Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Kristin nodded and ladled some soup for Rhett.

Rhett was stunned for a while. He’d already had dinner but still felt the urge to dig in.

Kristin was eating cautiously, and when Rhett put down his fork, she quickly followed suit and got up to clean up.

Rhett pitched in and loaded the dishes Into the dishwasher, something he wouldn’t bother with in a million years.

“We’re partners, not master and servant outside of work hours.” Rhett told Kristin, saying she didn’t need to bust her chops.

Crouched beside the dishwasher, Kristin fidgeted for quite some time.

Her fingertips grew cold, and she looked down at the floor, feeling deflated. Five years behind bars left her out of sync with society, clueless about these fancy newfangled gadgets.

Seeing Kristin frozen in place, Rhett squatted beside her and peeked at the dishwasher, whispering, “I don’t know how to work this thing, either. Let’s have the housekeeper deal with it

tomorrow.”

Kristin looked up at Rhett, her heart racing.

He said he didn’t know how to use it either.

She knew Rhett was clueless because he never bothered with such things, but she still felt like a comfort to her.

“I’ll learn from the maid tomorrow,” Kristin said with a smile to Rhett.

Rhett chuckled softly. “Okay, and then you can teach me.

Kristin’s face flushed, and she looked down, fiddling with her fingers.

“Don’t be too kind to me.” She thought inwardly, “I don’t deserve it, and I’m scared.”

“The master bedroom on the first floor is right here, sunny and spacious. The walk–in closet. should be to your liking.” Rhett said, knowing Kristin probably hadn’t picked a room and took

the initiative

Kristin nodded, then ducked into the room and hid behind the door. “Goodnight, Mr. FitzGerald,” she said.

Rhett wanted to say more, but Kristin’s “goodnight” shut him up. She was seriously socially awkward.

With a nod, Rhett headed upstairs.

Having a stranger suddenly living in his house and saying goodnight to him… Strangely, he felt it good.

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12:50

With a slight smile, Rhett walked into his study.

With Kristin moving in, the house didn’t seem so empty anymore.

In her room, Kristin looked around, then nervously hid in the bathroom.

It took her quite a while to cautiously start filling the bathtub.

It had been so long since she’d felt at ease enough to relax.

By Rhett’s side, a sense of security came naturally.

“Ding.” Her phone vibrated.

Lying in the tub, Kristin checked her phone. It was a message from Rhett, who reminded her to keep her wound away from water.

Her cheeks flared up again with a blush.

She set the phone aside and curled up in the bathtub, holding her injured hand, staring at it for

ages.

It all felt like a dream.

Being with Rhett, even if it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, felt Incredibly lucky to her.

Resting her head on the tub edge, Kristin slowly closed her eyes. She was so sleepy.

Finally, she could sleep soundly.

At the Diamond Crest Hotel.

After the police questioning. James returned to the hotel, visibly displeased and with a dark expression.

The FitzGerald family thought James had called the cops. Rhett sure knew how to pass the buck.

*Is Kristin discharged?” James asked.

Bill tightened his grip on the steering wheel nervously as he replied, “Today, I ran into Rhett’s assistant, York, at the hospital. He said Kristin was in the doctor’s office. I went there, but the doctor said she had left. By the time I got to her ward, Kristin was gone.”

James‘ face darkened. “Go to Garner’s place.” He was worried about Kristin.

“Mr. Bryce, have you ever considered… If you don’t call off your engagement with Adrienne, Ms. Kristin will never feel secure,” Bill said, mustering courage.

With someone like Adrienne, she wouldn’t leave Kristin alone even if she were out of the picture. Kristin would never be with James if he didn’t break off the engagement.

Chapter 96.

“Then let’s hide her away,” James rubbed his temple. “Father has agreed to the marriage with the Haywood family. It’s not that easy to cancel. I can only try to delay it or get divorced after three years.”

“Mr. Bryce, that’s not fair to Kristin and Summer,” Bill said as he waited at the traffic light.

“Fair? What is fair? Marriage is only a transaction. It doesn’t affect my feelings for Kristin. I can give her everything apart from that title,” James believed. Even if Adrienne became his wife, she would only be a figurehead. She wouldn’t get his love.

He could give Kristin everything but that title.

Bill opened his mouth to speak but said nothing, driving toward Garner’s place. But Garner’s garage was closed, and everything inside had been cleared out.

“Excuse me, where are the people living here?” Bill got out of the car and asked a neighbor.

“Ah. Garner? He moved out. That landlord was a real jerk, picking on his sister. Garner beat him up and then left.” the neighbor, who liked Garner and Summer, spoke indignantly.

James furrowed his brow and rolled down the window. “Find out where they moved to.”

Bill nodded and got back in the car. “Mr. Bryce, you go back to the hotel and rest. I’ll handle this.”

“Take care of that landlord,” James leaned back in his seat, exhausted.

How dare that landlord mess with Kristin!

“Understood, Mr. Bryce.”

Bill drove out of the narrow alley and suddenly remembered something crucial. “Oh, Mr. Bryce, the paternity center called, saying someone sent by Mr. Carter was asking questions.”

James frowned and sat up. “How was it handled?”

“They did as you instructed,” Bill quickly replied.

James nodded. “Make sure they keep a close watch. No slip–ups.”

Bill nodded.

Carter’s people had checked Summer and James‘ relationship, and the paternity center must have confirmed the father–son connection.

So. Carter would lay off Kristin for Summer’s good graces. He wouldn’t let the Haywood family hurt her, either. Kristin would be safe for the time being.

That meant they had to keep it under wraps for as long as possible.

Once Carter found out Summer wasn’t James‘ son, Kristin would be in hot water.

James massaged his temples, feeling the headache brewing, and spoke up again. “Vincent and Nicola are still trending big time. Rhett sure doesn’t pull any punches.”

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Chapter 96

“Vincent and Nicola have always been troublemakers. As a homewrecker and a love child clawing their way up, they’re biting off more than they can chew. They don’t have the skills to match their ambition, probably no match for Rhett, Bill agreed and nodded.

Gazing out the window, James added with a deeper implication, “As a business partner, I’d rather have a clueless client rather than a formidable adversary like Rhett.”

Tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest, James continued, “With Holcomb’s skills, Vincent will be out in three months tops, and this whole drama will blow over soon.”

“Mr. Bryce, are you suggesting we should back Vincent?” Bill asked nervously, eyeing James. Il Kristin found out, she’d be devastated, considering how much Vincent hurt her.

“It’s not about backing him. It’s about keeping him on a tight leash.” James had a preference for Vincent, whom he could control, over Rhett, who could become a main rival at any moment. Besides, what worried James most was Rhett fighting him for Kristin. Without Rhett in the picture, Kristin’s only option would be him, so he couldn’t allow Rhett to snatch Kristin from his

grasp.

To win over Kristin, he had sacrificed too much already.