Chapter 156
At the FitzGerald Group.
The air was charged with the tension one could slice with a knife.
“Good morning, Mr. Neal,” Kristin feigned a chance encounter, her voice as smooth as silk. “I’m Mr. FitzGerald’s assistant. It seems we’ll be seeing quite a bit of each other. If there’s anything you need, just say the word.”
Kristin was Rhett’s right hand, and her solicitude was a clear reflection of Rhett’s attitude.
Neal sauntered into the elevator, the picture of confidence. “So you’re Kristin? Do your best by Mr. FitzGerald’s side.”
“Of course.” Kristin nodded vigorously, eagerly pressing the elevator button for him.
“Word has it the company’s looking for a new vice president. What’s the word of Mr. FitzGerald?” Neal’s question hung heavy with unspoken meaning, betraying his uncertainty.
*You mean you haven’t heard? Kristin replied, feigning surprise. “Mr. FitzGerald holds you in high regard, Mr. Neal.”
Neal looked Kristin up and down, a smug smile playing on his lips. “Smart cookie, aren’t you?”
“You flatter me.” Kristin bowed slightly, her attentiveness extending to holding the elevator doors open until he exited.
“Kristin, Mr. FitzGerald wants us to make an appearance at today’s gathering after work,” York approached as Kristin stepped out of the elevator. “He’s planning to give a shout–out to Mr. Neal from the Investment Division…”
“Shh!” Kristin hissed, pulling York aside discreetly.
Neal glanced back, catching York’s mention of his name. He followed quietly, hiding around the corner, eavesdropping on their conversation.
“I heard Mr. FitzGerald telling the Investment Division that he’s impressed with Neal’s skills. He even mentioned that the Investment Division couldn’t do without Neal. With Neal’s popularity soaring, we’ve got to find a way to keep him on board. If a headhunter snatches him away, it would be a huge blow,” York whispered to Kristin.
“I bet he’s the next vice president. But honestly, our company’s perks for vice president aren’t that grand. As for the vice presidents of the Project Division, their deal isn’t as sweet as what the Investment Division offers. If I were Neal, I’d negotiate hard. He should push to merge the Investment Division and Project Division under his control. I wouldn’t slip such a juicy opportunity.”
Neal listened intently from his hiding spot, his thoughts as deep as the ocean. Kristin was right. As the Project Director of the Investment Division, he had access to a wealth of opportunities that a mere company vice president could only dream of.
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Sure, the vice president held more prestige and the promise of company shares in the long run, but the Investment Division was far more lucrative. If he could manage to merge the
Investment Division and Project Division, it would be a coup.
Yet, his ambition was transparent and he wasn’t sure of his influence over Rhett.
All he needed was for Rhett to fear him enough to negotiate terms. If Rhett failed to meet his demands, resignation could be a powerful threat.
Around the corner, Kristin peeked out, ensuring Neal was gone, then turned to York with a conspiratorial grin and the universal ‘ok‘ sign.
“You’ve got some acting chops,” York complimented with a chuckle.
Kristin bashfully waved him off. “Oh, it was nothing.”
“Neal’s already forming alliances. If he solidifies his internal network, that’s bad news for us,” York said warily.
Kristin shook her head. “No, it’s better for us. We just wait for him to slip up. A faction without unity crumbles when the incentives dry up. Once his support falls apart, he’s as good as a sitting duck.”
York grew his respect for Kristin. “Impressive…”
A few steps later, York stopped and looked back. “With your skills, you don’t have to take any guff, right?”
Kristin paused, her voice low. “Yeah.”
York sighed. “Just stick with Mr. FitzGerald. He may be a tough nut to crack, but once he’s in your corner, you’ve got a rock–solid ally.”
Kristin remained silent, pondering his words.
In the employee cafeteria.
Rhett was tied up with the board members. Seizing the opportunity, York ushered Kristin to grab some lunch.
“Load up your plate,” York insisted, handing Kristin a beautifully carved apple.
Her plate was already heaped with food, causing her to gasp in surprise. “York, I can’t eat all this.”
“You have to. Keeping up with Mr. FitzGerald takes stamina.” York whispered, glancing around before griping about Rhett. “Let me tell you, Mr. FitzGerald loves to squeeze every drop out of his employees. You skipped breakfast, so eat up, which won’t go straight to your hips.”
Kristin choked on a cough at his words, her eyes darting to the looming figure of Rhett approaching with darkness.
“Drink some water,” York offered, standing to fetch her a glass, only to freeze as he turned to
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see Rhett standing right behind him, his face clouded with disapproval.
“Mr. FitzGerald.” York stammered, nearly collapsing onto the table. “I didn’t expect you here: Don’t you usually skip the cafeteria?”
Rhett merely gestured to a chair, indicating for York to wipe it down.
Kristin, quick to assist, rose to attend to Rhett but was met with his icy gaze, a daze that reminded everyone why he was the boss.
“Let him wipe it down,” Rhett said, gripping Kristin’s wrist.
York glanced at Rhett, shock sending him crashing into the corner of the table, wincing as he sucked in a sharp breath. “Mr. FitzGerald, she’s an assistant too, why can’t she clean it up?”
“Off the clock,” Rhett said, nodding toward his watch,
York bristled with dissatisfaction. “Well, I’m off the clock too.”
“You can be off the clock permanently,” Rhett retorted, clearly finding York’s chatter excessive.
York quickly whipped out a disinfectant wipe and cleaned off the stool. “Please, have a seat.”
Rhett grunted, settling into the chair and turning to Kristin with a sudden softness in his voice. “Make sure you get something to eat.”
York took a couple of steps with his water glass, then spun around in shock at Rhett, crashing into a pillar with a loud thump,
This was
bizarre.
Something was off with Mr. FitzGerald.
“Mr. FitzGerald, York and I have everything sorted out,” Kristin whispered.
Rhett cracked a smile. “Enjoy your meal.”
“Mr. FitzGerald, would you like…” Kristin offered Rhett the apple York had given her.
Rhett took it without a hint of disdain. “The apple looks pretty sweet.”
“Yeah, York picked it out,” Kristin nodded in agreement.
Rhett’s face darkened momentarily. “Looks can be deceiving!”
With that, he slapped the apple down in front of York.
The message was clear as day.
Rhett was lashing out because he had tasked York with getting Nicola’s assistant to spill the beans at Harborside Haven.
York had failed miserably, forcing Rhett to personally track down the assistant’s mother back in her hometown to pry out the information.
