Chapter 145
Garner was utterly flabbergasted.
His frail boss, who could nearly faint from sunbathing due to low blood sugar, surprisingly delivered a roundhouse kick any martial arts master would be proud of.
Adrienne was pinned against the wall, her head having smacked into it with a thud that left her seeing stars.
It took her a moment to gather her wits, her eyes wide with shock as she locked gazes with Melissa.
How dare Melissa kick her?
“You… you kicked me?” Adrienne asked in disbelief.
“How did my kid get those bruises on his face?” Melissa grabbed a fistful of Adrienne’s hair, glaring menacingly at the dumbstruck bodyguards. “Get out of here, all of you! This is a hospital!”
The bodyguards exchanged glances, still reeling from the surprise when Melissa’s entourage. cleared the area.
Adrienne’s protectors were mostly security guards, there for show rather than skill. Melissa’s ex–husband was a big shot in the underworld and her guards were practically mercenaries.
Kristin stood trembling, unsure of the unfolding situation.
Rhett covered Kristin’s mouth before she could speak, signaling her to stay silent. Someone was already giving Adrienne a lesson, so there was no need to interrupt.
Truth be told, Rhett had planned on giving Adrienne a lesson of his own that evening. However, his methods were more commercial in nature. En route, he had already warned the Haywood family to end all business ties, extending beyond mere contracts to any industry they had their fingers in.
And now, as Adrienne’s father bombarded Rhett with calls he ignored, the Haywood family must
be scrambling to the scene.
But this trick was outshone by Melissa’s physical approach.
“You crazy bitch.” Adrienne wailed in pain, as Melissa dragged her by the hair towards a hospital bed.
With a resounding crash, Melissa slammed Adrienne’s head against the metal frame.
Summer shivered, his wide eyes fixed on Melissa, thinking how cool she looked.
“Boy, did Adrienne do this to you?” Melissa asked.
Summer nodded, then shook his head. “The glass broke, and I got cut by the shards.”
Chapter 145
Summer was an honest child.
“Who the hell are you? Garner, get this psycho off me…” Adrienne was in tears, unaccustomed to such rough treatment. She’d always been the bully, never the bullied.
Garner stepped forward, mouth agape, only to be silenced by a sharp look from Melissa.
“You want to defend her?” Melissa squinted threateningly at Garner.
He frowned. “She’s a member of the Haywood family. I don’t want you in trouble.”
“The Haywood family? I have no idea.” Melissa turned to Connor. “What’s their deal?”
“They’re climbing the social ladder through marriage. James, the Bryce family of Crescendo Town, is her fiancé,” Connor replied casually as he stitched Summer’s wound. “Oh, her sister is Hertha who has been trending lately for her engagement to Rhett.”
“James and Rhett?” Melissa raised her voice. “I can get over James, but Rhett? I’ve only been abroad for a few years. Is he blind?”
Kristin peered over her shoulder at the “blind” Mr. FitzGerald.
She envied this fierce woman.
“Ahem!” Rhett cleared his throat, a picture of indifference. “I’m not blind yet…”
Melissa turned to see Rhett at the door, behind a shivering Kristin.
She recognized Kristin from photos cherished by Summer, where he called her mom a fairy.
“Rhett, save me!” Adrienne, her nose bruised and bleeding, her forehead swollen, cried out for Rhett’s help.
Rhett was impassive, as if he didn’t know the woman before him.
“Kris.” Garner rushed to Kristin protectively. “Didn’t I tell you to stay away?”
“I…” Kristin shook her head. “It’s my mess. I need to deal with it.”
She approached the bed, her eyes full of concern for Summer.
Summer, too scared to move, burst into tears at the sight of Kristin, covering his wound. “Don’t look, mommy. I’m okay.”
Connor finished bandaging Summer’s cut, frowning. “Take care of him.”
“Thank you, Dr. Lawrence,” Kristin said gratefully, hugging Summer close. “I’m sorry, I’m late.”
Summer’s teary eyes fell on Rhett and he hesitated to call out ‘Dad‘.
Rhett, pained by the sight of his pale and tear–streaked child, stepped forward to take Summer in his arms. “Does it hurt?” he asked gently.
Summer clung to Rhett, resting his head on Rhett’s shoulder. “It doesn’t hurt.”
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Chapter 145
Rhett darkened his eyes as he turned to Adrienne. “Do you have a death wish?”
Melissa had thought Rhett was there to rescue Adrienne, but now, it seemed the tables had turned. Things were about to get interesting.
Melissa yanked on Adrienne’s hair, her patience snapping like the glass she shattered on the floor. Picking up a sharp shard, she pressed it against Adrienne’s cheek. “How about I leave you with a little mark on your pretty face? Maybe that’ll help you remember your lesson.”
“Help! This chick’s gone nuts! Let go of me!” Adrienne was terrified, struggling against Melissa’s iron grip, but it was no use. In a fit of desperation, Adrienne cried out for Kristin. “Kristin! Who is this psycho and why won’t you call her off? I swear, if you don’t, I’ll make you pay!”
Kristin stood rooted to the spot, her knuckles white as she clenched her hands, and her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Years ago, Adrienne and her cronies had cornered Kristin in an alley, ignoring her tears and pleas for mercy.
Melissa’s intimidation was child’s play in comparison.
“Kristin! Oh, do you think you’re all that now, huh? Get yourself a pitbull for protection! Just your wait…” Adrienne dissolved her threats into sobs, her bravado only targeting the perceived
weak.
Melissa smirked at the outburst. “Still got the energy to yell, I see.” She let the glass graze Adrienne’s forehead, eerily mirroring the injury that Summer had suffered.
Adrienne’s cries turned into hysterical screams. “Kristin, you’re going to regret this…”
Kristin ducked behind Rhett and her silence spoke volumes. Oddly enough, she felt a twinge of satisfaction seeing Adrienne so humbled… yet the urge to cry lingered.
Satisfied with the mark she’d left on Adrienne, Melissa nodded approvingly. “Connor, tend to her wound. I’ll cover the costs.” Dismissively, she shoved the whimpering girl away and turned her scrutiny back to Kristin. “So are you Summer’s mom?”
Kristin nodded nervously. “Yes.”
“Rhett, what’s the deal with you two?” Melissa asked with a knowing smile.
She had known Rhett since kindergarten and could tell that whatever was between him and Kristin was far from ordinary.
Women’s intuition never failed.
Rhett was notoriously detached, capable of staring down death with a stoic gaze. And yet, here he was, protectively circling Kristin, even going so far as to hold Summer.
His germaphobia was legendary.
“A blind connection,” Rhett quipped darkly.
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Chapter 145
Melissa chuckled, her curiosity about Kristin peaking. Melissa had once wondered what sort of woman could capture a man like Rhett. Life was full of surprises.
“Rhett, never thought I’d see the day,” Melissa mused, perching herself on the edge of the hospital bed.
Rhett raised an eyebrow, reminding her. “Adrienne is engaged to James and they’re gearing up for an official engagement party. You’ve messed up her pretty face. Watch out for James coming after you.”
Melissa laughed it off. “James? He should probably get his eyes checked first.”
“Rhett.” The Haywood family had arrived outside the door.
Here came Adrienne’s parents, along with Hertha and Holcomb.
“Mom! Dad! Holcomb!” Adrienne cried out, crawling pathetically towards them..
Rhett narrowed his eyes. The Haywood family weren’t fools, bringing in Holcomb to try and leverage him.
With a stern face, Holcomb caught Rhett’s eye. “Rhett, we need to talk. Outside.”
