Chapter 101
In the company break room, Kristin sat clutching her soda, her grip tight on her phone.
Everything had to be okay. Harriet had to pull through.
Kristin viewed Harriet as the type of woman who could thrive and bloom, even when life tossed her into the mud. She was tough.
In prison, Harriet had confided about losing a child because she hadn’t known the man was married. When she got pregnant with his child and later discovered the truth, she confronted him for money, threatening to get an abortion if he didn’t pay up.
The truth was that she had already terminated the pregnancy.
It was all about getting back at that jerk, but ironically, he and his wife had her thrown in jail for extortion. What a joke.
Harriet had said in prison that men were all the same, and she’d never trust one again.
Once out, she vowed to use men as stepping stones to climb up the ladder.
But somehow, she had been deceived by a man again.
That weak man watched her get hit and was too scared to come out and protect her.
Men like that were more disgusting than con artists.
“No eating in here. It’s disgusting. What’s that smell? It’s gross.”
A colleague made a snide remark.
Kristin looked down at her soda. Just a soda. Everyone else was drinking coffee there.
Was there such a big difference between coffee and soda?
“It’s probably her smell, right? Too many men, and you end up with that cheap scent.”
Kristin’s fingers stiffened around her phone. They were talking about her.
“Kristin, come here for a sec.” The HR manager called from the office.
Kristin stood up, downed her soda, tossed it in the trash, and hurried to the office.
“Kristin, it’s about your educational background. We can only verify a high school diploma. Here at the FitzGerald Group, we have strict educational requirements. You don’t quite meet them,” Lisa said gravely. “I suggest you talk to York and take the initiative to step down. It’ll look better for everyone.”
Kristin stayed silent.
“Or I could reassign you. With your educational level, you could clean the dining area or the bathrooms, Lisa said, attempting to humiliate Kristin.
Kristin didn’t see anything wrong with those jobs. As long as she could earn money, any job was honorable.
“I’d like to try the assessment in three days.” Kristin faced Lisa, unyielding.
The assessment was York’s domain as Rhett’s assistant.
Lisa frowned, finding Kristin stubborn. “You’ve seen the caliber of our staff. Everyone is from top universities, and even the less critical roles are filled by PhDs. Are you sure you want to risk public outrage for this job?”
“I am a student from Silvergrove University, majoring in Business Administration. I’ve been the top one in my class for three consecutive terms. I’m fluent in four languages and proficient in psychology, managerial psychology, marketing, and joint venture management. I completed all my credits before leaving school. They may not have kept my records, but I don’t believe I’m Inferlor to those you mentioned.”
Kristin stared back at Lisa quietly, then spoke again. “You’re the HR manager. You know the CEO’s assistant is a position filled by personal appointment. You know this, yet you position me as an adversary. That’s not wise.”
If the HR manager didn’t side with Rhett, she’d be a trouble in the future.
It would be hard for Kristin to deal with Lisa directly, and a misstep could backfire. She had to win her over to hold leverage. But it wasn’t the time yet.
Kristin just needed to remind Lisa to be careful at the moment and not to be used by others.
Lisa regarded Kristin thoughtfully, then smiled. “If you believe you’re up to the job, I look forward to seeing you prove it.”
York’s decision to appoint Kristin as the assistant must have been Rhett’s instruction.
Nicola couldn’t accept Kristin’s presence and demanded Lisa get rid of her.
She’d be openly defying Rhett if Lisa complied.
With the FitzGerald Group’s unclear power dynamics, Lisa had to consider her alliances
carefully.
“I won’t disappoint you,” Kristin said, bowing slightly before leaving the office.
Lisa watched her leave with a speculative eye. Perhaps Nicola’s wariness of Kristin wasn’t
unfounded.
She was seemingly harmless and tender yet surprisingly assertive.
In the work area, Kristin poured over Rhett’s past schedules, noting the details his previous assistant had missed.
“Here.” York entered, placing a box of sandwiches on her desk. “You didn’t have lunch, did you?
Mr. FitzGerald told me to bring this to you.” He glanced around to ensure no one was within earshot. “Don’t disappoint me by not making it through these three days.”
“I won’t.” Kristin assured him.
The office was abuzz with whispers about her, but because of York, they didn’t dare speak openly,
York had deliberately walked her through the office, a clear signal to everyone that Kristin was under his protection, a move also intended by Rhett.
“Mr. FitzGerald is heading to Capital City and will be back the day after tomorrow. He’s in the underground parking, wanting you to meet him there.”
York tapped the desk. “Come on.”
Kristin hesitated, surprised by Rhett’s trip. She quickly gathered her things, always ready, and followed York.
As they walked, employees murmured, but none too loudly, respecting York’s presence and his obvious protection of Kristin.
York’s actions were not just a direct message to the staff. They were a strategic maneuver in the complex corporate loyalty and power game.
York felt a bit sour, to be honest. They had a bet, and Rhett had promised not to meddle and to let Kristin handle things alone. Yet here he was, covertly lending a helping hand.
Grumbling under his breath, York entered the elevator and glanced at Kristin. What was so special about her? Why did Mr. FitzGerald treat her so differently?
They went to the underground parking lot, where Kristin cautiously got into Rhett’s car. “Mr. FitzGerald, you going on a business trip?”
“Yep, the babysitter will stay over tonight. No need to worry.” Rhett confirmed with a nod.
“I…” Kristin hesitated, not revealing her plans to visit Crescendo Town.
After work, she wanted to travel to Crescendo Town to check on Harriet, then hustle back through the night.
She wouldn’t miss a beat of work the following day.
But considering she and Rhett were just business partners, Kristin kept it to herself, afraid to cause him trouble.
“First day, how’s it going?” Rhett broke the silence.
Noticing York hadn’t joined them in the car, Kristin spoke softly. “Mr. FitzGerald, are you aware the HR manager is Nicola’s person?”
Rhett’s eyebrows lifted, but he didn’t respond.
Of course, he knew. He knew well that Lisa was a tough nut to crack, hard to handle, especially
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alter over twenty years with the company, a decade under Holcomb’s wing.
“Mr. FitzGerald, are you planning to win her over?” Kristin was curious about Rhett’s plans. “Or… to let her go?”
Rhett’s lips curved into a half–smile. “She’s been with the company for ages. Letting her go would be a loss.”
When company interests were secured, winning Lisa over was the natural course.
“I can handle it.” Kristin’s gaze was firm. She had a plan.
Rhett paused, his gaze deepening as he looked at her.
He might have dismissed anyone else’s words as bravado, but coming from Kristin, he found them believable.
“What’s your plan?” Rhett asked, smiling.
“What happens if you eat peanuts, Mr. FitzGerald?” Kristin eyed him nervously.
“Anaphylaxis. Trouble breathing, shock in severe cases.”
Rhett disclosed his vulnerability without hesitation.
Kristin’s mouth fell open, and then she lowered her voice. “I might need you to take a little risk, Mr. FitzGerald…”
Rhett chuckled. “Alright, we’ll talk when I return from my trip.”
He didn’t even realize his tone had softened, almost sounding indulgent.
