Chapter 104
Kristin’s breath came in short gasps as she faced James, her gaze defiant yet resolute. “Rhett isn’t that type of person,” she declared.
“Kristin!” James thought she would be shocked and disappointed, but he never imagined Kristin’s first reaction would be to defend Rhett. “You’ve only known him for a few days. How well do you think you understand him? Do you believe a man like Rhett could rise to where he is today by being Mr. Nice Guy?”
“That’s Mr. FitzGerald’s private business. It has nothing to do with me.” Kristin’s heart was pounding, a suffocating weight settling in her chest.
No matter what Rhett was like, it was irrelevant to her. They were only partners.
But why did it have to be Hertha, and why the Haywood family again? She didn’t want to get entangled with the Haywood family anymore.
*Kristin, stay away from Rhett. He’s not like me. I at least have genuine feelings for you and wouldn’t use you. But Rhett… he could ruin you.” James released Kristin, and his voice was heavy with warning.
Kristin looked down, silent.
James tugged at his tie in frustration. Kristin was stubborn, unwilling to see the truth until it was too late. She wouldn’t turn back until she had suffered at the hands of Rhett and the FitzGerald Group.
In Capital City.
Rhett stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows of the hotel, frowning slightly.
Kristin hung up on his call.
Knowing her temperament, she wouldn’t cut off the communication without a serious reason. “Check if something’s happened to Kristin. Ask the housekeeper if she’s returned home, and find out what’s happening at the office,” Rhett commanded York in a deep voice.
York sighed, knowing Kristin was in trouble.
After making several calls, York approached Rhett with a grim face. “The housekeeper said Kristin hasn’t returned home. The office reported that Kristin had confronted Ruby at the company entrance in the daytime. Kristin pushed her, causing Ruby to faint.”
Kristin was becoming reckless, openly assaulting Ruby despite her frail health.
“Do you believe that?” Rhett asked, his voice low as he sat on the sofa. “Did the Turner family stir up trouble for Kristin?”
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“Clarence took Ruby away, and the Turner family has been pulling strings with Nicola and Holcomb, claiming someone like Kristin has no place in the FitzGerald Group.” York sighed. With so many against Kristin’s presence in the FitzGerald Group, he wondered if she could withstand the pressure.
“Pull up the surveillance footage from the company entrance and send it to me. Who did Kristin leave with?” Rhett refused to believe Kristin would intentionally harm Ruby.
“Kristin left with James. It looks like they’ve returned to Crescendo Town.” York glanced at Rhett before adding, “Mr. FitzGerald, I’ve told you before that Summer is James‘ son. Kristin and James are tied together, and this will bring you nothing but trouble.”
Rhett pondered. “She can’t take a leave from the three–day training. She’ll rush back to Silvergrove City before work tomorrow. She must be concerned about something in Crescendo Town and have left with James in such a hurry. Look into that woman named Harriet.”
York hesitated, wondering why Rhett paid so much attention to Kristin. It seemed pointless.
But he carried out Rhett’s orders all the same.
Sure enough, York found out after calling the club that Harriet was in an accident and pushed down a flight of stairs, causing massive bleeding. She lost the baby and almost her life.
*Mr. FitzGerald, Harriet was pregnant and pushed down the stairs. The baby’s gone, and she can’t have children anymore, but she survived.”
Rhett paused, then glanced at the time. Did Kristin seek James‘ help over Harriet’s situation?
She hadn’t fully trusted him, so she hadn’t informed him immediately.
“We’re going to Crescendo Town,” Rhett declared and rose to grab his coat.
York was shocked. “Mr. FitzGerald! You have a meeting tomorrow afternoon. Heading to Crescendo Town now…”
Though it wasn’t far from Capital City to Crescendo Town, just over an hour’s drive, it was late. Why was Rhett making this trip at this hour?
“And if Kristin has gone with James, he will help her sort things out.”
York spoke anxiously.
As Rhett stepped into the elevator, his voice was deep and firm. “She’s currently my wife in the eyes of the law. Do you think I should let her owe favors to another man?”
“But that’s Summer’s dad. How could it…” York trailed off, stomping his foot in frustration. When Rhett made up his mind, no one could change it.
At Crescendo Central Hospital.
“Go on in. I’ll wait for you here,” James told Kristin, gesturing toward the hospital room as he
walked off to the smoking area to light a cigarette.
Feeling uneasy, Kristin reached out for James‘ phone.
James frowned. “Want to contact Rhett?”
“He’s my boss…” Kristin explained.
“It’s after hours now.” James‘ voice carried a hint of jealousy. He wasn’t worried about any other man expect Rhett.
“Why the hell should you tell me what to do?” Kristin’s eyes were blazing, her voice tinged with a defiance she did not feel. She couldn’t risk getting on James‘ bad side.
“Kristin, don’t test my patience,” James warned. His voice was such a low growl that it vibrated with barely contained anger.
Kristin knew she had pushed him too far. She was scared of James. The trauma of being assaulted six years ago had left deep scars, and his fury was the last thing she wanted to unleash.
Head bowed, she walked into the hospital room, her mind racing with how to explain everything to Rhett.
In the room, Harriet lay on the bed, her face ghostly pale, her eyes dull as they stared out the window.
“Kris,” Yara was still there, eyes tinged with palpable worry. It was clear that Yara was a good soul the only o
steadfast enough to remain by Harriet’s side in her time of need.
After hearing Yara call Kristin, Harriet seemed to snap back to reality, turning to look at Kristin, unable to hold back her emotions any longer.
“Harriet,” Kristin softly said as she approached the bedside and reached her hand.
Without a word, Harriet clung to Kristin tightly.
Three years in prison gave them an understanding of each other’s pain that words could never convey. It was a silent scream, a raw and helpless outcry, shattering the soul without solace.
“How’s life in Silvergrove City?” Harriet asked in a whisper.
Kristin just nodded.
They didn’t talk about Harriet’s lost child or her uterus, not because they didn’t care, but because they understood each other too well.
“I got a job at the FitzGerald Group. I am still in training and must get back tonight. I’m in a three–day assessment period. If I pass, I’ll become Rhett’s assistant,” Kristin confided in a hushed tone.
Harriet took a deep breath. “Kris, you’ve got to hold on tight to Rhett. Ride on his coattails.”
Kristin nodded silently.
“You need to reach heights where those people can’t touch you.” Harriet’s voice was weary.
Kristin didn’t respond.
“Kris, once I’m discharged and settle things here, I’ll go to Silvergrove City. I need a fresh start.” Harriet said with a raspy chuckle.
“Sure, I’ll be waiting for you in Silvergrove City,” Kristin reassured her, patting her back.
“Harriet…”
Harriet was about to continue when her gaze landed on a man entering the room.
Kristin also turned to look and recognized the club manager she had met before. He was handsome, with well–defined features, but she hadn’t expected him to be so spineless.
“Harriet, the club’s been hectic. I just got the chance to come see you,” the man said softly. “How are you doing?”
Despite knowing what had happened, he feigned ignorance.
Harriet’s expression turned cold. “I lost the baby, your baby, and my uterus, either.”
She laid the truth bare since he chose to play dumb.
“Harriet, take care of yourself. Here’s thirty thousand,” the man said, placing the money on the bed before leaving.
“A child is a woman’s entire life… thirty thousand? You’re not much of a man,” Yara spat out angrily.
Kristin watched the man, feeling the sting of irony.
That was the bitter truth of the matter.
“It’s not my fault that she fell down the stairs. Now she can’t have kids anymore…” the man muttered as he walked away.
