Chapter 113
Rhett had always been a rock of sensibility, even as a child.
Perhaps it was the influence of his upbringing, but at the tender age of five, he was already navigating life with the steadfastness of an old soul under the wing of Lucius.
While his peers were testing boundaries and riding the tumultuous waves of adolescence, Rhett stood apart. his actions always measured and deliberate.
Before he embarked on any endeavor, he meticulously weighed its worth, plotting out the potential outcomes with the precision of a seasoned strategist.
Even during kindergarten, when the teacher offered the chance to take home and care for the class pet a privilege granted to top students. Rhett declined without a second thought.
He knew accepting a pet meant accepting responsibility and the inevitable heartache of its eventuel passing after a decade or so. He was a man who understood the value of cutting losses early.
To Rhett emotions and romantic entanglements were merely abstract concepts. His razor–sharp rationality saw no room for the chaotic dance of hormones or the folly of love.
Yet he never imagined he would be so driven by impulse as to contemplate fighting for a women’s right to her child, a move with no discernible benefit.
“Think it through.” Rhett said to Kristin, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that belied his calm exterior.
Once he made a decision, he wouldn’t change his mind.
Whether it meant conflict with the powerful Bryce family, a tarnished reputation, or just plain inconvenience, nothing seemed to faze him. With his capabilities, he could afford to dismiss such troubles with a contemptuous flick of his wrist.
“Being with the Bryce family does seem like a much better bet than sticking with me.” Kristin said, her fingers slowly unraveling from the tight clasp they had formed, a resigned smile curving her lips.
After all she couldn’t afford to be too indebted to Rhett.
“Mr. FitzGerald, I can go up by myself. You don’t need to come along. It’s a family matter…” Kristin’s voice was barely above a whisper.
Rhett’s brow furrowed, and he remained silent, his irritation mounting.
The mention of ‘family matter‘ irked him. Was she implying that because she and James shared Summer, their issues were family matters, and he, her husband in name only, was an outsider? Just a business partner?
With a short, Rhett spoke in a deep tone. “Call me if you need anything, even if it’s just a buzz.
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Kristin lifted her gaze to meet his, saying, “Do you extend this courtesy to all your business associates?”
She wasn’t sure what she was hoping for. Was she expecting to be the exception in Rhett’s world?
Looking down, Kristin clenched her fists, a self–deprecating smile flashing before she stepped out of the car and walked away.
Rhett watched Kristin disappear into the hotel, a restless agitation simmering within him.
In the suite’s living room, she could hear Carter’s boisterous laughter down the hall.
“My, my, look at this little genius! He’s got James‘ smarts as a boy.” Carter boasted, clearly enamored with Summer after just a few hours.
“Great–grandpa, my mom says all this is pretty simple stuff, not worth showing off. She says we should be humble,” Summer chirped from his spot on the carpet, having easily solved all the puzzle toys before him.
It was clear Carter was fond of Summer. He seemed ready to acknowledge Summer’s place in the family without another paternity test.
The child was too charming to resist.
“Summer!” James burst into the room, sweeping Summer into his arms. “Grandpa…”
Carter’s expression darkened. He huffed, “You’re too big for your britches now, James, not even answering my calls.”
The fallout from James‘ decision to leave with Kristin had led to a standoff, with James refusing to return home, no matter how desperately Carter tried to reach him. Carter had event faked a heart attack to lure him back, but once James uncovered the ruse, he left that night, vowing never to take another call from Carter.
It was out of sheer necessity that Carter came to Silvergrove City to see how this siren Kristin had managed to seize his grandson’s heart.
Of course, Carter’s primary interest was in his great–grandson, the newest addition to the Bryce legacy.
“Grandpa, this has nothing to do with Summer or Kristin, and you shouldn’t have taken Summer without saying a word,” James said, trying to balance reproach with respect for his grandfather.
“I chose to go with Great–grandpa,” Summer interjected, coming to Carter’s defense.
James paused, looking down at his son. “Why?”
Summer remained silent, and his thoughts were unreadable.
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He wasn’t thrilled about acknowledging James as his father. He preferred Rhett. But he understood what a paternity test meant. It meant he was James‘ son genetically.
He knew that with such proof, they could take him away from his mother.
Summer was mature beyond his years, and he needed to outmaneuver them. He didn’t want his mother to suffer or to be taken away by Carter.
So, he showcased his intelligence and his mother’s successful upbringing, emphasizing his happiness with her and his enrollment in the nation’s top program for gifted children.
He resolved to study harder and grow stronger until he could protect Kristin. He was fighting for time with his mother.
“Mr. Carter, Kristin is here,” the assistant announced, ushering Kristin into the room.
That was Carter’s first encounter with Kristin.
He had to admit that Kristin was stunning, with delicate features that any man would find alluring.
James had good taste, and Carter had researched Kristin thoroughly. Her accolades of being the top student in the province and a young prodigy were impressive enough to match James.
But the truth was hard to ignore.
Fake was fake, no matter how appealing the package was.
“You should be grateful for your good genes, but did you think you could deceive the Bryce family? Your scheming is far too obvious,” Carter said, his voice devoid of warmth.
Summer rushed to Carter’s side. “Great–grandpa, do you like my mom? She’s kind.”
Carter had a soft spot for Summer and knew better than to berate Kristin before her child. “The smartest thing your mother ever did was give birth to you,” he remarked, a grudging respect in his tone.
In his adorable voice, Summer told his Carter, “My mom’s here to pick me up. We’re going home, but I’ll miss you.”
Carter’s smile was so big that it nearly split his face, but he didn’t want to frighten the child, so he motioned for Kristin to take Summer away.
As for discussing custody issues with Kristin, he would carve out sometime the next day for a private conversation.
Children were innocent, after all.
“Mommy, can we go home?” Summer turned and hugged Kristin, looking up at her.
Kristin gave Summer a tense smile before glancing at Carter.
*Summer, take your toys and all these with you,” Carter said, gesturing to a small mountain of clothes and shoes he had bought for his great–grandson.
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His great–grandson should never look like some ragamuffin, though Summer looked good in anything.
“No, Great–grandpa, I like you, but Mommy said we shouldn’t take things from others. These aren’t mine,” Summer said, shaking his head. He couldn’t take them.
Kristin felt a twinge in her heart as she held Summer’s hand, keeping her head low.
She didn’t need to explain. Summer’s upbringing was her most compelling argument.
Carter glanced at Kristin involuntarily, surprised that a woman he had pegged for greedy had taught her child not to take others‘ belongings so freely. “Don’t you like these clothes and toys, Summer?”
A look of longing flickered in Summer’s eyes. “I like them, but Mommy says if you want something, you must work for it, not just get it from someone else.”
Carter looked at Kristin meaningfully. “James, take Summer outside for a moment. I’d like to have a word with Kristin.”
