Chapter 224


    “I was with Hertha six years ago? Who fed you that line of bull? Even for a reporter, spreading rumors


    like that cannd you in hot water,” Rhett said, turning to face the gaggle of journalists with an


    incredulous


    look.


    “It was Miss Hertha herself who posted on social media,” one reporter stammered, fear creeping into


    his voice under Rhett’s intense gaze, “She even shared a recording, iming it was you saying you’d


    take responsibility for her.”


    Rhett couldn’t help but let out a derisive chuckle. Hertha was really scraping the bottom of the barrel


    now.


    “York, gather up all the evidence. We’re suing everyst one of them for defamation, Hertha, and any


    journalist spreading these lies. No one gets a free pass,” Rhett barked, turning on his heel and striding


    towards the elevator with an air of authority that few could match.


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    Hertha thought that releasing a so–called confession from Rhett would back him into a corner. She


    figured that even if Rhett refused to get engaged, she could milk the situation for public sympathy and


    save her family, the Haywoods, from utter ruin.


    But she had seriously underestimated Rhett.


    She didn’t expect him to go all guns zing against Hob, nor did she foresee him actually taking


    her to court over her nder.


    Within half an hour, Rhett fired back with a post on Twitter, pping Hertha with a legal notice and


    tagging her ount for good measure.


    His post made it clear he was suing her for spreading false rumors that were seriously disrupting his


    and his beloved’s life. He even suggested Hertha seek medical help, implying her delusions were a


    sign of


    illness.


    Rhett’s followers were quick to rally to his defense, “I could say Mr. FitzGerald was with me six years


    ago,” one fan quipped, “Where’s the proof? A doctored audio clip proves nothing.”


    “This recording is clearly edited. ‘I’ll take responsibility‘ could mean anything. Does it have to be


    romantic? Could it not be brotherly or professional?”


    While Rhett’s aggressive stance drew some criticism, it was clear he had achieved his goal, to draw the


    heat of public opinion onto himself and shield Kristin from the spotlight.


    “Rhett.” Hob was livid, practically shaking with rage. Was Rhett trying to push him over the edge?


    “Hob, the Fitzgeralds have gone too far.” Richter barked into the phone, his voice thick with anger,


    “Is this your idea of a solution? Dragging us into court? You want to drive Hertha to her grave?”


    Hob’s face was a thundercloud. He realized Rhett was out of control.


    “Don’t forget, Hob,” Richter reminded him with a dark undertone, “how much effort you put in when


    Rhett’s mother fell ill.”


    The reminder only made Hob’s mood darker, “Richter, if we reach the point of no return, nobody


    wins.”


    “We’re already on the brink of ruin,” Richter snorted, “The Bryce family has called off the engagement.


    One way or another, the FitzGeralds need to make this right. You have three days to think about it, or


    we all go


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    Chapter 224


    down together.”


    After mming the phone down, Hob, in a fit of anger, hurled a water ss against the wall.


    Damn it all.


    “Mr. Hob, please, take it easy,” his assistant urged, handing him some pills for his nerves.


    “Calm down….


    In the boardroom, Rhett walked in before Hob, his authoritative gaze sweeping over the board


    members already seated, “Is thepany going bankrupt? Everyone’s here so punctually today.”


    The directors exchanged uneasy nces, none willing to be the first to speak.


    “Rhett, you’ve gone too far this time,” Nic ventured, breaking the silence.


    “Are you on the board?” Rhett asked, lounging in his chair with a casual air that was far removed from


    his usual presidential poise.


    Nic was taken aback.


    “If you’re not a director, why are you here? Waiting to ring in the New Year?” Rhett motioned for


    security to escort Nic out.


    As Nic left with a scowl, he mentioned, “Rhett, I basically raised you after your mother passed. I


    deserve some respect.”


    “Respect?” Rhett tapped on the table dismissively, “I treated you like a person. Can’t you at least act


    the part?”


    The rest of the elders inhaled sharply. Was Rhett on a rampage? “Rhett, she’s still your stepmother.


    Show some respect for your father.”


    “Respect for my father?” Rhett leaned back, his tone dripping with irony, “I thought he’d lost all his


    decency at his age.”


    York wiped his brow discreetly. Rhett was on a warpath today…


    “Rhett. Don’t overstep,” Vincent mmed the table, rising to confront him, “My mother never wronged


    you, and now you’re disrespecting our father too?”


    “If yelling solved problems, mad dogs would rule the world,” Rhett retorted coolly, sitting up straight.


    Vincent was nearly bursting with fury. Rhett was facing his downfall, yet still so arrogant.


    “Rhett, I’d like to see you keepughingter,” Vincent said through clenched teeth.


    “Don’t worry, and I’dugh even at your mother’s funeral,” Rhett repliedzily.


    York silently looked heavenward, resigning himself to the chaos that was Rhett’s wrath.


    The boardroom was uneasy, and Hob had promised to seize Rhett’s shares and oust him from the


    company. Yet, Rhett didn’t seem the least bit concerned.


    Someone tried to mediate, hoping to ease the tension between Hob and Rhett.


    After all, family disputes like this could cripple the whole operation of the FitzGerald Group.


    Rhett’s talents were unmistakable, and deep down everyone knew that pushing him out wouldn’t do the


    company any long–term favors.


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    But Nic was dangling a very enticing carrot in front of them, and there were always those who


    preferred the immediate gratification to the distant future.


    “Hob’s fit as a fiddle, and I hear he’s even considering a second marriage with the Haywoods,”


    Rhett said with a tilt of his head, ncing over at Nic, “Is that the buzz?”


    The sound of the conference room door being kicked open echoed through the room as Hob


    stormed in.


    Rhett couldn’t help but let out a derisiveugh, finding Hob’s behavior utterly ridiculous.


    “Rhett. Get out. Get out of thispany, as of now, and you are no longer a son of mine.” Hob


    trembled with rage, looking like he might drop dead from anger at any second.


    “Hob.” Nic’s theatrics kicked in as she rushed to his side, sobbing, “Hob, please, don’t be


    angry. You know your health can’t take it.”


    *You ungrateful wretch.” Hob continued to shake with fury.


    “Where’s thewyer? Get them in here. I want to revoke all shares belonging to Rhett, immediately.”


    Hob mmed his hand on the table and bellowed.


    York’s face went pale with anxiety, his eyes darting to Rhett.


    But Rhett seemed as if he were merely a spectator at a y.


    “Hob, calm down, you can’t be hasty about this.”


    “Yeah, Hob.”


    “Don’t be angry with Rhett,” someone from the board tried to y peacemaker.


    Others added fuel to the fire, “Hob, Rhett is beyond your control.”


    Nic’s eyes were red, her face a mask of sorrow, barely concealing the thrill and excitement that


    danced in her eyes.


    Without his shares in the FitzGerald Group, with him out of the picture, what would Rhett amount to?


    “Ungrateful bastard!” Hob was still cursing.


    “Mr. Hob. The CEO of Lewis Enterprises, Hanson, has just arrived personally. He says they are


    interested in an alliance with the Fitzgerald family through marriage and is inquiring about your


    avability.”


    In an instant, Hob’s fury seemed to dissolve into silence.