Chapter 115
Kristin exited the subway station and hurried into the FitzGerald Group’s high–rise. As Rhett’s assistant, it was her job to beat the morning rush and be at her desk before Rhett arrived.
“Kristin! What a coincidence! Fancy seeing you here,” Hertha called out excitedly from the company’s lounge area.
She was looking stunning. Her long, smooth hair was natural, cascading over her shoulders. Her flawless skin was in a touch of nude makeup, and she wore a crisp white sundress that made her smile shine as brightly as a lily in full bloom.
Kristin paused, caught off guard. Hertha…
Suddenly, she remembered James mentioning a complicated past between Hertha and Rhett.
Kristin felt a lump in her throat and her fingers involuntarily balled up. “Ms. Haywood…” she managed to squeak out.
“Are you working for the FitzGerald Group?” Hertha asked in surprise.
Kristin nodded.
“Kris, you’re amazing! Getting into the FitzGerald Group isn’t easy. It’s usually Ivy League graduates or the like. Which college did you attend?” Hertha looked at Kristin with admiration.
Kristin took a deep breath, glancing back at the other employees who were whispering.
It was time for work, and the lobby was bustling.
Hertha’s innocence made it hard to think she had any ulterior motives, but Kristin had long since stopped taking people at face value.
Beneath a guise of naivety, one couldn’t always expect to find a kind heart.
“What brings you here, Ms. Haywood?” Kristin asked politely.
“I’m waiting for Rhett,” Hertha beamed, grasping Kristin’s hand. “Since you work here, have you seen him? He’s as handsome as the guy I told you about.” Hertha leaned in and quietly confessed, “He’s the guy I’m into.”
Kristin stiffened but said nothing.
“Ms. Haywood, what are you doing standing around? Please come in,” Rhett’s secretary
appeared, chastising the receptionist. “In the future, Ms. Haywood should not have to wait. Mr. FitzGerald has made it clear she can come and go as she pleases.”
Rhett had granted Hertha special privileges.
“Kristin, what are you standing there for? Take care of Ms. Haywood,” the secretary reprimanded, implying Kristin lacked initiative as an assistant.
Caught off guard, Kristin quickly stepped forward. “Ms. Haywood, right this way, please.”
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“Mr. FitzGerald has never extended such privileges to anyone. Ms. Haywood receives VIP treatment every time she visits. Several times, Mr. FitzGerald has even personally escorted her. I bet she’s going to be the wife of our CEO.”
“I heard the Haywood and FitzGerald families are considering a union. Mr. Vincent is already engaged to the Turner heiress, leaving only Mr. Rhett.”
As Kristin followed the secretary and Hertha into the elevator, she overheard the receptionist’s gossip, feeling distracted.
“Ms. Haywood, this is Mr. FitzGerald’s assistant. If you need anything, she’ll handle it,” the secretary said ingratiatingly.
Kristin frowned slightly. She was Rhett’s assistant, not a servant to everyone.
For some reason, she felt a pang of displeasure.
“Kris, you’re Rhett’s assistant?” Hertha exclaimed, then hugged Kristin’s arm happily. “We’re such good friends. You’ll keep an eye on Rhett for me, right? If any little bitch tries to snatch him away from me, you’ll have to help me out.” Hertha spoke half–jokingly.
Kristin remained silent, her head down, emotions swirling.
“Kristin, ensure Ms. Haywood is comfortable. She might become Mrs. FitzGerald, the lady boss of the FitzGerald Group,” the secretary whispered, pulling Kristin aside. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’d better make a good impression.”
Kristin’s fingers tightened nervously, and she remained speechless.
Would Rhett marry Hertha after their marriage ended?
Hertha was beautiful, pure, and free from artificial scents, a type Rhett would likely fall for..
“Kristin.” Hertha called softly from Rhett’s office, “I skipped breakfast this morning and I’m feeling a bit low on sugar. Could you grab me something to eat?”
Kristin hesitated, wanting to refuse. It was nearly time to start work, and Rhett would be arriving soon. As his assistant, she couldn’t afford to be late.
