Chapter 79
Bright and early the next morning. Kristin had just woken up when she heard a ruckus outside.
A bunch of people were talking.
“We’re from Angelic Guard International Nursery. Here’s our head of academic affairs, Mr. Collins. We’re here to check on one of our students who’s been sick and missing school.”
“Yep. Mr. FitzGerald gave us a ring himself.”
“Mr. Collins, you’re all about the Summer’s future, right? We can’t have him missing out on school. We’re sincere about this and we will take good care of Summer.”
“Summer’s got top marks in IQ and entrance exams, a real whiz kid. It’d be such a waste for a talent like that to go anywhere else.”
Kristin propped herself up on her elbow and eavesdropped a little.
Rhett must’ve called the school. Otherwise, why would a fancy school’s big cheese come knocking at their door?
“Our principal has been unwell and transferred out.”
“Yeah, we don’t know what’s up with Principal Haywood, but she got moved to another campus because of some blunders.”
Kristin’s gaze fell as she leaned against the wall.
It was
Rhett who must’ve known Adrienne could blast that video to all the parents. It wasn’t a fluke. Principal Haywood must’ve had a big part in it.
“We’ll be attending school as usual today. I’ll take Summer there in a bit.”
Kristin stepped out, speaking in a hushed tone.
The school official visibly relaxed, greeting her warmly. “Ms. Turner, right? Mr. FitzGerald has given us special requirements. Don’t worry. We’ll take great care of Summer.”
Kristin was taken aback by the enthusiasm and instinctively took a step back. “Okay.” she replied.
“Summer is such a bright child and so adorable! We love having geniuses like him.”
Kristin eyed the suddenly over–the–top school official and couldn’t help but sense the irony and reality of it all.
Just after one phone call from Rhett, these people completely changed their attitudes.
Harriet was right. You’ve gotta have some clout.
“Kristin, we owe Rhett a lot, and I’m worried…” Garner seemed anxious, afraid Kristin might not be able to handle the future.
11:28 1
Kristin shook her head. “I’ve figured it out. I’m not scared anymore.”
She had to learn to change if she was going to protect Summer.
“Mommy, don’t worry about me, I’ll be good and listen to the teacher, and wait for you to pick me up.” Summer reassured Kristin in a soft voice as he entered the nursery.
Kristin nodded with a warm smile. “I’ll be there to pick you up.”
“Hey, isn’t that Kristin?”
Just as Summer ran into the nursery, a woman in high heels made a snarky comment. “Heard the Haywood family’s been scouring the earth for you. Pretty bold of you to be strutting around Silvergrove City and daring to drop off your kid.”
Kristin pulled her hat down lower, not daring to linger, and made a dash for it.
The woman blocked Kristin’s path. “Kristin, we go way back, and I don’t want to go to extremes, but you had Adrienne locked up. Now you’ve crossed the Haywood family…”
Kristin took a deep breath. This woman was one of Adrienne’s cronies.
Kristin heard she’d tied the knot early with some rich dude, a guy a decade her senior who splurged and played the field.
Now this woman was a full–time housewife, tending to the kids at home.
“This has nothing to do with you.” Kristin’s voice was hoarse as she tried to leave.
“There she is!”
Several sports cars pulled up at the nursery’s entrance.
Clearly, the woman had blasted a message to their chat group after spotting Kristin.
Kristin gasped in fear, contemplating calling Rhett. She didn’t know who else to turn to.
“Look at you, Kristin! Hightailing it to Crescendo Town and still brazen enough to show yourself in Silvergrove City! The Haywood family and the Turner family are about to put a hit out on you.” A rich woman leaned against his car door, lighting a cigarette with a smirk. “Did you guys tell Tam to come to rescue his goddess?”
Kristin kept her head down, trying to leave.
The folks from the sports cars surrounded her by the trash cans. “Trying to run, huh?”
A woman with pink hair grabbed Kristin’s collar and smacked her face. “Look at you now, what a sorry sight, all dressed in rags. Fake will always be fake, not fit for the spotlight.”
Kristin looked up at the woman, her eyes reddening. “Your dad owes billions and your mom’s got side action. Do you think you’re any better?”
The pink–haired woman looked shocked. Was Kristih talking back to her?
“Huh?” The woman laughed, looking around. “Did I hear that right?”
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11:29
Chapter 79
Kristin glanced at the others. “You all dressed to the nines like you’re rolling in it like you’re the cream of high society. However, deep down, you reek. All of you loafing around is nothing without your family?”
These rich kids were nothing like James or Rhett.
“At your age, you’re all in driving sports cars, racing, drinking, clubbing and chasing girls.” Kristin’s voice broke as she shook uncontrollably.
She’d been holding back so long.
She wanted to lash out and knew what it would cost, but she couldn’t stand it anymore.
And she wouldn’t stand for it anymore!
“I know why you love putting me down. Because it makes you feel high and mighty. You nobodies get dissed at home, so of course, you need to feel big out here, a bunch of worthless…”
Kristin struggled to breathe, tears streaming down her face.
She edged backward, eyeing everyone with a guarded look.
Even if it came to a beating, she wasn’t scared anymore. She’d arm herself with the law to fight. back.
“Whoa, is that Kristin? What, did someone take over your body?”
“Got your tongue today, eh? We were starting to think you were a mute.”
Those folks were clearly riled up by Kristin, closing in step by step.
“Look at you, all tough after a trip to Crescendo Town,” the pink–haired woman aimed to hit Kristin. “You got some big shot backing you now?”
Kristin was backing away in fear when she bumped into someone’s embrace.
After instinctively clutching her head, it took a while for Kristin to catch her breath.
At the sight of the rich guys‘ change, retreating with eyes wide in terror, Kristin‘ finally looked up at the person behind her.
He was exceptionally tall. Bumping into him felt like hitting a wall… an inexplicably dependable wall.
It was Rhett. Why was he here?
“Mr. FitzGerald… what are you doing here? What a coincidence.”
“Hey, Mr. FitzGerald…” A few women around tried to cozy up, all tense and on edge.
They all knew that Rhett was someone who couldn’t be messed with.
“Did Summer go off to school?” Rhett ignored the leeches, looking down at Kristin.
11:29
Kristin welled up her eyes, nodding with a sense of grievance, “She did…”
“Had breakfast yet?” Rhett reached to touch the gauze on Kristin’s neck. “Does it still hurt?”
Kristin hung her head low, as if shrinking into the dust, shaking it vigorously.
The pain didn’t faze her.
“Let’s go grab some breakfast,” Rhett said, taking the initiative to grab Kristin’s hand and lead her away.
He didn’t need to do much, just holding hands or even exchanging a few words with Kristin was enough to intimidate everyone.
The rich guys looked as if they’d seen a ghost, pale as sheets.
Was that Rhett holding hands with Kristin!?
