Chapter 77
Kristin hung her head, staying silent.
“No wonder Nicola has been gunning for you since six years ago,” Rhett chuckled.
What a fate!
Six years back, when he was heading home, he happened to overhear Nicola putting a hit out on a woman named Kristin.
He wasn’t interested initially, but for some reason, he didn’t want Nicola to get her way, so he
sent someone to rescue Kristin.
Reflecting on it, had he not intervened in the matter, he would have regretted it deeply.
Kristin clenched her fists. Nicola must be scared stiff of her getting tangled up with Rhett.
Nicola played no small part in Vincent’s hatred for her.
“Why didn’t you call James last night?” Rhett asked casually.
Kristin looked down, nervously wringing her fingers. “He… he’s engaged.”
James refused to call off the engagement. That was why she ditched the idea of choosing James.
“Oh? Playing by the rules, you’re not keen on being the other woman.” Rhett said with a touch of amusement.
“If you ever get engaged, please give me a heads up. I’ll make myself scarce,” Kristin said, under no illusion that Rhett would want her around forever.
Maybe he was just momentarily intrigued by her.
Rhett looked at Kristin, saying nothing for a long while.
After a moment of silence, Rhett stepped out of the restroom. “If you’re up for it, we head back to Silvergrove City today.”
The Haywood family was all over Crescendo Town. If Kristin didn’t drop the case, Adrienne could have been stuck inside.
“I’ll handle the police station. You just stick with me.”
Following Rhett, Kristin felt an inexplicable sense of security.
She trusted that Rhett would take care of things.
On the ride back to Silvergrove City, Kristin messaged Harriet from her new phone, saying she was leaving since Crescendo Town wasn’t safe.
Harriet didn’t say much and just told her to stay safe.
1/4
11:28
Clutching the hefty phone, Kristin felt a bit dazed. The phone James got her was also new. It was such a waste to lose it which almost cost a grand down the drain.
Rhett rested with his eyes closed, quietly leaning back in his seat.
Stealing a glance at him, Kristin wondered how a man could be so impeccably perfect.
Quickly looking away, she gazed out the window.
Raising her hand to feel the sunlight, Kristin slowly closed her eyes.
Finally, she took that step.
Completely drained, Kristin slept soundly the whole way.
Perhaps considering Kristin’s condition, Rhett chose to endure the hassle of driving rather than flying home.
Of course, York, as the assistant and driver, bore the brunt of it, cruising the highway for a solid six hours.
Casting a resentful glance at the rear–view mirror, York nearly mistook the gas pedal for the brake.
With Kristin slumped against the car window in deep slumber, Rhett, without a flicker of emotion, offered his arm for her to rest on.
With a deep sigh, York’s gaze grew contemplative. Knowing Rhett as he did, York was certain his interest in Kristin was genuine.
It seemed that Mr. FitzGerald was courting trouble this time.
Heaving a sigh, York pondered how to reduce the hassle for Rhett.
1
But Kristin was a walking disaster, whether as Vincent’s ex–fiancee, the faux heiress of the Turner family, or as the woman who’d been bullied and humiliated by the Silvergrove City.
After a lengthy and murky sleep, Kristin dreamed a long dream.
In it, she fell into an abyssal pond, unable to breathe or cry out until a hand grasped her, yanking her out of the water’s grip.
“No!” Jolted awake, Kristin’s breath came in short gasps.
The car had stopped, and she lay alone on the back seat, covered with Rhett’s jacket.
“Where’s Mr. FitzGerald?” she asked anxiously.
York frowned slightly, speaking in a low voice. “Mr. FitzGerald has gone back to his place. He asked me to drop you off.”
It was only then Kristin noticed they were at Garner’s repair shop through the car window.
Gripping her fists tightly, she feared Rhett didn’t want her anymore, and she couldn’t afford to be without a backer. “Did Mr. FitzGerald… say anything else?”
