your mother?” the officer inquired.


    “Sorry, I don’t have a mother. Does she have proof otherwise?” Kristin retorted.


    The cop seemed taken aback, sensing family discord. “Well, then she can spend the day reflecting at


    the station. Someone will need toe down and pay the $500 fine to release her.”


    The call ended abruptly, and Kristin let out a sigh of relief. She considered calling Rhett to check on him


    at the FitzGerald Group, knowing well that today he would be like a lone sheep amidst a pack of


    wolves.


    “Kristin, Rhett’s ce is huge!” Harriet eximed as she emerged from the bathroom, her eyes


    scanning the luxurious surroundings with envy. “Imagine, which luckydy will get to be the owner of


    this house someday?”


    Caught off guard, Kristin didn’t respond.


    “Kris, you’ve got to aim high. If you can get Rhett to fall head over heels for you, all of this could be


    yours,” Harriet said pragmatically, voicing a harsh truth. “If you manage to win over Rhett, every


    hardship you’ve faced in the first half of your life would be worth it.”


    Kristin clenched her fists tightly.


    “It’s just a shame we don’t have the family background. These rich folks will never marry someone like


    us,” Harriet continued, sitting opposite Kristin with a solemn look. “Stay rational, don’t get hurt, and


    don’t fall too deep.”


    Kristin nodded, her head nearly buried in her chest. She felt as though she was alread


    +no deep.


    “By the way, did you hear about Sybil? She got out of prison a few days ago. Since she’s.. Ivergrove


    City, we got in touch. She mentioned wanting to catch up sometime soon,” Harriet changed the subject.


    “Sybil’s out?” Kristin looked up, surprised.


    “Yeah, her husband apparently had a change of heart,” Harriet swore under her breath. “Men! No good,


    any of them. Sybil was a fool for taking the fall for her husband’s tax evasion and fraud, shouldering all


    the me and doing four and a half years.”


    Sybil had been the fall guy for her husband’spany. When trouble struck, he threw her and the


    ountant under the bus to take the heat.


    “Now, he’s thriving on the outside, building up SereneLife Medical Inc. over these years,” Harriet


    scoffed. “I didn’t have the heart to tell Sybil, but working at that luxury boutique in IF, I saw her husband


    with a young, morous woman, buying the most expensive handbag–a million–dor piece!”


    Harriet cursed, outraged.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


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    Kristin was shocked. ‘Does Sybil know?


    “Of course not, Harriet shook her head.


    Sybil had taught Kristin a lot in prison and had been there for her during her darkest times. Kristin fett a


    pang of sympathy


    “We should tell her… Kristin feltpelled to let Sybil know her husband wasn’t worth it


    “But is it right to tell her directly? Given her state of mind? Harriet was unsure


    “Her husband and his mistress must have visited the boutique before, right? Kristin pressed


    “No doubt about it. That mistress is a diamond member at our store; Harriet said angrily. ‘Do you know


    what that means? It means she’s spent at least a million with us.”


    Kristin gasped. “Then we’ll let her know about the new arrivals, the ones that are really pricey if she


    likes them, she’ll surely bring that man to pay. We’ll arrange for Sybil to be there and see for herself-


    Harriet nodded in agreement. “That’s a good n.”


    Distracted, Kristin fiddled with her phone.


    “Can you believe how small this world can be?” Harriet suddenly burst out, “The woman that Sybil’s


    husband is seeing, do you know who she is?”


    Kristin shook her head.


    “It’s Adrienne’s cousin, a little starlet in showbiz. She made her debut unting her connection to the


    Haywood family and even clung to James Bryce, iming the Aurora Tech mogul was her cousin–in–


    law


    Harriet marveled at the twisted connection to the Haywood family.


    “The Haywood family again…” Kristin massaged her forehead, feeling the irony of the situation.


    “If you’re worried about offending the Haywoods, maybe we should drop it?” Harriet suggested,


    concerned for Kristin.


    Kristin shook her head. “This time, it’s a strange coincidence…”


    She bit her lip in thought. If Rhett refused the Haywood’s marriage alliance, it would in who might then


    target Rhett’s shares.


    Hob


    But if she could tarnish the Haywood family’s reputation before that, would Hob reconsider une


    alliance?


    The Haywood family had not yet recovered from the damage caused by Adrienne’s bullying and


    assault scandals. If another scandal broke now, revealing that a Haywood rtive was a homewrecker,


    even Hertha Haywood’s public antics wouldn’t save their reputation.


    “What’s the mistress‘ name?” Kristin asked, determined to take action.


    She was done being a sitting duck.


    Rhett only needed to throw some dirt on the Haywoods, and they’d be down for the count, with no


    chance of aeback. In those moments, a rejected proposal from Rhett would seem just as natural


    as it had been for James.


    “Kris… are you finally making your move?” Harriet asked, her gaze heavy with implication.


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    Kristin looked up at Harriet. “I have my lines that can’t be crossed. Summer and Rhett… they’re off–


    limits to


    everyone…”


    A smile danced on Harriet’s lips. “Then take him down a notch. I’m rooting for you.”


    Kristin remained silent, her clenched hands slowly rxing.


    Harriet reached out and embraced Kristin. “You’ve had a tough go of it all these years.”


    Kristin shook her head. She had grown numb to it all…


    “Hertha doesn’t deserve Rhett. He deserves someone better,” Kristin finally said, her voice hoarse with


    emotion.


    “What kind of family background, what kind of grace and elegance, would be worthy of a man like


    Rhett?” Harriet whispered.


    The first thing that came to Kristin’s mind was the true heiress of the Lewis family. “The undiscovered


    daughter of the Lewis family, the wealthiest family in town. Probably only someone with that level of


    blue–blooded heritage would be a match for Rhett.”


    Harriet looked at Kristin in astonishment, then joked half–heartedly, “What if it’s me?”


    Kristin nced at Harriet, and they both burst intoughter.


    “Let’s not dream those high–society dreams,” Harriet said, grabbing an apple. “What’s so great about


    the elite? They’re all tasteless snobs. My boss says that rich folks stay rich because theyck


    conscience. If they had one, they wouldn’t make a dime.”


    Kristin chuckled. “Not all of them… Rhett, he’s different.”


    Whenever Kristin praised Rhett, she blushed.


    “Oh? Taking his side already?” Harriet teased.


    “No…” Kristin looked down.


    “Don’t fall too hard. If somethinges of it, I’ll be the first to congratte you But if it doesn’t, don’t let


    it break your heart, okay?” Harriet spoke with earnest concern.


    Kristin nodded firmly.


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