Chapter 103
Kristin took a deep breath as she faced Clarence, her gaze steady and defiant. “You could check the surveillance cameras yourself,” she pointed out.
The FitzGerald Group had cameras at every corner around its entrance. Security was tight, and nothing went unnoticed.
He should have come with proof if he would accuse her of something, not just tossed accusations around like confetti. But Kristin didn’t bother explaining. She knew it was futile.. Clarence had already judged her the moment he pushed her away.
Clarence’s frown deepened, and his eyes clouded with complexity as he looked at her.
“Let’s go,” James said, reaching to take Kristin’s hand, but she deftly sidestepped his touch.
With her head bowed in silence, she climbed into James‘ car.
James sighed. Kristin was truly stubborn. Yet he couldn’t be too harsh with her, not when Summer was still the link that bound them.
“Kris, why the sudden visit to the FitzGerald Group?” James was concerned about her presence
there.
Kristin had managed to secure a position at the FitzGerald Group. There was no doubt Rhett had extended an olive branch to her. But with players like Vincent and Nicola in the mix, there was no way they would make her stay at the FitzGerald Group comfortable.
He wished he could hide her away, keep her locked up, but he knew Kristin inside out. She was not one to be caged.
“The FitzGerald Group is great. They offered me a good salary.” Kristin murmured.
“If you want, you could come work with me. I’ll pay you double what the FitzGerald Group does,” James said, his brow furrowing.
“And do what exactly by your side?” Kristin asked.
James paused, momentarily stunned.
Kristin had been expelled from her academic program. Her credential was a high school diplorna. What position could she possibly fill at Aurora Tech? “You’d be my assistant,” he finally said.
“Assistants don’t need that high a salary,” she replied quietly, her gaze steady.
James still treated her differently because he didn’t believe she was capable of her job. But Rhett trusted her, and that trust was comforting.
So, she preferred a regular salary for a normal position, not double.
“Kris, must you always be so headstrong?” James ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “The
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corporate world is complex, a microcosm of society itself, and sometimes even more intricate.” He couldn’t stand the thought of Kristin getting mistreated anymore.
Kristin tucked her hands into her sleeves, staying silent.
James reached out to her. “What’s wrong with your hands?”
She shook her head, remaining quiet.
“Let me see.” He grasped her wrist, pulling it toward him, and only then did he notice the abrasions on her palm, the blood dried between her fingers.
James‘ face darkened with anger, and he cursed under his breath as he fetched a first aid kit from the car and tended to her wounds. Kristin didn’t speak or make a sound the entire time.
“Kris, why put up with all this? Stay by my side, keep me company, and I won’t let you get hurt again. I won’t make the same mistake twice,” he said, still not understanding her.
Kristin could have an easy life if she stayed with him, but she seemed determined to make things difficult for herself.
“By your side, as your secret mistress?” she retorted sharply.
James was shocked. He hadn’t realized Kristin could be so sharp–tongued.
“It doesn’t have to be like that. My marriage to the Haywood family is just a business arrangement, for my grandfather’s sake,” he tried to explain.
Kristin got what James meant. As long as Carter was alive, James couldn’t divorce Adrienne. He had to maintain that relationship. But if Carter passed away, he would divorce Adrienne in a heartbeat.
He was asking Kristin to wait for Carter’s death.
“Even if I’m by your side when Carter dies, you won’t marry me,” she stated plainly.
Perhaps James would divorce Adrienne but would never give Kristin a legitimate status.
“Does a title matter so much? Once I divorce Adrienne, there will be only you. Everything will be yours except for that marriage certificate,” James said, rubbing his temples.
Kristin looked out the car window, feeling drained.
Everything was hers, but what did she have?
Even Rhett understood that only a marriage certificate could give her the peace of mind to collaborate.
With a bittersweet smile, Kristin felt a sting in her eyes as tears threatened to spill. Her marriage to Rhett was just as much a business arrangement as James‘ to Adrienne.
It was a sad parallel
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Yet the security and respect Rhett could offer her were things James couldn’t provide.
“Think it over,” James insisted.
Nicola wouldn’t let her stay at the FitzGerald Group, and once Vincent was back, he wouldn’t let her off easily, either.
And then, there was the Haywood family. Once Adrienne was free, she’d surely come after Kristin.
James was worried about Kristin’s safety if she wasn’t around.
“James, I have my own life to live, a son to raise, a brother to care for. I am a person,” Kristin said, grateful for his help but resolute in her stance. “Status and marriage mean a lot to me, even if I, as I am, don’t deserve them.”
Kristin had envisioned her wedding day co
gown. But for now, those dreams were on hold.
times, dressing up in the most beautiful
Strolling down an aisle strewn with roses, she walked toward the love of her life, her husband–to–be. But such fantasies would never materialize because no man was willing to give her a title, not even the dignity of a wedding ceremony.
Her secret marriage to Rhett was nothing more than a transaction,
James frowned as he watched Kristin, who saw things through yet failed to understand the most obvious truths. After all, she was still so fresh to the world, her experiences too few.
In pain, he realized he had to let her suffer a bit more before she would understand that staying by his side was the best option.
“You want to stay at the FitzGerald Group? Rhett won’t look out for you,” James sighed.
“I’ll do everything in my power,” Kristin replied with a determined gaze.
James‘ heart tightened. “Call me if anything happens. After visiting Harriet, I’ll have Bill drive you back.”
The drive from Crescendo Town to Silvergrove City needed to be quick if she didn’t want to miss work the next day. Highways and speed were the only options.
Kristin didn’t refuse, simply nodding her agreement.
They arrived at Crescendo Central Hospital.
Bill had driven for over four hours from 5:50 PM to 10:00 PM.
“You’ve been a great help…” Kristin whispered her thanks as she approached Bill.
“Ah, it’s nothing. Go on up with Mr. Bryce. I’ll rest in the car for a bit, then drive you back later.” Bill said with a wave of his hand.
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Seeing Kristin’s hesitance. Bill spoke again. “If you feel you’re troubling me, it’ll be morning by the time we get to Silvergrove City. Just treat me to breakfast. How about that?”
Kristin looked up at Bill and nodded vigorously with a smile, “Sure, what would you like?
Bill paused, taken aback as he gazed at her.
She was still so lovely when she smiled.
“Some pancakes and orange juice would be great. I’ve been craving that diner on Seaside Avenue.” Bill said with a smile.
Kristin nodded. “Deal!”
“Let’s go.” James said, glancing at Bill Irritatingly. He didn’t like seeing Kristin smiling with someone else.
Kristin turned and followed James, speaking softly. “The doctor said Harriet’s condition…”
“I’ve instructed the doctors to do their best, but saving her uterus is unlikely. She’ll need a good recovery, and the club will provide her with the necessary compensation,” James said as he entered the hospital elevator.
Kristin followed, feeling a sense of loss.
Without a uterus. Harriet could never have her children. And Kristin knew Harriet loved kids.
In prison, Harriet always enjoyed asking about Summer, Kristin’s son. It was clear she adored children.
When Harriet was released, she even asked for a photo of Summer.
Kristin’s phone rang. It was Rhett.
In her panic, she fumbled with the phone, which had crashed to the floor.
James picked it up, his expression darkening.
“Give it back to me…” Kristin was flustered.
Seeing Kristin’s nervousness irritated James further.
He hung up on Rhett and pulled Kristin into a corner. “Kristin, do you think Rhett is a saint? Did you know he slept with Adrienne’s sister, Hertha? He didn’t take responsibility, and it drove Hertha to attempt suicide several times.”