2/4
11:38
Chapter 77
“Just rest up.” York said, stepping out to open the door for Kristin.
Her body trembling. Kristin clutched her skirt, humbly requesting. “I… I want to see him.”
She knew she was being shameless, clinging to Rhett like this.
“Ms. Turner, you’re a handful in your right. Be aware of that and try to keep your ties with Mr. FitzGerald on the down–low unless he needs you as a shield,” York reminded Kristin.
With her grip loosening, Kristin breathed a sigh of relief. Good, Rhett hadn’t washed his hands. of her.
At least she was still of some value.
“Mr. FitzGerald said to keep good company with Summer. Don’t fret over anything else. He’s got it covered. I’ll come to get you when you’re needed.” York said, ushering Kristin out of the car and handing her a cup of hot cocoa. “Mr. FitzGerald asked me to get this for you.”
Holding the cup of hot cocoa, Kristin asked, “Am I not supposed to be his mistress?”
Didn’t she have to do anything? Did she just stay with her family without any contribution?
York gave Kristin the once–over and knew straight away she got it twisted, “You think Mr. FitzGerald wants to hit the hay with you?”
Kristin’s ears turned beet red with shame, and she bit down on the corner of her lip, staying
mum.
“Mr. FitzGerald is a bit of a clean freak. He’s helping you because you’ve got your merits, but it’s not that kind of sleazy deal you’re thinking about.” York said with a look of distaste before hopping into his car.
Mr. FitzGerald, unlike those pampered rich kids who seldom pondered the consequences of their actions, was governed by his intellect, not by base desires.
Kristin’s reputation was pretty much shot in Silvergrove City. Even if York didn’t buy into the whole wild private life gossip, the fact she had a kid was on the books.
It’s not like Mr. FitzGerald would have the hots for Kristin.
At best, he’s just intrigued by the person she is.
Kristin took a step back instinctively, her head hung low in a mix of shyness and shame.
Rhett got this thing about cleanliness and probably thought she was dirty.
And yeah, she was the one who popped out a stranger’s kid, and the rumors flying around Silvergrove City have dragged her name through the mud. No one was going to bet on her being innocent.
But just waiting around like this was giving her the jitters.
For Summer’s sake, she can’t just sit back and let things happen.
3/4
11:281
Chapter F
“Kris?”
The sound of a car outside snapped her back to reality, and Garner emerged from the cabin, surprised. “You’re back!”
Kristin, a bundle of nerves, eyed Garner closely.
Seeing the bandage wrapped around his arm, she rushed over in a panic, “Garner, what’s wrong with your arm?”
“It’s nothing. I’m working as a bodyguard and took a blade for the boss,” Garner said with a simple grin. “Why are you back so late? Did you sneak in?”
As he ushered Kristin inside, Garner glanced around. “Heard the Haywood family’s been looking for you, and someone tried to take Summer from the nursery.”
He knew Kristin stirred up trouble in Crescendo Town.
“Um… Adrienne hit me, and then I called the cops. The coroner said permanent damage to my left ear and Adrienne might be involved in a criminal offense,” Kristin whispered.
If she didn’t back down this time, Adrienne was going to be behind bars for a bit.
It won’t be long, but it was enough to make the Haywood family seethe with hate.
But it was Adrienne who messed up, not her.
Garner Soured his face. He had seen the cyberbullying videos of Kristin too. “They want you to drop the charges?”
Kristin nodded.
“We’re not backing down,” Garner said quickly, packing stuff up. “Worst comes to worst, I’ll take you out of Silvergrove City with Summer, and we’ll lay low in another city. It’s not like the Haywood family can control everything.”
The lights from a car outside shone through the window.
Kristin, gripped by fear, hid in a corner, “Garner, did they come for me?”
How did they find her so fast?
Garner comforted Kristin and stepped outside alone.
A black sedan was parked outside, and a man got out, his voice filled with urgency, “Has Kristin come back?”
