Chapter 207
At Rhett’s place.
Kristin was bustling about the kitchen, preparing a hearty breakfast of pancakes and bacon when Rhett, who had just dropped off Summer at school, leaned against the dining table, sipping on a glass of water.
Melissa was truly formidable. The kindergarten had already gone through a change of principals and was still undergoing reforms. Rumors had it that the former principal and a handful of teachers were caught in a corruption scandal.
Rhett’s phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen to find a message from Lisa, the head of
- HR.
“Mr. FitzGerald…” Lisa sounded anxious, clearly sneaking him inside information. “Kristin’s mother is causing a scene at the company. The CEO and board members are all present, and she’s put Kristin in the line of fire. Now, the board and CEO are suggesting we
terminate Kristin’s contract…”
“Kristin is my personal assistant, and her employment is my responsibility. Not even the CEO has the authority to fire my staff,” Rhett said firmly.
“But… Kristin’s mother is making a huge fuss. What should we do?” The situation couldn’t
continue like this.
Rhett’s face darkened, and after a moment of silence, he made a decision.
Was this woman named Madge inherently heartless?
Kristin was her daughter, after all. Was Madge trying to ruin her?
“Leave this to me.” Rhett hung up and stepped onto the balcony, dialing Garner’s number. “I’ll be at the company in forty minutes. Your mother is already there causing trouble. Can you handle her? Don’t let Kristin know for now.”
Even through the phone, Rhett could feel Garner’s anger.
“She took Holcomb’s money, and now she’s making a scene at the company entrance?” Garner’s voice trembled with rage.
“Kristin, is she really your biological mother?” Rhett was dubious.
“I’ve had my doubts, but I know my mother had a daughter–that’s for sure. Maybe she
didn’t raise her… I’m sorry for the trouble. I’ll take care of it,” Garner said before hanging up in a hurry.
At the Lawrence family.
Melissa was sipping on her coffee with a face mask on when she noticed Garner’s
distracted demeanor. She peeled off the mask and asked, “What’s wrong?”
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11:32
Garner apologized. “Boss, there’s a family emergency I need to deal with… May I take the day off?”
Melissa lounged on the couch. “What kind of emergency?”
Garner hesitated to share the details. After all, airing dirty laundry wasn’t ideal.
“You’re not going to tell me? Fine, then no leave. Unless… you take me with you,” Melissa retorted.
“I’m in a bit of a rush…” Garner said anxiously, not wanting Melissa to witness his mother’s disgraceful behavior.
“No worries! I’ll drive!” Melissa exclaimed joyously, not giving Garner any chance to chject as she started getting dressed, donning a mask and sunglasses, grabbing her car keys, ready to leave.
She moved swiftly.
Despite just having finished her skincare routine, she didn’t bother to wash her face and, still wearing her mask and sunhat, got into the car. “You’re in a hurry, right? Let’s go!”
Garner hesitated but eventually gave in with a sigh. “Get out, I’ll drive.”
Melissa scoffed, thinking Garner disapproved of her driving. “I’m a pretty good driver, you know.”
“You are, but I don’t want to die young,” Garner said helplessly.
Melissa raised an eyebrow and deliberately stepped on Garner’s foot as she got out, leaning in close to his lips…
Garner’s ears flushed, and he instinctively stepped back.
But Melissa, off–balance from standing on his foot, fell right into his arms.
Garner had no choice but to catch her.
Melissa giggled like a fairy. “You made the move. You’ve got to take responsibility.”
Garner didn’t know what to do with Melissa. This car ride to the FitzGerald Group would give her a glimpse into his family, into what kind of mother he had.
1
Maybe by seeing his mother’s true colors, Melissa would keep her distance from him.
“What’s going on?” Melissa asked on the way.
off my
“My mother… got out of jail. She took money from Holcomb and tried to marry sister. Now she’s making a scene at the FitzGerald Group’s entrance,” Garner said, worn
out.
He didn’t know how to face his mother.
11:32
Melissa paused, looking at Garner. She had researched his family background before.
But she never expected… his mother to be such a person?
Well, it made sense. As a housekeeper for the Turner family, she had selfishly switched her own daughter with the Turner’s, truly the epitome of selfishness.
Back at Rhett’s home.
After breakfast, Kristin checked her phone and saw a video circulating among her colleagues from the FitzGerald Group. The chat was buzzing with the news of someone causing a commotion–it was Kristin’s mother.
Kristin’s hand went numb as she tapped on the video.
There was Madge, throwing a tantrum on the floor, with a few of the Collins family relatives, including Jeannie, in tow.
Jumping to her feet, Kristin ran out of the bathroom, facing Rhett who was already dressed to leave.
“Mr. FitzGerald…” Kristin’s voice choked up. “Where are you headed?”
“Just back to the office. You stay here and wait for me,” Rhett said, approaching Kristin and pointing to his tie. “Do you like the color I chose?”
“It’s nice…”
Ever since Kristin had moved into Rhett’s home, he was constantly seeking her advice.
From small things to big, Rhett always asked Kristin’s advice on all aspects of running the home. He was always keen to better himself and didn’t mind looking like he didn’t know
much.
Whether it was trivial or significant, Rhett never missed an opportunity to praise Kristin. “You’ve got a better taste than I do.”
Rhett knew that Kristin was incredibly sensitive and plagued with self–doubt – it wasn’t something that had developed overnight.
Nor would her personality change in the span of a day or two.
Day by day, Rhett was building up Kristin’s sense of security, and bit by bit, he was helping
her to rediscover her confidence.
In Kristin’s eyes, having someone as exceptional as Rhett compliment her daily was a balm to her fragile self–esteem.
Tears tinged the corners of her eyes as she looked down. “Mr. FitzGerald… did my mom make a scene at the office?”
Rhett must have known.
RIA
11:33
I’ll handle it. You stay out of it, Rhett advised, suggesting she keep her distance.
Kristin nodded, aware that her presence would only escalate the situation.
“Madge… after all, she is your mother. What do you want to do about it?” Rhett sought Kristin’s input. He wouldn’t go too far with Madge, given their familial ties.
Just send her away…” Kristin was at a loss. That was her mother, yet it felt as if she wished she had never come back.
“Wait for me at home. What would you like for dinner? I’ll have the butler pick up the ingredients and bring them over,” Rhett said, ruffling Kristin’s hair and planting a kiss on her forehead.
“Come back soon,” Kristin said with a nervous glance.
Other than asking him to return early, Kristin didn’t know what else to say.
“I’d love your homemade food. It’s even better than what the chef makes. I feel like you’ve spoiled me,” Rhett teased, giving Kristin’s hand a gentle squeeze before turning to leave.
Kristin’s heart raced a little faster.
At least Rhett acknowledged her cooking skills that meant she was valuable to him.
She reveled in the praise from Rhett, finding in his words a comforting sense of security.
