Chapter 222
Outside, York was frantically pressing the doorbell and calling on his phone
However, Rhett was having none of it, playing deal on purpose
“Mr. Holcomb, please calm down. I’m right outside knocking on the door. Mr. Rholt seems not to be home, I will get ahold of him, just stay calm,” York pleaded into his phone, barely restraining himself from cursing out Holcomb for being such a stubborn old mile
Holcomb was clearly playing hardball, threatening Rhett with his shares and the CEO position. He gave Rhett an ultimatum, show up in the boardron within half an hour or face a board led ousting from his role,
*Mr. Rhett, where are you? York hung up the call, nearly in tears.
This was not the right time for any of this, especially with Rhett suddenly announcing his relationship on Twitter.
Unable to reach Rhett, York had no choice but to call Kristin.
Meanwhile, Kristin was feeling anxious, about to answer the phone when it rang.
“So noisy,” Rhett playfully trapped Kristin, preventing her from picking up the call.
Kristin was at a loss with Rhett. “Mr. Fitzgerald, It’s York. What if it’s something urgent?”
“What urgent matter could he possibly have that’s more important than me?” Rhett pulled Kristin closer, entangling her in his embrace like an octopus. “Let’s get some sleep.”
“Mr. Fitzgerald…” Kristin’s voice was hoarse.
“From tomorrow on, stop calling me Mr. Fitzgerald,” Rhett joked.
He had surely angered Holcomb today, and Holcomb was likely to strip him of his CEO title for sure.
“Mr. Fitzgerald…” Kristin looked at Rhett in alarm, “We should go to the office now, just to buy some time, okay?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Rhett said with firm resolve.
Kristin felt a pang of empathy for him.
Just how disappointed must he be with Holcomb to choose such a defiant path?
She didn’t ask further questions. Her heart was in turmoil, not knowing whether Rhett had a plan or an exit strategy.
“Ding.” Kristin’s phone vibrated with a text message.
She took a deep breath after reading it. It was a termination notice from the company.
Clearly, Holcomb was using the HR department to fire her as a warning to Rhett
“They sent a termination notice,” Kristin whispered.
Rhett slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deepening.
“Mr. Fitzgerald, maybe you should call York and head back to the office,” Kristin sighed, feeling uneasy.
Getting out of bed, Kristin prepared a fresh suit and tie for Rhett.
“Firing an employee without cause will have repercussions. I’ll file for labor arbitration, sue them,” Rhett leaned back on the headboard with a smirk, as if he had no ties left to the Fitzgerald Group.
“I will file for arbitration. So, Mr. Fitzgerald, can you go to the office now? Kristin sighed. She could not imagine Rhett needed pushing to go to his own company. “It would be such a waste to give in now.”
Kristin knew Rhett must have been enduring in silence for many years, ever since his mother passed away.
How could he give up over something as trivial as this?
Especially, he shouldn’t let her be the reason to give up what rightfully belonged to him.
“What should you call me?” Rhett teased.
Kristin paused as she picked up the suit, “Rhett.”
“I don’t want to hear that.” Rhett played with the ring on his finger, a subtle reminder to Kristin.
Her face flushed, but she refused to say it.
*Then I won’t go. I’m not motivated.” Rhett spun the ring on his finger, speaking with feigned melancholy, “To wear a ring and not have a wife, how pitiful.”
Kristin’s heart raced. With everything going on, how could he be so utterly calm?
If he got kicked out of the company, what would he do?
1/2
10.34
Hopey Anat murmured, the word almost inaudible.
Shetty fingers stiffened, and he sat up straight. “Didn’t catch that?
Outside, York’s frantic shouts could be heard
To the uninitiated, it might sound like a pig was being slaughtered.
Mr Fitzgerald, come out.”
Austin fought back a laugh, feeling both amused and sorry for York. She had to coax Rhett first, “Honey…”
Does the le scorch your tongue?” Rhett raised an eyebrow, pulling Kristin into his embrace, “Didn’t quite catch that.”
“Honey Kustin braved herself to speak louder.
Yet, as she said it, it didn’t feel as awkward as she had imagined. In fact, it was a little thrilling.
Rhett tightened his embrace, kissing Kristin’s forehead, “Marriage is supposed to be sacred, but those scoundrels have made a mockery of it
His eyes darkened as he stood up and slipped into the suit, adjusting his cuffs.
To ease Kristin’s worries, he decided to confront the Haywood family and their cronies.
“Don’t be rash” Kristin warned. “Just hold off Holcomb for now. It doesn’t matter if you step down as CEO for the time being, you could
claim illness”
Rhett looked at her, a smile playing on his lips, “You underestimate how ruthless Holcomb can be.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Kristin clenched her fists, “I have a plan.”
Rhett raised an eyebrow, curious about Kristin’s plan.
“Just go, and you’ll see,” Kristin urged Rhett to the office.
Rhett laughed softly, then kissed her on the lips, “Alright.”
Rhett had just left for work, and Kristin lingered at the front door, lost in thought. It took all her courage to dial the number that could change their fate.
Mr. Lewis…” her voice trailed off into the silence.
At the Lewis Group’s Silvergrove City branch office, in the heart of a high–stakes meeting, Hanson glanced at his buzzing phone. With a gesture that commanded attention, he paused the proceedings and stepped aside to take the call. The staff exchanged puzzled looks, and Mr. Lewis never took calls during meetings.
*So, you’ve finally decided to ring me up,” Hanson chuckled into the phone, “What’s the matter? Has Rhett hit rock bottom?”
“Mr. Holcomb has called a board meeting.” Kristin whispered, barely audible.
And you want my help for Rhett?” Hanson probed.
“It’s a partnership of mutual benefit,” Kristin reminded him firmly, stressing that this wasn’t a one-sided favor. She didn’t want him to play
the hero.
Hanson raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her proposal.
“Sure, the Lewis family is influential, but let’s face it, your roots are elsewhere. You’ve been trying to break into the Silvergrove City market for years, to solidify your standing. Isn’t that right?” Kristin challenged him.
Hanson let out a soft laugh but remained silent.
“Marriage alliances can be mutually beneficial,” Kristin ventured again.
“Rhett is willing to marry Patty?” Hanson asked, hinting at a potential match
Kristin was right, and Hanson had his own agenda. He wouldn’t help Rhett just for Kristin’s sake. The Lewis family had long sought a firm foothold in Silvergrove City, and Rhett seemed like the perfect pawn.
“It’s not Patty,” Kristin said, her hands clenched, “It’s the true heiress of the Lewis family.”
She took a deep breath, steadying herself.
Hanson laughed, “Kristin, you’re quite the strategist, using the one–year promise I made to you. So you want me to buy Rhett some time.* “Do you think Rhett can completely take over the FitzGerald Group in one year?” Hanson asked, probing her confidence in Rhett’s abilities
“One year is enough” Kristin said firmly, biting her lip. “He’s not alone.”
She would stand by him.
