Chapter 193
Hanson frowned, his expression sour as a batch of turned milk.
Rhett, the best? “Hah…”
A scornful chuckle escaped Hanson’s lips before he spoke again. “Given Rhett’s current situation, the only asset to his name is SilverScreen Entertainment. If he loses his shares in the FitzGerald Group, he’ll be kicked to the curb, left with nothing but that entertainment company… It’s as good as being broke.”
Sure, Rhett’s entertainment empire was the talk of the town, but it wasn’t in the same league as the FitzGerald Group.
Once Rhett was ousted from the FitzGerald Group, and disowned by the FitzGerald family.* it meant falling from the lofty heights of CEO to a penniless entrepreneur.
For the FitzGerald Group, squashing SilverScreen Entertainment would be a walk in the park.
And once Holcomb made his final move, settling scores with Rhett, he’d surely be wary of his son climbing back to the top. Holcomb knew Rhett’s capabilities all too well; he’d definitely target Rhett’s personal ventures, ensuring he couldn’t make a comeback.
Kristin clenched her fists. “He’s Rhett. The FitzGerald Group is nothing without him. It’s all because of Rhett that they are where they are today. Without him, what are they?”
She had faith in Rhett, yet the thought of him facing these trials terrified her.
As the legitimate son, the heir apparent in Mr. FitzGerald’s will, all this should rightfully belong to Rhett. But if Holcomb was set on dirty tricks, he could snatch it all away.
At least… until Holcomb’s last breath, Rhett would remain under his thumb.
Kristin drew a deep breath, her grip tightening.
She needed to clear the path for Rhett, and soon. For now, Holcomb was merely warning
him.
So he called it ‘suspension‘ and ‘rest.‘
If Rhett couldn’t play nice, the next step for Holcomb would be to strip him of his shares, to take everything that belonged to Rhett.
“You’re pretty confident about Rhett, pity… he’s all alone now. I’m just waiting to see him fall,” Hanson leaned back in his chair, his tone detached.
“What are you planning?” Kristin asked, her breath tight.
These rich folks always seemed to look down on everyone from their ivory towers, as if money, power, and status gave them the right to trample over others‘ dignity.
10:51
Right, what was dignity worth in the face of money?
“For now, Rhett hasn’t hit rock bottom, so threatening you is pointless, Hanson tapped on the table. “Since Liam likes you so much, I hope you’d think about looking after him for a bit. Once the wedding’s over, I’ll be putting down roots in Silvergrove City. I reckon you’d come over and help out with Liam,”
“That’s out of the question. I’m Mr. FitzGerald’s personal assistant, and I have my own son to think about,” Kristin refused flatly.
“Do you really think Rhett will return to the company?” Hanson smiled. “You’re naive about the unwritten rules of the business world. Did you see the news the Haywood family
leaked to the media today?”
Kristin nervously pulled out her phone. She hadn’t checked the news all day.
The trending topics were ablaze with photos of Holcomb meeting Adrienne’s parents, with headlines about the impending union of their families,
Clearly, Holcomb intended to force Rhett into submission, to marry Hertha.
If Rhett refused to marry Hertha… Well, the consequences were obvious…
With a panicked breath, Kristin felt suffocated on Rhett’s behalf.
This ‘vacation‘ might just be their last hurrah.
Afterward, either Rhett would cave, ending this brief and absurd marriage to marry Hertha, or he’d fight to the bitter end, breaking with Holcomb and the FitzGerald Group to carve his own path.
But if he chose the latter, it meant facing unprecedented challenges and storms–possibly even jeopardizing his own business ventures.
After another deep breath, Kristin slowly put down her phone, bowed her head, and spoke, “What exactly are you suggesting, Mr. Lewis?”
“Considering Rhett’s predicament, I’m giving you time to think it over. Liam’s fondness for you is your good fortune. Come work for me, and I’ll match whatever Rhett can offer you,” Hanson slid his business card across to Kristin.
“Compared to the Haywood family, I believe the Lewis family would be a far more appealing choice for Holcomb. After all, we businessmen prioritize profits, and the Lewis family can offer Holcomb higher stakes and value,” Hanson said. He could help Rhett, but only if Rhett chose not to marry Hertha and instead chose Ms. Lewis.
“Do you want Rhett to marry your sister Patty?” Kristin looked straight at Hanson.
Hanson, going to great lengths for a sister with no blood relation, was truly breaking his back over it.
Khett has a choice, alther he marries the true herage of the Lewis family, or he marries Patty I’ve been more than generous Hanson sald, feigning magnanimity
It seemed like two options, but everyone knew the real Lewis heiress was long gone. Is the real heiress of the Lewis clan… wasn’t she missing?” Kristin whispered. “For a year’s term, if my sister is found and she’s not married with kids, Rhett will marry her, and our Lewis family will unite with the FitzGerald Group through marriage. If Holcomb wants a piece of Rhett’s shares, they’ll have to think twice, Hanson spoke again.
“If my real sister is found within a year and she’s already married, or if we can’t find her after a year, Rhett will have to marry Patty,”
In truth, Hanson wanted Rhett to marry Patty all along. His sister was just a pretext.
“You’re such a loving brother,” Kristin said with a sarcastic laugh,
She reached for a business card on the table and glanced down at Liam, who was nestled In her arms, fast asleep. “You folks better take good care of Liam,” she said, “Kids need to be coddled.”
“I’ll give you time to think it over.” Hanson carefully took Liam from her arms, waiting for Kristin to come to him.
It wouldn’t be long now. Whether Rhett caved in and agreed to marry Hertha, or fought Holcomb to the bitter end, Kristin would come to him.
Because Hertha wouldn’t tolerate Kristin.
And Rhett, if he lost everything, wouldn’t be able to protect Kristin.
Kristin needed a new rock to lean on, and the Lewis family was definitely a better bet than
James.
“Mr. Lewis, aren’t you being too kind to her?” Kristin had just left when the assistant approached, handing Hanson the investigation files and asking,
Hanson didn’t know why, but he was intrigued by Kristin, instructing a thorough investigation into her life.
“Rhett is no ordinary man. The way he’s set on Kristin, guarding and favoring her, it’s not just about her looks or body Hanson said coolly, scrutinizing Kristin’s resume and history,
As he read on, Hanson’s expression darkened ominously.
Despite his dislike for Kristin, he felt a sense of regret and pity.
A woman, fallen from grace into the mire, once the top scholar of Silvergrove City’s exams, it was a pity Indeed.
Chapter 193
Kristin of the past, with her astounding achievements, shining in every aspect.
With her potential, she should’ve been on top of the world, but life’s hurdles and a five–year stint in the slammer for extortion reduced her to this.
What a shame.
