Chapter 181
At the Thyme Tavern, Rhett had made a reservation well in advance, ensuring he, Summer, and Kristin could dine without any disturbances.
Unbeknownst to Kristin, at that very moment, back at the FitzGerald Group’s lounge, two men were fighting over her.
Mr. FitzGerald, it’s all taken care of. Kenney got a good thrashing from Tam and ended up in the hospital. He won’t be causing trouble for a while,” York reported over the phone to Rhett.
Kristin eyed Rhett cautiously as he stepped aside to take the call, feeling uncertain.
“Mom, this place looks expensivę,” Summer whispered.
Kristin smiled at her son, saying gently, “If you study hard and grow strong, one day when you’ve made your own money, maybe you can invite… Mr. FitzGerald here for dinner, okay?”
Summer blinked. “He’s Dad…”
Kristin glanced around and whispered, “Summer, Mr. FitzGerald was just comforting you. You can’t take it seriously. He… will be someone else’s dad someday.”
Worried her son might be set up for disappointment, Kristin tried to console him gently.
Summer’s eyes reddened slightly, and he looked down, feeling a bit hurt. “I don’t want him to be someone else’s dad.”
“Summer… you can’t think like that. Mr. FitzGerald will get married eventually, and he’ll have his own kids, so…” Kristin’s fingers tensed. “I’m sorry, Summer. I will give you a complete home, okay?”
“You did nothing wrong, Mom.” Summer cupped Kristin’s cheeks and cooed softly.
“Auntie Kristin, where did Uncle Rhett go?” Milo, the little boy who seemed lost without a home, clung to Summer every day.
Unable to shake off the persistent little tag–along, Summer had no choice but to bring him along.
“He went to make a call,” Kristin said, ruffling Milo’s hair with a smile.
“Good evening, are you ready to order?” The waiter looked down at Kristin and Summer with a less–than–friendly attitude. After all, high–end establishments like this were known for their snobbery.
Kristin and Summer were dressed simply, but Milo’s outfit was clearly expensive. Even his little shoes were a
limited edition, costing a pretty penny.
“Just… just a moment,” Kristin nodded, her social anxiety showing through.
Summer counted his fingers. “I want to treat Dad to dinner. My uncle gave me some pocket money; I’ve been saving for a long time.”
Kristin was taken aback for a second, then smiled at her son.
“Hello, I have five hundred dollars, is that… is that okay?” Summer looked up at the waiter, pulling out a wad of cash from his little cross–body bag, with bills of tens, twenties, and even a fifty, the largest being a
hundred–dollar bill.
“Huh?” The waiter laughed mockingly. “Kid, that won’t even secure a reservation.”
“Mom, this place is too pricey. Should we go somewhere else?” Summer asked Kristin in a low voice.
Kristin nodded, thinking to wait for Rhett to return before suggesting they go to another restaurant.
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11:37
If you’re not going to order then, please leave Don’t waste our time: reservations here s water said impatiently, seeing Kristin hesitate to order,
This restaurant belongs to my sinole. You better apologize to Summer and this lady, or you’re definitely going to regret it,” Milo stated angrily, slamming the table and pouting in displeasure.
The walter acoffed at the child’s threat. “Little one, whose child are you? Do you know who owns this restaurant?
“Who?” Milo asked.
Our restaurant is a high–end dining establishment under the SilverScreen Entertainment. It’s not for just anyone. Bee that table over there? Do you know who’s dining? It’s the A–list actress Patty. Ever heard of her?” The
walter gestured to a corner table.
Kristin then noticed that there were only two tables occupied that evening.
“I’ve… heard of her.” She knew of Patty, the leading lady of SilverScreen Entertainment and a top–tier celebrity who was rumored to have had a fling with Rhett.
Kristin had heard about Patty even while she was in jail; the women there envied Patty, believing she was the most likely candidate to become Mrs. FitzGerald and marry into the elite.
“So, if you’re not ordering, why are you still sitting here?” The waiter urged Kristin to leave.
“Uncle!” Milo yelled, frustrated.
Just then, Rhett walked in, looking in good spirits.
Kenney had been hospitalized by Tam, and Tam had made it clear: if Kenney caused any more trouble at the FitzGerald Group, he’d get beaten every time.
Rhett was quite pleased with his cousin Tam as an enforcer.
“Uncle! The waiter is being mean to Summer and Aunt Kristin,” Milo shouted.
Rhett’s brow furrowed as he approached. “What’s going on?”
Upon seeing Rhett, the waiter panicked, covering his mouth in shock. “Mr. FitzGerald…”
Why was it Rhett who brought them? How could someone like Rhett, a top–tier billionaire, bring such plainly dressed women to dine here?
It never occurred to her that Rhett would be connected to them.
Her face turned pale with fear, and the waiter quickly tried to explain. “I’m so sorry, Mr. FitzGerald. This lady… I just thought…”
Kristin waved her off, stepping in to defuse the situation. “No, it’s not that. Summer wanted to treat you to dinner, but he only has five hundred dollars, so… he can’t afford this place.”
She spoke softly, not wanting to embarrass Rhett.
Rhett squatted in front of Summer, his face a mix of surprise and amusement. “Summer wants to treat Dad to dinner?”
The waiter’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head. Dad? Rhett had a son?
How could it be… And dressed so modestly? Could it be that his faded shirt was some sort of limited–edition new release?
“Yeah.” Summer clutched a wad of cash with glee. “Been saving up for ages.”
Rhett wrapped Summer in his arms, casting a shadowed glance at the waiter, but said nothing.
2/3
had a kind h
didrit
Rhart didn’t chastise the waiter then and there, but he’d definitely see to it the
on te management and staff training,
What would you like to treat Daddy to, Summer?” Rhett asked softly.
Summer hugged Rhett’s neck joyfully. “Daddy, do you like bbqs?”
Rhett parsed, shooting a helpless look at Kristin. bbqs?
Kristin took a deep breath. “It’s… you know, those bbq skewers they sell at street carts.”
A man of Rhett’s caliber probably hadn’t even heard of such a thing.
The waiter beside them shivered in fear, keeping his head down, daring not to make a sound.
Summer… how about we eat here today, and you can treat us another time, okay?” Kristin whispered to Summer, knowing Rhett wouldn’t likely go for street food.
“If Summer likes it, it’s got to be good. So today, let’s have Summer play host.” Rhett not only agreed but also gave Milo’s chubby cheek a pinch. “Milo, you’re in for a treat today.”
Milo was thrilled. “Summer’s treat, oh yeah!”
Kristin watched Rhett, Summer, and Milo, the trio interacting seamlessly, and it stirred something within her. She really wanted to capture this moment secretly, just to keep on her phone…
“Let’s go.” Rhett set Summer down and extended his hand to Kristin.
Kristin hesitated, looking at his hand. Public displays of affection weren’t her thing, but as if possessed, she started to reach out.
“Rhett!” A melodic, cheerful voice called out.
It was Patty. She was dining at a corner table and, spotting Rhett, called out in delight.
Kristin’s heart tightened, and she instinctively withdrew her hand, awkwardly hiding it behind her back. As expected, she just couldn’t hold her head high in Rhett’s world.
“Rhett, what brings you here?” Patty exclaimed, rushing over and affectionately latching onto Rhett’s arm.
