Chapter 217
“Miss Fiona, why did you choose to become the other woman, tearing apart someone else’s family?”
“Word on the street is that Adrienne’s been playing queen bee at school, pushing everyone around. What’s your take on that?”
Have you been influenced by Adrienne’s behavior?”
“What kind of trash are you spouting? Turn those damn cameras off!” Fiona’s voice was thick with anger as she glared at the reporters.
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If you know who I am, then do yourselves a favor and shut off the cameras. If you dare to air today’s drama, my uncle won’t let you off the hook”
Lesung against the doorway, Kristin watched Fiona’s theatrical display, her arrogance almost palpable.
proves? Harriet commented from beside her, a sneer in her voice.
“Do you realize what this idiot p
Dealing with someone like Fiona was almost too easy no need for clever schemes or brainpower.
“The tragedy of upbringing. Spoiled rotten at home, thinking her family can clean up any mess she makes. Treated like a princess within her own walls, she expects royal treatment out in the real world, like everyone else is beneath her,” Harriet said, shaking her head in mock pity.
Unfortunately for her, reality can be harsh. If parents don’t instill the right values, society tends to have its own brutal way of teaching life lessons.
“Why would you choose to be the other woman? Your cousin Adrienne bullies classmates, you’re the ‘other wornan‘… Does your whole family have a skewed moral compass?”
Someone in the crowd jeered
“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Do you know my cousin Hertha is about to get engaged to the big cheese of the FitzGerald Group? She’s gonna be Mrs. FitzGerald, Rhett’s wife. Mess with me and see if you can ever find work in showbiz again!” Fiona was obsessed with breaking into Rhett’s entertainment empire, but she lacked connections.
Now that the Haywoods and the FitzGeralds were joining forces through marriage, Fiona strutted around, wielding her newfound influence as everyone tried to get on her good side.
She reveled in the attention.
“So, Hertha, the soon–to–be fiancée of the FitzGerald Group’s heir, is also your cousin. I wonder if she’s ever played the bully or been the other woman‘ herself.”
The accusation was aimed straight at Hertha, and this was Kristin’s doing…
She didn’t want to stoop to this, but Hertha had crossed Rhett too many times. She was no saint herself.
“Bullying? What bullying? They should count themselves lucky to even be in my cousin’s presence. They got a fat check from my uncle for their troubles, and now, after pocketing the money, they’re dredging up stuff from a decade ago for more cash? Petty fools, trying to make a scandal out of nothing!”
“Fiona, by saying that, are you suggesting bullying is no big deal?”
“They were paid off, so what?” Fiona tried to leave, but the reporters had her cornered.
In a flash, Fiona’s statements sparked outrage online. Bullying is excused? Victims playing up for sympathy? Secondary victimization! These phrases dominated the online conversation.
The Haywood’s PR team scrambled to contain the fallout, but the story was wildfire.
At the Haywood residence.
“What the hell is this mess? Is Fiona brainless?” Hertha was not one to lose her cool easily, but the online furor was pushing her to the edge.
“The engagement party is this afternoon. What are we supposed to say to the press now? How do we spin this?”
Hertha was shaking with rage.
“Miss, madam, please calm down. You mustn’t get upset,” her assistant pleaded, trying to steady her.
“Get out of my way! Incompetents, idiots, just suppress this story now, and get Fiona on the phone! Tell her to keep her mouth shut!”
Hertha was practically out for blood.
Fumbling for her phone, her first instinct was to placate the FitzGerald family.
She called her father, urging him to smooth things over with Holcomb and promising to quash the scandal before the 3 PM engagement party.
Next, she tried to reach Rhett to explain that she hardly knew Fiona.
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10:50
But RNA
reddened her whole body trembling as she gripped her phone light.
This could not be happening
refused to lose Rhett had to be hers.
After years of waiting and sacrifices, she would have him, or she’d weeth. She had been nothing but accommodating
if she couldvil Ahen had better mengnize her
How much
e did she have to prove?
Mies, madam, we can’t suppress the news, the assistant reported back, panic in her voice. “It’s clear someone’s orchestrating this.”
Is it Rhett? Hertha stumbled out, her voice heavy with dread.
We’ve checked. It doesn’t seem to be Rhett. It caught him off guard too, since there’s been no move from SilverScreen Entertainment
ret
Hertha paused. If not Rhett, then who else would want to drive the Haywoods into the ground? “Besides Rhett, who else has the power?” “We can’t trace it… The assistant was frantic
At IF Shopping Mall.
The drama continued to unfold, with Fiona trapped in the VIP lounge of a luxury store, unable to leave until her bodyguards and the company’s team arrived to escort her out.
Kristin stepped into a corner to take a call. “Thank you for everything.”
“Aren’t we partners?” The man on the other end had a deep, resonant voice. “I’m surprised you finally made a move.”
Kristin remained silent.
“It seems you’ve made up your mind,” the man continued. “Don’t worry, the scandal won’t be suppressed, and it’ll only grow. Holcomb’s no fool. The engagement press conference this afternoon is bound to implode.”
Still, Kristin said nothing.
“Kristin, I’m no philanthropist. Consider this a freebie. I don’t need anything in return for now, but the next time you come asking for a favor, Пl expect payment.” The man was reminding Kristin that partnerships were two–way streets.
“Okay… Kristin agreed reluctantly.
“Great.” The man chuckled before ending the call.
After hanging up, Kristin wandered back into the store, her mind elsewhere.
*Get those reporters out of here!” The supervisor was barking at Harriet. “What, are you in cahoots with his wife or something?”
“We’re just acquaintances,” Harriet said nonchalantly, idly cleaning her ear.
“Oh, I get it now! How convenient that you were here to catch them in the act. Did you tip off his wife?” The supervisor was getting into it
with Harriet.
*If she’s brazen enough to be the other woman, she shouldn’t be scared of a little gossip,” Harriet shot back, unfazed.
“You’re fired!” the supervisor spat out angrily.
“On what grounds are you firing me? Got any proof?” Harriet rolled her eyes in defiance.
I’m the supervisor, I have every right to fire you. Besides, where’s your sales record? According to the policy, no sales means you can hit the road,” the supervisor jabbed a finger towards Harriet’s chest.
“How can you talk to people like that…” Kristin rushed over, stepping in front of Harriet. “The evaluation period isn’t even over yet.”
“Ha, it’s almost been a month. With no sales, what, you’re just freeloading? People like you, bottom of the barrel, probably couldn’t afford a single bag in a lifetime, right?” The supervisor sneered at Kristin. “You’ve been watching the drama unfold in our store for so long without buying a thing. What right do you have to speak up? If you’re so capable, buy a bag then, boost your friend’s sales figures.”
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