Chapter 226
Mr. FitzGerald.. Kristin got into the car, her voice tinged with nerves
Was Rhett mad at her?
Weren’t you let go from your job?” Rhett reminded her, his tone edged with a reminder she couldn’t avoid.
Kristin let out a sound of realization, finally catching on.
What should I call you then?” Rhett asked with a brooding look on his face.
“Well, I can’t keep calling you that,” Kristin muttered, feeling a flush of embarrassment at the formality of their titles.
“Too hot to handle?” Rhett was clearly irked, “Or am I not worthy?”
“No, that’s not it,” Kristin rushed, waving her hands frantically, her gaze dropping to her fidgeting fingers, “Are you angry with me?”
Rhett sighed and pulled her into a retaliatory kiss, “Why would I be angry?”
Kristin’s ears burned red as she cast a panicked glance around and thankfully the school entrance was mostly deserted.
“Did Hanson come looking for you?” she whispered.
“Growing a backbone? Going behind my back to contact Hanson?” Rhett drove with one hand, the other gripping Kristin’s hand tightly.
“It was just business,” Kristin sneaked a look at Rhett, trying to explain, “The Lewis family wants to establish themselves in Silvergrove City, a partnership with the FitzGerald Group seemed like a surefire way.”
“So you sold me out?” Rhett gritted his teeth, “Do you realize what you’re doing is akin to human trafficking?“–
Kristin stared at him, shocked. How did helping become trafficking?
“Mrs. Lewis‘ biological daughter still hasn’t been found, and they gave it a year. I thought that’d be enough time for you,” she ventured again.
“Is Hanson an idiot?” Rhett didn’t buy that Hanson would let Kristin off the hook so easily, “What else did you promise him?”
“Just to be his assistant, to help him secure the Larkspur Landing project,” Kristin said, her voice a diminishing whisper.
Rhett hit the brakes hard, pulling over.
The Larkspur Landing project was under the Turner family’s jurisdiction, with Clarence at the
Was Kristin really going to compete with Clarence for the project?
Frowning, Rhett looked at her. “Are you sure?”
helm.
“Fair competition. I’m not out to hurt the Turner family,” Kristin’s anxiety was evident, her eyes reddening as she struggled to articulate her thoughts.
She feared Rhett would misinterpret her motives.
Afraid he would see her as a venomous snake, just like Hanson did.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s unfair,” Rhett felt a pang in his chest, but his grip on her hand was reassuring. “Kristin, you don’t owe anyone anything. Yes, the Turner family raised you for twenty–one years, but that’s no excuse for how they’ve hurt you.”
Kristin fought to steady her breath, her panic palpable.
“I’m afraid that getting close to Clarence will hurt you,” Rhett admitted, concerned that Clarence could trigger painful memories for Kristin.
Those past memories were torture for her every minute.
“event
Rhett had Granger dig up everything about Kristin’s past years, but he couldn’t even bring himself to look at it.
He was afraid of losing control of his emotions.
How much more painful would it be for Kristin herself?
“No, it won’t,” Kristin shook her head.
Biting her lip, she looked at Rhett with a newfound determination, “I want to help you.”
She just wanted to be a woman of worth by his side.
Rhett’s heart skipped a beat, an overwhelming sense of suffocation enveloping him.
He often cursed himself for not falling for Kristin sooner, for not being there to whisk her away when her true heritage was cruelly revealed six years ago, to give her a home.
Thinking of what Kristin had endured over the years left Rhett feeling choked and powerless.
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He couldn’t change the past but was hell bent on creating a secure future for her.
“Kristin, do what you want, and I’ll always have your back,” Rhett wanted to say she didn’t have to do anything, just stay with him.
But that seemed too selfish.
Instead of restraining her, he’d rather give her the security she needed to bloom freely.
“Whatever you decide to do, go for it. Win or lose, you’ve got me behind you.”
Kristin stared at Rhett, lost in thought for a long moment.
So this was what it felt like to have someone watching your back.
She gave Rhett a quick kiss, then immediately felt the urge to flee.
Caught off guard, Rhett recovered faster, his hand cradling her head with a smirk, “You think you can flirt with me and then run away?”
“I didn’t,” Kristin stammered, her face flushed as she avoided his gaze.
“Let’s go.” Rhett chuckled, driving off towards home, “We’ll settle this at home. You owe me an explanation for wanting to be Hanson’s assistant. That’s the one thing I can’t agree to.”
Kristin looked up at him, fear in her eyes, “I can’t back out, and I’ve already agreed with Mr. Lewis.”
“I don’t agree,” Rhett said sternly, his face darkening. Hanson was no good, no better than James.
“Why?” Kristin sniffled.
“Because I’m your husband,” Rhett shot her a stern glance.
Kristin felt a warm sensation in her chest, and she shyly turned her gaze away, out the car window. Her cheeks were flushed with heat.
She thought her heart had grown numb, yet it still knew how to beat.
“You just said I could do whatever I want,” Kristin murmured under her breath.
“Kristin, feeling your oats, aren’t we?” Rhett ground his molars, a mischievous glint in his eye. Was his darling wife trying to pull a fast one on him?
*Just like you said,” Kristin mustered her courage, “Besides, I’m only going to work, no personal dealings with Hanson. I’ll head straight home after my shift.”
She held up two fingers as if taking an oath.
Seeing Rhett grunt, Kristin’s confidence wavered.
Time to turn on the charm.
“Honey…” Why did that sound so awkward?
“The Lewis family is itching to get a foothold in the Silvergrove City market. A little competition is inevitable. ‘Know thy enemy, right? | could be your inside woman.” Kristin looked at Rhett, her eyes alight with a mix of pleading and promise.
Rhett couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m the big shot of the massive FitzGerald Group. Do I really need my own wife to play spy?”
He reached out to tousle Kristin’s hair, a surge of affection compelling him to fold her into his arms.
“Getting to know our rivals a bit better isn’t a bad idea,” Kristin huffed, frustrated at his nonchalance. Why was he so hard to persuade?
If she called Hanson now and said she wasn’t going to be his assistant, Hanson’s temper might flare up something fierce.
Rhett remained silent.
He was a man, and he knew exactly what Hanson was up to. Badmouthing Kristin with his words, but his eyes were always roving her way. At least James was man enough to admit his feelings for Kristin.
“Rhett…” Kristin tugged at his arm, imitating Fiona’s coquettish ways.
Rhett parked the car in the driveway, inhaling sharply.
That was her being coy? She nearly turned his arm into a bruised bouquet.
Stepping out of the car, Rhett opened the passenger door without a word, scooped Kristin up in his arms, and headed straight for the
house.
Confused and nervous, Kristin clutched at Rhett’s shirt, “What are you doing?”
“You’ve ticked me off, that’s what,” Rhett declared, landing a playful slap on Kristin’s derrière. “No use begging for mercy, and you’ve used up today’s get–out–of–jail–free card.”
“Then can I go be Hanson’s assistant?” she ventured, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and trepidation.
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Rhett inhaled deeply, teeth clenched, “It’s not completely out of the question. Win me over, and I’ll think about it.”
