Chapter 109
Lisa was the kind of veteran employee who wore her tenure like a badge of honor. She strutted. through the halls with arrogance, born from years of service, as if she owned the place..
A minor hiccup here or there wouldn’t ruffle her feathers.
Kristin knew she’d have to knock Lisa down a peg or two to win Lisa over to Rhett’s side.
She would have to shave off that layer of ego, at least.
“When do you plan to use me?” Rhett remembered Kristin asking him about his peanut allergy.
“Strike while the iron’s hot. Tomorrow, um, tomorrow…” Kristin stammered, still a bit apprehensive. “Don’t fret, Mr. FitzGerald. I’ll have the antihistamines ready. There won’t be any danger.”
Offering a smile, Rhett said, “Well, I look forward to your pledge of loyalty.”
Kristin nodded vigorously with her head bowed.
“Come on. Let me show you around the company.”
Rhett’s offer to personally acquaint her with the company left Kristin stunned.
That wasn’t just a tour. It was Rhett lending her his clout.
As Rhett’s assistant, Kristin would have to interact with all departments. He knew they wouldn’t roll out the red carpet for her, so to get ahead of the curve and streamline efficiency, he needed to establish her authority early on.
Kristin’s palms were warm. Her usually clenched fingers slowly relaxed as she followed Rhett, glancing at him secretly from behind.
Rhett was a man of innate aloofness and detachment, seemingly indifferent to everything around him.
Kristin had once thought Rhett was unfeeling, recalling her teenage years spent avoiding him during visits to the FitzGerald Mansion.
She was fearful of him primarily because Vincent was. Yet, she perceived a different facet of his character. He was cold, undoubtedly, but not devoid of principles.
She needed to work harder to prove her worth to Rhett.
That way, even if their ‘marriage of convenience‘ ended, she could remain his most trusted aide.
“Mr. FitzGerald, your schedule is packed. Even your usual Saturday off might be taken up this week due to the Coastal International partnership at Harborside Haven,” she reported when there was a moment to speak.
“Didn’t York mention that an early Sunday departure would suffice?” Rhett inquired coolly.
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“That’s true. Mr. FitzGerald, but it’s the first collaboration between the FitzGerald Group and Coastal International. The project at Harborside Haven is crucial for our expansion into the coastal market.”
Kristin’s stutter vanished when discussing work.
“I’ve done my homework on Eddie Jose of Coastal International. He’s a man who values his pride and prefers a bit of flattery. Arriving early and visiting him the same night is strategic for success rates and leaves a solid impression.”
Rhett’s standing in the industry was unshakable, yet some still found his youth and pride irritating. Some resented his perceived arrogance, preferring Vincent’s feigned humility and approachability.
Kristin intended to anticipate Rhett’s needs in every way.
Rhett halted, turning to face her. “Day one on the job, and you’re already planning my only day off?”
Kristin stumbled over her words, scrambling for an excuse. “Harborside Haven… it’s a resort area, scenic. Good for a, um, a walk, a rest.”
He nodded, saying nothing more, tacitly approving her plans.
Keeping Kristin as his assistant seemed like a stroke of genius to Rhett.
After all, York was a man, and there were some things he didn’t consider as carefully as Kristin
did.
Moreover, York was a relative from his mother’s side bound for promotion. He couldn’t keep York as an aide forever. But it seemed Kristin could be by his side for a lifetime.
He paused again, catching himself off guard.
Caught unawares, Kristin bumped into Rhett. “Mr. FitzGerald, any instructions?”
Rhett pondered for a moment. “What do you feel like for dinner?”
Confused, Kristin looked around before whispering, “Mr. FitzGerald, we’re on the clock.”
He nodded. “After hours?”
Taking a deep breath, Kristin was honest. “James reached out and said he wanted to check on Summer.”
At her words, Rhett’s expression darkened instantly.
Seeing Rhett had fallen silent, Kristin followed suit, her presence muted.
She opened her mouth to explain, then closed it again. Was it necessary to say Summer’s doctor had asked for his birth father’s cooperation for a check–up? It seemed redundant.
If it weren’t for Summer, Kristin would never contact James again.
Chapter 109
But James knew there would always be a connection between them as long as Summer
existed.
“Good day, Mr. FitzGerald.”
“Mr. FitzGerald, what brings you to our department?” A friendly department head inquired with a smile.
Stone–faced, Rhett replied tersely, “Don’t you have work to do?”
The department head silently retorted, ‘I’m working here. Aren’t you the one strolling around with your assistant?”
“Is there something you need, Mr. FitzGerald?” Another brave soul asked.
“This is the new assistant. Make her acquaintance. It’ll smooth out the workflow for later. Rhett introduced Kristin, setting the stage for her new role.
The manager was left utterly surprised. Were executive assistants hustling that hard these days? Did the CEO need to provide a grand tour of the departments? And where in the world was York?
“Hi, I’m Kristin.” Kristin hurried forward, eager to make a good impression.
“Hi, my pleasure to meet you,” the manager smiled politely, extending his hand for a shake.
Rhett gave the manager a sidelong glance. “Did you wash your hands?”
The manager hastily pulled back his hand. Did one really need to wash their hands before a handshake with an assistant?
Once Rhett left without another word, Kristin quickly jogged after him.
The department erupted into a frenzy when Kristin and Rhett were out of sight.
Speculation ran rampant. “Who is this Kristin, anyway?
has been swirling since she
arrived, and now Mr. FitzGerald is personally escorting her around. What kind of special treatment is this?”
“Didn’t I hear she was once engaged to Mr. Vincent?”
“Shush! Let’s not talk about Kristin so openly. Did you see the group chat? Clyde and the others. posted public apologies and announced their resignations!”
That shut everyone up fast. Kristin was not someone to mess with.
When the clock struck the end of the workday, Kristin didn’t dare leave her post because Rhett showed no sign of calling it a day.
The assistant couldn’t clock out early if the boss wasn’t leaving.
Fidgeting nervously, Kristin stole glances at Rhett. The schedule didn’t show after–hours work,
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so why wasn’t Rhett showing any intention to wrap up?
Rhett, his face a study in stern concentration, was thumbing through documents, tapping his fingers lightly on the desktop.
“Mr. FitzGerald…” Kristin glanced at the clock. She had an appointment with the doctor at six.
“There’s one more document that needs your signature,” Rhett said, placing the file on the desk. “In a hurry to leave?”
Kristin waved her hands hastily. “I… no, it’s just that Summer’s doctor asked James to come in for a check–up,” she explained softly.
“Have Garner take care of it,” Rhett said, frowning slightly.
Kristin nodded quickly. “Of course.”
Downstairs at FitzGerald Group’s headquarters, James sat in his car with a scowl across his face. It was already six o’clock. Why on earth hadn’t Rhett let Kristin leave yet?
