Chapter 119

Chapter 119

The color drained from Lisa’s face, leaving her pale as a ghost.

“Kristin!” she shouted.

Taking a step back with her phone in hand, Kristin flashed Lisa a smile. “Lisa, it’s such a pleasure to be working with you.”

Lisa trembled her hands uncontrollably.

Kristin had been plotting against her relentlessly, and now she had revealed the person who had positioned Nicola by Rhett’s side.

With Nicola’s temperament, there was no way she would let Lisa off the hook. She was at Kristin’s mercy.

Kristin was truly terrifying.

“Mr. FitzGerald takes good care of all his employees.”

As Kristin’s words hung in the air, the police walked in. “Kristin? We received a report that you’re suspected of assault. Please come with us.”

Kristin glanced at Lisa, her expression composed.

Around them stood the company’s senior staff, all watching the spectacle at the door.

Lisa feigned calmness, stepping forward with a smile. “Sorry, it’s all a misunderstanding. I’m the HR manager for the FitzGerald Group. I just had a chat. with Kristin and realized it was a procedural error on our part, no assault took place.” The police officer frowned. “Are you the person in charge here?”

Lisa nodded. “Yes, there’s been a misunderstanding. We’ll handle it internally. Thank you for your time.”

“Lisa, what’s going on?” Holcomb approached, clearly displeased.

Kristin remained silent, intent on having Lisa speak on her behalf. By doing so, she was effectively cutting off any escape for Lisa.

“Mr. Holcomb, it’s all a misunderstanding. We just sorted things out and realized it was indeed an error during a staff handover on my part. I had specifically instructed the training department to emphasize that Mr. FitzGerald is allergic to peanuts, but

1/5

12:02

they misunderstood and thought he liked peanuts, hence the mix–up.” Lisa quickly interjected, planning to pin the blame on a scapegoat and be done with it.

Holcomb cast a meaningful glance at Kristin and snorted. “Rhett is still in the hospital. We need to get to the bottom of this.”

“It was a misunderstanding.” Rhett emerged from the crowd, his words instantly calming Kristin’s agitated heart.

“Mr. FitzGerald.” The police officer stepped forward to inquire.

Rhett explained briefly to the authorities that he insisted on having peanut brittle, not anticipating an allergic reaction, and that it had nothing to do with his assistant.

The police took notes and left.

The company employees quickly returned to their posts, no one daring to trouble Rhett further.

“Rhett! Are you okay?” Hertha ran over, crying and embracing Rhett, her face the picture of fright.

Rhett darkened his expression, his gaze involuntarily catching Kristin’s. She stood dumbfounded by the door, not coming any closer.

With a stormy expression, Rhett shot a warning look at York.

York, scared, quickly stepped between Rhett and Hertha, arms outstretched. “Ms. Haywood, Mr. FitzGerald is still feeling under the weather. Let him rest in his office.”

Hertha cleaned her tears, her voice soft. “Rhett, this whole ordeal was terrifying. Your people aren’t careful enough. If I were your assistant, I would never make such a mistake. Maybe I should just take on that role.”

Rhett didn’t hear a word Hertha said, his attention fixed on Kristin.

What was Kristin pondering so deeply that she stood there, head bowed, clutching her arm?

“We must take this incident seriously,” Holcomb insisted, seeing an opportunity for Rhett to end his absurd marriage to Kristin.

“You’re right, it must be dealt with seriously.” Rhett approached Kristin, his voice deep. “No more peanut brittle. I want a reflective essay on my desk by the end of the day. You don’t leave until it’s done!”

Kristin snapped back to reality, looking at Rhett.

2/5

12:03

Chapter 119

A reflective essay?

Holcomb darkened his face, Rhett was clearly feigning ignorance to provoke him.

“I can’t deal with you anymore. You better watch yourself!” Holcomb pointed at Kristin and then at Rhett.

If they didn’t resolve this issue now, any future exposure would tarnish Rhett’s reputation.

“Mr. FitzGerald…” Lisa called out, trembling, too scared to raise her head.

“Shouldn’t you also write a reflective essay and submit it to me?” Rhett asked pointedly.

Lisa nodded hastily. “Yes, this is my fault.” She was petrified and dared not openly defy Rhett.

If Rhett wanted to target her, Lisa would be utterly cornered.

“What are you still standing there for? Did I tell you to stand? Come in and write that essay.” Rhett looked down at Kristin, a smile playing on his lips.

Kristin quickly turned and scurried after Rhett.

“Rhett…” Hertha stood still, her voice hoarse. Was she being ignored by Rhett?

“Ms. Haywood, you’re not well. You should go home and rest. Shall I take you?” York smiled, intercepting Hertha, offering to escort her.

“I’d like to have lunch with Rhett.” Hertha clenched her hands, wanting York to back off, but since he was Rhett’s cousin, she restrained herself. She had to keep up

appearances.

“Mr. FitzGerald just threw up and the doctor said he can’t eat for now. You go on home and he’ll visit you once he’s feeling better,” York insisted, blocking Hertha with a strained smile.

Tears welled up in Hertha’s eyes. “Does Rhett not like me?” she asked.

“I swear he doesn’t dislike you!” York was as gentle as they come, treating women. like delicate roses. Hertha was like a pristine jasmine in bloom, yet it seemed to him. that Mr. FitzGerald lacked the appreciation for such beauty. “Ms. Haywood, you know how much the Harborside Haven project means to Mr. FitzGerald. He’s a workaholic who pulled out his IV to come back to work. Nothing gets in the way when he’s in the zone.”

Chapter 119

Hertha understood all too well that Rhett disliked interruptions during work.

“Eddie was my senior at college, and I’ve already reached out to him. We’re heading to Harborside Haven together. I can be a real help to him,” said Hertha with utmost sincerity.

York pondered for a moment, deciding to play it cool for now. “Alright, Ms. Haywood, I’ll pass on your thoughtful message to Mr. FitzGerald.”

Hertha bit the corner of her lip, her fingers tightening. “How can Rhett be so casual about hiring an assistant

York took a deep breath. Casual? Was she kidding?

The moment Kristin arrived, she practically blew the doors off the FitzGerald Group!

HR was like the first challenge in the FitzGerald Group, which seemed impenetrable to Rhett’s path. It had taken York years without making much headway, but Kristin had stormed in and overcame it with a couple of well–placed slaps.

Indeed, appearances could be deceiving.

“Miss Kristin passed the assessment with flying colors,” York admitted with a hint of admiration in his voice.

Hertha just nodded, not saying anything more.

“Ms. Haywood, let me escort you,” offered Randall, rushing over to personally operate

the elevator for her.

“I remember Kristin. She’s Vincent’s fiancée, right?” Hertha asked with a hint of

meaning.

Randall nodded. “There’s a rumor to that effect.”

Hertha snorted a laugh, her smile cold. It looked like she needed to pay a visit to the Turner family and have a word with Ruby about Kristin.

In the office.

Kristin was a bundle of nerves. She had maintained such a good facade, but now she felt as wobbly as her shaky legs. Barely holding her stance, she leaned against the door frame.

Rhett, sipping on his coffee, leaned back against his desk. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of Kristin. “Don’t forget your reflective essay,” he reminded her.

“Mr. FitzGerald, what should I write about?” Kristin stammered.

12.01

Chapter 119

“Did you block James‘ number?” Rhett suddenly changed the subject.

Kristin’s guilt made her fingers fidget nervously. “No, I can’t just block.”

Rhett set his coffee cup down with a stern look. “Focus on your reflection! You’re not leaving until it’s done.”

Kristin stood there, bewildered. What was she supposed to reflect on?