Chapter 192
“Yo, buddy, how on earth did you find us?” Concerned that Kristin would be distressed by a child’s tears, Rhett got out of bed and opened the door.
The little guy didn’t even acknowledge Rhett, sliding past him and bursting into the room to leap into Kristin’s arms. “Mommy, I hacked into the hotel’s system.”
…What?” Kristin gasped, taken aback. “You just hacked into the hotel’s system like it’s nothing?”
“I distracted the lady at the front desk,” Liam said nonchalantly, clearly adept at such mischief.
“Little genius…” Kristin murmured, cuddling him. “Did you leave your family on your own? Do your dad and uncles know about this?”
Liam snorted. “Dad’s a meanie.”
Kristin glanced nervously at Rhett – it seemed the boy had run off on his own again.
Rhett wasn’t pleased; this little rascal was getting too attached to Kristin, wasn’t he?
“I’ll give his dad a call,” Rhett said, reaching for his phone to call Hanson.
“No, don’t!” Liam clung to Rhett, his eyes brimming with tears. “Someone left me at his doorstep, and he took me in, but I know he’s not my real dad.”
Rhett felt his head spinning, looking down at the little figure clinging to his leg.
That expression, that gesture, it was strikingly similar to when Summer first saw him at the FitzGerald estate, hugging his leg, begging him to protect Kristin.
“Are you sure you’ve only had one?” Rhett asked Kristin, his skepticism evident.
Kristin was flustered by the question.
She had been terrified when she found out she was pregnant, too scared to go out, let alone get a check–up.
That year, after the scandal of the real and fake heiress blew over, Kristin had returned to the Collins household, where Garner and his mother took care of her.
Kristin only remembered being frail, though her belly was unusually large, and yet Summer had been born a mere six pounds. But Kristin couldn’t believe in such coincidences. It wasn’t possible.
Garner had been at the hospital during the birth. Garner wouldn’t lie to her.
“Just Summer,” Kristin replied with certainty.
“Mommy, you are my mommy,” Liam insisted, his eyes reddening as he clung to Kristin. “I
Chapter 192
know you are.”
“He’s just clinging to you since you saved him,” Rhett tried to rationalize, then he said to Liam, “Running off like this will have everyone worried; even if you don’t like your dad, do you want your grandma to be worried?”
Liam considered this, sniffing hard. “Okay, but I want to stay with my mommy.”
Rhett didn’t care for the details; he wanted to whisk this little tagalong away. He didn’t need anyone disrupting his romantic getaway with Kristin.
After messaging Hanson, it wasn’t long before the entire Lewis clan arrived.
“Liam, why are you troubling others again?” Jason was apologetic. Then he apologized to Kristin, “Sorry, he’s just too fond of you.”
Kristin shook her head.
༄ ༴ ཚརྗ རྟ མྦཎྜ
“Kristin, it’s clear Liam really likes you,” Felix noted, as Liam hid behind Kristin. “You’re here for the wedding too; why don’t you let Liam stay with you until it’s over?”
“I disagree!” Rhett objected instantly.
What a joke! He was here on vacation!
“Mr. FitzGerald, show some heart,” Hanson chided him.
“Heart? He’s not my son. If I had that much heart, I might as well go do charity,” Rhett grumbled, sulking in a corner.
He disagreed. If it was Summer, maybe, but not some unknown little rascal.
“Kristin, Rhett is heartless, lacks compassion. I suggest you leave him; pick someone else,” Jason said, positioning himself like a peacock in front of Kristin. “Like me, for
instance.”
“Mr. FitzGerald isn’t like that,” Kristin defended, growing uncomfortable with the disparagement.
Jason’s face was unreadable. “Rhett, you’re not short on women. Let Kristin come to me; name your price.”
“I’ve heard the FitzGerald Group is in chaos, and your early departure is due to being ousted, right? How about you let Kristin go with me, and our Lewis family will ensure you retain control of the company? How does that sound?” Felix joined in the bargaining.
Rhett’s position was precarious, and they all knew it.
Kristin looked at Rhett anxiously, fearing he might actually trade her off.
“Man,” Rhett scoffed. “Have you been on something?”
Felix snorted in disdain, finding Rhett unbearable.
2/4
Hanson had been silent but eventually spoke up. “Everyone out. I need to talk to Liam and Kristin alone.
“Why should we?” Felix and Jason objected.
Rhett felt the Lewis family needed a reality check. “Hanson, if you’ve got a screw loose, go get checked out. Now, grab your little buddy and scram.”
Knowing Rhett was stubborn, Hanson turned to Kristin and whispered. You’re well aware of the FitzGerald Group’s situation as the CEO’s assistant. The Lewis family’s support could be crucial for Rhett, especially with the SandStone Project at stake.”
Kristin tightened her grip on Liam, considering Hanson’s words.
The SandStone Project was critical for Rhett at this juncture.
Vincent had employed hackers to sabotage the project plan – any mistake could be disastrous.
Kristin wanted to give Rhett peace of mind.
“Kristin,” Rhett chided, signaling that she could ignore whatever Hanson was spouting off.
“Mr. FitzGerald…” Kristin cast an anxious glance at Rhett. “Liam, it’s not working out like this. May I step out and discuss the matter of the child with Mr. Lewis, if you don’t mind?” Rhett’s brow furrowed. Yet, the pleading in Kristin’s eyes made it hard for him to refuse
her.
“Hanson, I’m warning you. Stick to the matter at hand concerning the kid and nothing else,” Rhett cautioned Hanson against stirring the pot.
“Even Mr. FitzGerald has his fears?” Hanson sneered. “Afraid that Kristin will find out about how you toyed with my sister’s heart, or is it the fear of her learning about your countless past conquests?”
“Hanson!” Rhett’s frown deepened, recognizing the classic tactic of sowing discord as nothing but a cheap trick.
“Mr. FitzGerald…” Kristin quickly stood up and embraced Rhett. “I’ll be right back after seeing Liam off.”
Kristin picked up Liam and followed Hanson out of the room.
Hanson led Kristin to the resort’s lounge area, silent all the way there.
It wasn’t until Kristin sat down with Liam in her arms that he finally spoke, his voice cold. “Somehow both my brothers and Liam like you a lot. You must be quite the charmer.”
Kristin knew Hanson was mocking her. Head bowed, she remained silent.
“I’m grateful you pulled Liam from the water, but don’t for a second think I trust you. After
3/4
11:01
Chapter 192
all, you’ve got a history,” Hanson was alluding to her past extortion.
Even though Kristin had risked her life to save Liam, Hanson still suspected she had ulterior motives.
“Why not lay it all out? You’re making Liam dependent on you, winning my brother’s affections, and after all your efforts to latch onto Rhett, now you’re using him ás a stepping stone to climb up to the Lewis family. Why don’t you just come out with your true intentions?”
Hanson was grateful for Liam’s rescue, and he was willing to fulfill Kristin’s desires if she was honest with him.
Kristin took a deep breath, facing the harsh truth… Once tainted by scandal, there’s nothing one can do to restore their image in the eyes of others.
“Mr. Lewis, if this is what you want to discuss, then there’s no point in continuing,” Kristin said, gently ruffling Liam’s hair. “Who gave you the confidence to assume the Lewis family ranks above Rhett? He’s the best and I have no need to use him as a stepping stone to cling to anyone else.”
