Chapter 214
“Look, 1 know Kristin is just your PA, but if Mr. FitzGerald is willing, I’m prepared to triple her salary to hire her,” Hanson said in a deep voice, his gaze lingering on Kristin. “Name your price.”
Rhett gave Hanson a once–over. “Shame Mr. Lewis didn’t take a stab at Hollywood, you could’ve been quite the drama king with your everywhere presence.”
Hanson took a deep breath, ignoring Rhett’s quip.
In Hanson’s view, anything he desired was merely a matter of time before it fell into his lap, even with a formidable competitor like Rhett.
“Mr. FitzGerald should worry about himself for a change. I’m not the only one swamped with work lately.” Hanson spoke nonchalantly, glancing at the clock. “I’ll have Liam’s stuff sent over. Liam only drinks fresh milk flown in from New Zealand and eats the finest organic produce. His fruits have to be imported from the South.”
Kristin couldn’t help but steal a glance at Rhett. Before she had come into his life, his butler was also particular about the ingredients.
Ever since she arrived, Rhett seemed to grow less fussy.
Rhett paid no mind to Hanson, though he suspected the man might be a bit under the weather.
“Liam has a weak heart, no emotional outbursts or strenuous activities,” Hanson continued.
“Enough, you sound like you’ve ever taken care of a kid yourself.” Rhett was tired of Hanson’s presence. “Just go, you’re quite the busy
man.”
With a huff, Hanson checked the time again. “Liam, call me if you need anything.”
Liam nodded.
Only then did Hanson leave, content.
Once Hanson had gone, Rhett kicked the door shut, cursing the bad vibes he brought into the evening. He half–joked about wanting to put up a sign at the neighborhood entrance: “Beware of Dogs and the Lewises Not Allowed.”
Kristin finally breathed a sigh of relief. The pressure Hanson brought was suffocating.
In the past, she used to get tense and sweat buckets when around Rhett.
But now… it seemed like she had grown to rely on him. Whenever Rhett was around, she felt she could let her guard down a bit.
“Mummy…” Liam hid behind Kristin, scared of Rhett.
Summer clung tightly to Rhett, worried Liam would vie for his daddy’s attention.
“Daddy’s mine,” Summer declared, staking his claim early.
“I’m not fighting with you for him,” Liam retorted with a haughty snort.
Rhett raised an eyebrow, smiling at Kristin. “Let the kids get acquainted while we go take a nap.”
Kristin was worried, concerned that Summer and Liam wouldn’t play well together.
“I want to sleep with Mummy,” Liam insisted, not letting go of Kristin.
Rhett was struck with panic, seeking rescue from his son.
Catching the distress signal, Summer stuck his tongue out at Liam. “Such a baby, still needing to cry yourself to sleep with an adult. I’ve been sleeping on my own since I was two or three.”
Liam pouted, hands on his hips. “That’s not true, I want to sleep with Mummy.”
3
“My Mummy doesn’t like kids who aren’t independent, that’s why I always sleep alone.” Summer hopped down from Rhett’s arms. “Come on, I’ll show you my room. Daddy designed it just for me.”
Summer reached out his hand to Liam.
Curiosity overcame him, and Liam followed Summer out of the room.
“My daddy’s room for me is way better.”
“That’s nothing, my daddy gave me all these teddy bears.”
“My daddy buys me limited editions, and I’ve got tons of toy cars.”
The children were already competing over who had the better dad.
Neither would back down.
#
Rhett sighed in relief, pulling Kristin into his embrace with a grin. “Now we won’t be disturbed.”
10:49
Chapter 214
The next moming, Madge, who had been detained at the police station without ball, returned home fuming with no one there to greet her. She tried calling Garner, but he wouldn’t pick up. Sitting alone on the couch, she couldn’t wait any longer for Garner and decided to confront Kristin.
As she stormed out the door, she was met by a black sedan waiting outside. The window rolled down to reveal Rhett inside.
“Where’s Kristin? Tell her to come and see me!” Madge shouted in fury. “I’m her mother!”
“Then prove it,” Rhett said coolly, motioning for Madge to get in the car. “Given your habit of lying, I need medical evidence of your relationship with Kristin. I’ll take you for a DNA test, and until the results are out, I won’t let you see her.”
Madge’s face twisted in anger. “You think you can just order me around? What are you to Kristin? You rich folks and your schemes–l won’t go!”
Rhett frowned and gestured for his bodyguard to step out of the car.
The bodyguard approached and grabbed Madge. “Please cooperate.”
Madge shrieked in terror, crying for help. “Help! Kidnapping! Someone help!”
Rhett’s brow furrowed deeper as Madge’s resistance to the DNA test grew. Was she fearing something?
“I’m simply taking you for a DNA test; there’s no need to resist like this,” Rhett stated firmly, stepping out of the car.
“Mr. FitzGerald, isn’t it a bit unseemly to bully an elder openly?” James approached from the end of the alley.
Rhett’s expression darkened. “James, you seem to have too much free time on your hands.”
“Same with you, Mr. FitzGerald ” James retorted, checking his watch. “Aren’t you here before heading to the office as well?”
Rhett scowled. “Are you trying to stop me?”
It seemed James knew exactly what he intended to do with Madge.
James chuckled, his smirk as sly as a fox that had just outwitted the hounds.
Seeing an ally in her corner, Madge scurried to James‘ side. “Exactly! It’s downright rude!”
ཋ ༈ Ø ༢ རྗ ཚ
James remained a study in cool danger, his eyes locked on Rhett.
Rhett didn’t have time to tangle with James. After all, Madge wasn’t going anywhere–she would stick to Kristin like glue.
He could deal with this another day.
“Sure, you’re the sole heir to Aurora Tech, but Carter Bryce won’t hand it over on a silver platter. Heard he’s shopping around for a merger of fortunes with the Lewis family, hoping for a match with Patty?” Rhett sidled up to James. “The real Lewis heiress is still missing, and Patty’s just the recognized adoptive darling of the clan.”
“Patty,” James mused, the name rolling off his tongue with loaded interest.
It was clear Carter had a plan.
“Best of luck with that,” Rhett said with a knowing grin and sauntered back to his car.
James kept his smile as he watched Rhett drive away.
“And you are?” Madge sized up James, noting his tailor–made outfit that screamed money. Anyone who spoke to Rhett on equal footing was definitely loaded.
“Hello, I’m James, daddy to Kristin’s little boy,” James introduced himself with a charming smile.
“You?” Madge did a double–take, then her claws came out. “You’re that cad? You look loaded, and you think you can just walk away from what you did to my daughter? Let me tell you, it’s going to cost you–not a measly million, but two!”
James‘ smile never wavered as he produced a check. “In here, there’s five million. Do one thing for me, and it’s all yours.”