The clock was ticking.
“Kris, I’m so hungry,” Hertha pleaded. “If Rhett has to get it for me, he’ll lecture me again. He’ll be upset if he finds out I didn’t eat before coming here. Please?”
Kristin looked at Hertha and nodded. “Okay.”
She hurried toward the elevator, checking the time as she went to get Hertha’s breakfast.
After Kristin left, Hertha glanced at her wristwatch.
Rhett hated procrastination more than anything. He valued punctuality highly.
At 8:30 sharp, Rhett entered the office.
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1157 ►
nute chalisname to the tue sedistant
krien instinctively leaked at shell and boud spetegetically. Im sorry Me Maywood, dent manage to ust breakfast:
Hertha’s expression darkened slightly. Frisin’s move was a May
Bhelfe eves glow stem as he stood and took the documents from Kristin. “You’re my assistant. You take ardere from me. What’s with the running around7 Fome with me to the meeting.
Kristim fell a sting from Rhett’s ‘scalding, though she was somermal wrong.
But if was clear thell wasn’t truly chading her. He had reinforced that she was his assistant alone, not beholden to anyone else’s demands.
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Seeing Hertha but not Kristin, he frowned. “Mr. FitzGerald, where’s Kristin? There’s a meeting at 8:40, Where’s the material she prepared for you?”
The secretary followed Rhett in, frantically searching for Kristin.
This assistant had no sense of responsibility, running off at a time like this.
“Rhett, is there something important? Shall I help you find it?” Hertha asked with innocence.
The clock struck 8:40, and Kristin was nowhere to be seen.
Rhett said nothing. “Why aren’t you resting at home? What brings you here?”
Hertha stood up, sauntered to Rhett, and cooed, ‘Rhett, I’ve missed you.”
Rhett stepped back, maintaining a distance. “Let York drive you home.”
After that, he turned to his secretary. “Call Kristin. Where the heck is she?”
It was clear Rhett was not pleased.
“Rhett, your new secretary? How can she wander off during work hours?” Hertha feigned innocence.
Rhett glanced at his watch. “The firm’s slammed lately. No time to drop by. I was free this Saturday, but the Harborside Haven project needs me there ahead of schedule.”
“I came here about that project.” Hertha said, beaming. “Eddie from Coastal International was
my senior at Silvergrove University. We’re pretty tight. I already told him I would come with you on Saturday. I’ve got it all arranged.”
Hertha intended to meet the business partner as Rhett’s plus one.
Rhett frowned. “This is work, not child’s play.”
“I’m trying to help you. Vincent’s already at Harborside Haven, and your stepmom also longed for the project. I’m definitely on your side,” Hertha said with a confident grin.
“We’ll see.”
Outside, upon receiving the secretary’s call, Kristin hurried back without even grabbing breakfast.
Compared to Hertha, Rhett’s concerns were naturally a priority for her.
“Mr. FitzGerald, I apologize. I wasn’t aware the Milo project was ahead of schedule. Here’s the prep work I did in advance.” Kristin rushed into the office and began pulling out documents. “I’m
so sorry.
“What do you think you’re doing, Kristin? As the president’s assistant, you shouldn’t be gallivanting around during work hours,” the secretary chided, following her in.
Kristin glanced at Hertha and then at the secretary, quickly piecing things together.
However, Hertha feigned innocence, “Kris, Rhett is quite the stickler for punctuality. It must be
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quite challenging to be his assistant.”
Kristin instinctively looked at Rhett and bowed apologetically. “I’m sorry, Ms. Haywood. I dides manage to get breakfast.”
Hertha’s expression darkened slightly, Kristin’s move was quite a play.
Rhett’s eyes grew stern as he stood and took the documents from Kristin. “You’re my assistant. You take orders from me. What’s with the running around? Come with me to the meeting.”
Kristin felt a sting from Rhett’s ‘scolding, though she was somewhat wrong.
But it was clear Rhett wasn’t truly chiding her. He had reinforced that she was his
alone, not beholden to anyone else’s demands.
