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At the Executive Dining Lounge on the second floor.
This place was reserved for the top brass of the company, boasting an ambiance that could rival any five–star hotel
Kristin felt like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole into Wonderland as she entered the executive dining lounge. It was a stark contrast to the bustling employee cafeteria downstairs. This was tranquility and luxury combined.
“Is all of this free?” Kristin gestured towards the fruit station and the array of dishes available.
York chuckled. “Yeah, help yourself.”
It seemed that Kristin’s skills had indeed earned York’s respect. His demeanor
towards her had softened subconsciously.
Kristin sparkled her eyes at the neatly sliced fruit arranged in the chilled display with a smile spreading across her face. Recently, her spirits had lifted significantly. though she hardly noticed. “These fruits must cost a fortune.”
She took a modest portion, muttering to herself in a hushed tone.
York watched Kristin’s frugal behavior. “You should eat more. Look at how thin you are. This figure isn’t healthy. Men prefer a woman with curves. You’re all skin and bones, while others have assets to flaunt. How can you command presence like
that?”
At a loss for words, Kristin glanced down at her chest and swallowed choosing to
remain silent.
She was quite gifted in certain areas, which just weren’t that obvious….
“Here, take some more of this,” York insisted, piling more food onto her plate as if she wasn’t just a colleague but a close friend.
Kristin hurriedly accepted the offerings, stuttering, “I can’t… it’s too much…”
Her plate was nearly toppling over when a pair of hands reached from behind to steady it.
Kristin turned to see who had helped her and gasped, “Mr. FitzGerald…”
“Mr. FitzGerald, the doctor advised you to fast at lunch,” York interjected, puzzled as to why Rhett had come down.
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Rhett was stern as he contemplated when to transfer York. “I’ll just have some broth.”
York nodded. “Please, have a seat. I’ll get it for you!”
Rhett took the plate from Kristin, who stood awkwardly in place for a long while, grateful that the executive dining area was empty.
Otherwise, with Rhett helping her with her plate, she’d be the talk of the company by
tomorrow.
“How irresistible is the FitzGerald Group’s staff meal to you?” James walked in, taking hold of Kristin’s wrist with a resigned sigh.
Kristin snapped out of her daze, pulling her wrist free.
James stood beside Kristin, yet his eyes were focused on Rhett. “We want to go out for a meal, Mr. FitzGerald. I’d like to request leave on Kristin’s behalf,” he proposed.
It was clear that James was putting on a show for Rhett.
“My assistant doesn’t get time off,” Rhett responded coolly, his tone icy.
“Rhett!” James was losing patience.
Rhett, however, appeared as nonchalant as a noble straight out of a fairy tale.
Kristin dared not look at Rhett, whose presence was too dazzling.
“Mr. Bryce, why don’t you try our chef’s cuisine? We have anything you can get outside right here. Please feel free to order!” York rushed over to pacify James. “Mr. Bryce, please take a seat.”
He then pulled out a chair for James. “Kristin, aren’t you going to pour Mr. Bryce
some water?”
Kristin nodded swiftly and went to fetch a glass of water for James.
Left alone with James, Rhett spoke calmly. “What are you implying. Rhett? Are you competing with me?”
“There’s no implication. She’s under my employ now,” Rhett stated lightly.
James clenched his fists. “How long do you think she’ll last at the FitzGerald Group?”
“As long as I’m at the FitzGerald Group, she’s under my protection.”
The air crackled between them, both men’s aura sparking conflict.
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“We’ll see about that,” James retorted with a sarcastic laugh, not believing Rhett could protect Kristin.
He was convinced that once Kristin became a liability Rhett would have to let go of. Rhett wouldn’t dare to confront the entire FitzGerald Group, let alone the business for
her.
James was well aware that even if he didn’t make a move, the internal factions of the FitzGerald Group including the Haywood family, the Turner family, and even the FitzGerald family themselves would take action.
James just needed to sit back and watch Rhett lose.
“Mr. Bryce, your water,” Kristin offered the glass to James, asking softly. “What would you like to eat?”
James leaned back, his lips curving up. “Since Mr. FitzGerald is hosting, let him order for me.”
Rhett scowled but remained silent.
Kristin took a deep breath, stammering, “Mr. FitzGerald…”
“Tell the chef that Mr. Bryce likes to keep fit. He prefers light meals without oil or salt. Just boiled chicken breast, eggs, and some raw food juices.” Rhett said with a smirk. Kristin made a face, wondering how that could be appetizing.
After Kristin left, James spoke up. “Rhett, I never realized you could be so childish.”
“The feeling is mutual.” Rhett huffed.
James gritted his teeth. “Then let’s see who wins in the end. Kristin is mine, the mother of my son.”
“You’ve already lost.” Rhett countered, not disclosing to James that he and Kristin were now legally married with a certificate to prove it.
