Chapter 134

Chapter 134

The morning next day, Rhett woke up with his head pounding.

“Damn…” he muttered under his breath, a familiar sense of regret seeping in.

With effort, Rhett sat up and glanced at the desolate expanse of his king–sized bed, the sheets a jumbled testament to last night’s follies.

The memories were hazy, obscured by a hangover that clung to him like a second skin. He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of his low mood.

It had been six years since he’d been played for a fool, and yet, here he was, seemingly reliving history.

“Rhett, you’re up.” Hertha’s voice came from the bathroom, her tone rough with a tinge of shyness. She emerged holding a freshly washed towel. “Clean your face… it’ll help.”

Her cheeks were flushed with an awkward tenderness in her eyes that didn’t quite reach Rhett. He shot her a frosty look, his voice icy. “Hertha, I let go of the incident six years ago because it was ancient history. Do you take me for an idiot again?”

He felt like a puppet in a game he didn’t consent to play.

“Rhett…” Hertha gasped, a picture of innocence. “I don’t know what you mean. I was just… taking care of you last night.”

“Taking care of me? Am I supposed to owe you for that?” Rhett’s laugh was hollow.

She bit her lip with a gesture of faux vulnerability. “We were supposed to get engaged, and six

years ago…”

“Get out,” Rhett cut her off, his voice brooking no argument.

Hertha stood, stunned for a moment before her eyes brimmed with panic. “Rhett. believe me…

His expression was granite and he was in no mood to repeat himself.

“Mr. Fitzgerald!” The urgency in York’s voice carried from beyond the door.

Rhett’s fury had scared Hertha, who had probably never seen such a terrifying side of him before.

“Ms. Haywood, please leave,” York said as he ushered her out, his voice shaky. “We can discuss this later.”

Once Hertha was gone, York closed the door with trembling hands. “Mr. Fitzgerald, it’s my fault. I should have warned Kristin to be more cautious ahead of time. What’s your plan for handling this?”

“Start with Randall and don’t let anyone off the hook!” Rhett’s command was firm as he got out of bed.

12:02

Chapter 134

York nearly collapsed, his legs going weak. The marks of passion on Rhett’s body were a testament to the passion of the previous night. Who would have thought the demure Ms. Haywood could be so fierce?

York felt like he might as well be walking to his execution.

Rhett’s anger was something York never wanted to face head–on.

“Randall is Holcomb’s pawn,” York managed to stammer out, a reminder of who they were dealing with.

Rhett’s gaze was piercingly cold.

York quickly lowered his gaze. “I…I’ll find it out. Where was…where was Kristin last night?” he stammered.

Rhett’s face hardened into a frown, but he offered no reply.

Having laid out fresh clothes for Rhett, York didn’t allow himself the time or courage to ask anything further. He turned and beat a hasty retreat from the room.

The atmosphere around Rhett was suffocating, reminiscent of the scandal six years ago.

In the hotel’s garden, Kristin collapsed in the gazebo, her sleep restless and disturbed. She was running a fever, a consequence of the previous night’s ordeal.

“Kristin, Rhett has agreed to our engagement. As for whatever happened last night, you know what should not be said.” Hertha stood before Kristin, her tone suggestive.

Kristin rubbed her forehead, wordless.

“Nicola is at Harborside Haven. Word is she is cozying up to Eddie’s mother, even gifting her an emerald set worth millions,” Hertha reminded her. “So Rhett might not win this afternoon’s bidding against Vincent.”

If Vincent secured the project, he would lay a firm foundation for his position, challenging Rhett’s authority.

Kristin clenched her fists, her head bowed in silence.

“Kristin, just help me out, okay? I want to support Rhett too, but he’s resisting me. He thinks I’m scheming against him, which it’s so unjust,” Hertha pleaded, grabbing Kristin’s arm with feigned affection.

Kristin recoiled reflexively, curling up and hugging her knees to her chest, mute.

“Do you know why Rhett despises me? Because six years ago, we slept together after I was set up. He’s always thought I was part of the scheme. He’s got this obsession with purity. It’s been years and he’s still hung up on it. And if he thinks…” Hertha’s insinuation was clear.

Kristin’s eyes welled up with tears, but she remained quiet, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.

1203 M 7

Chapter 134

“Three years ago, there was an actress, Cindy, who tried to get close to Rhett and ended up in a mental institution. She had completely lost her mind,” Hertha spoke with feigned innocence, her words laced with threat. She was trying to intimidate Kristin.

“Rhett finds Cindy repulsive because she had been with so many men, even had a child.”

Kristin tightened her grip, her nails digging into her palm.

“Kris, I like you and don’t want you to get hurt. You understand what I’m saying, right?” Hertha’s patience was evident as she spoke.

Kristin tightened her grip around her legs.

If Rhett ever found out what happened last night, he would probably think it was all a calculated move by Kristin, wouldn’t he?

The thought alone was enough to churn her stomach. Kristin couldn’t bear the thought of Rhett despising her.

Tears welled up in Kristin’s eyes, and she fought the urge to cry.

“That day, I went to pick up my niece from the daycare and saw Summer there. He’s such an angel. It would be a crying shame for such a sweet child to grow up without her mother.” Hertha delivered another heavy blow to Kristin’s already fragile state.

“Adrienne is coming back, you know? She’s got a heart condition and needs medical parole.”

Kristin snapped up her head, her eyes wide with intense fear.

Adrienne was coming back.

Kristin began to tremble her body uncontrollably. Most of the darkest moments of her past had been gifts from Adrienne.

Now that she had landed Adrienne in the clink, Adrienne would be out for blood.

Taking a hot and shaky breath, Kristin clutched at herself, biting down hard on the corner of her lip.

She couldn’t let Rhett hate her and couldn’t survive without his protection…

She still needed Rhett, so she had to keep the truth about last night a secret.

“Kristin! What are you doing hiding out here? Mr. FitzGerald is furious. Where in the world were you last night?” York had come looking and admonished her with thick anger.

Noticing Hertha present, York promptly shut his mouth.

Hertha gave Kristin a meaningful glance.

“I… I couldn’t find Mr. FitzGerald last night…” Kristin muttered, her voice hoarse with emotion.

With a slight smirk, Hertha felt reassured and left.

She knew Kristin wouldn’t dare to speak a word.