“This is just the beginning.” James said confidently, sure that Rhett wouldn’t last long.
At the Turner family.
Ruby lay in her bed, feigning frailty ever since she had faked a faint at the entrance of the FitzGerald Group. She had been playing the weakened damsel ever since.
“Ruby, how are you feeling, sweetheart?” Mamie asked with a mix of worry and fury
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etched on her face. “I’ve been so caught up nursing you back to health these past few days, I haven’t had a second to go after Kristin.”
The audacity of Kristinto messing with Ruby in broad daylight was just unbelievable,
“Mom, maybe Kristin didn’t mean to.” Ruby’s voice was weak, her body still recovering.
“Defending her now? She doesn’t deserve it!” Mamie’s anger was palpable.
“Madam, Ms. Haywood is here to see Ruby,” the nanny reported in a hushed tone from the doorway.
Ruby blinked in surprise. Hertha?
She and Hertha had never been particularly close. Hertha was a bit of a recluse, one for quiet and solitude. Their encounters at social gatherings had been limited to polite nods. What could her visit today mean?
“Show her in.” Mamie said with a smile, turning back to Ruby. “Darling, chat with your friend. Don’t you worry, I’ll see justice done for you today.”
After leaving Ruby’s bedroom, Mamie darkened her expression as she strode into the living room. “Clarence, Ruby has been bullied. Are you just sitting there doing. nothing? Well, what are you waiting for? Go bring Kristin back here!”
“Mom…” Clarence massaged his temples, clearly exasperated. “It wasn’t her fault this
time.”
“Have you started playing favorites with Kristin now?” Mamie shot back, her gaze sharp.
Clarence remained silent, his gaze lowered. “Rhett had York send me the security footage from the FitzGerald Group’s entrance that day from three angles, which is all crystal clear. They even made slow–motion edits, just to make sure I saw everything.” Clarence knew it was Rhett’s way of sending a message, a warning to keep his hands.
off Kristin.
“Besides, the FitzGerald Group has delayed the final payment for the project within the contract period, leaving our cash flow in a bind.” Clarence didn’t expect Rhett to go to such lengths for Kristin.
The FitzGerald Group had a marriage alliance with the Turner family, so their financial team always prioritized payments to the Turner family. But because of Clarence’s altercation with Kristin at the entrance, suddenly the project team reported a funding.
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etched on her face. “I’ve been so caught up nursing you back to health these past few days, I haven’t had a second to go after Kristin.”
The audacity of Kristinto messing with Ruby in broad daylight was just unbelievable.
“Mom, maybe Kristin didn’t mean to.” Ruby’s voice was weak, her body still recovering.
“Defending her now? She doesn’t deserve it!” Mamie’s anger was palpable.
“Madam, Ms. Haywood is here to see Ruby,” the nanny reported in a hushed tone from the doorway.
Ruby blinked in surprise. Hertha?
She and Hertha had never been particularly close. Hertha was a bit of a recluse, one for quiet and solitude. Their encounters at social gatherings had been limited to polite nods. What could her visit today mean?
“Show her in,” Mamie said with a smile, turning back to Ruby. “Darling, chat with your friend. Don’t you worry, I’ll see justice done for you today.”
After leaving Ruby’s bedroom, Mamie darkened her expression as she strode into the living room. “Clarence, Ruby has been bullied. Are you just sitting there doing nothing? Well, what are you waiting for? Go bring Kristin back here!”
“Mom…” Clarence massaged his temples, clearly exasperated. “It wasn’t her fault this
time.”
“Have you started playing favorites with Kristin now?” Mamie shot back, her gaze
sharp.
Clarence remained silent, his gaze lowered. “Rhett had York send me the security footage from the FitzGerald Group’s entrance that day from three angles, which is all crystal clear. They even made slow–motion edits, just to make sure I saw everything.” Clarence knew it was Rhett’s way of sending a message, a warning to keep his hands
off Kristin.
“Besides, the FitzGerald Group has delayed the final payment for the project within the contract period, leaving our cash flow in a bind.” Clarence didn’t expect Rhett to go to such lengths for Kristin.
The FitzGerald Group had a marriage alliance with the Turner family, so their financial team always prioritized payments to the Turner family. But because of Clarence’s altercation with Kristin at the entrance, suddenly the project team reported a funding.
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issue. They would only pay according to the final contract deadline.
The Turner family had grown accustomed to receiving early payments from the FitzGerald Group. This delay meant a bottleneck in cash flow and a subsequent delay in project timelines, which could have a domino effect, Impacting the Turner family’s reputation. It was like a butterfly effect.
Rhett was indeed a formidable man. With a mere flick of his finger, he could make enterprises reliant on the FitzGerald Group crumble instantly.
Fortunately, the Turner family had a solid foundation, and Rhett hadn’t taken extreme measures against them yet.
