Chapter 165

Chapter 165

“Security is just for show now?” Rhett’s voice was a low grumble as he questioned York.

York looked utterly clueless. After all, security wasn’t his department.

Mr. FitzGerald had been acting off lately, glaring at him as if he was some kind of eyesore. “Mr. FitzGerald, I’ll speak to the head of security right away and ensure they tighten things up,” York murmured, almost to himself.

“Rhett…” Hertha trembled her voice, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Rhett, I’m here on behalf of my family about the whole mess with Adrienne. We need to talk.”

Rhett glanced at the calendar. Tomorrow was the deadline he’d set for the Haywood family.

He closed his office door with a click and, all business, led Hertha to the VIP meeting

room.

Cameras were everywhere.

Rhett was making it crystal clear that this was strictly business with Hertha.

Taking a deep breath, Hertha steeled herself and followed Rhett into the meeting room.

“This whole debacle is Adrienne’s fault. She’s the baby of the family, and our parents spoiled her rotten. As her sister, I’m partly to blame,” Hertha said, her voice choked with emotion and seemingly full of remorse.

Rhett had no interest in the sob story. “So, what’s the deal?”

“We will hold a press conference, admit to Adrienne’s mistakes and publicly apologize to Kristin. Then, we’ll send Adrienne abroad,” Hertha said, clenching her fingers tightly.

To the Haywood family, these actions implied cutting Adrienne loose. Yet, for Hertha, this could represent a gleam of hope. Despite the blow to the family’s reputation, she would emerge as the victim, garnering sympathy.

With Adrienne out of the picture, the family’s resources would be channeled into Hertha.

She was the eldest, after all. The Haywood family and the Bryce family had an engagement pact, and her parents had thought of Adrienne first, not her.

Even though Hertha didn’t want the engagement with James, it still stung to feel less favored.

She was the eldest, yet her parents doted on Adrienne.

Now, with Adrienne cast aside, they’d have to rely solely on Hertha.

“No need for a public apology to Kristin in front of the press. Just admit to the wrongdoing. As for an apology, that’s secondary harm. Kristin only needs to see Adrienne’s conséquences, not wait for some so–called apology,” Rhett said sternly. He didn’t want Kristin to be thrust into the public again, which would be too cruel.

Kristin suffered from social anxiety and severe stress. Rhett’s only wish was to keep her safe behind him.

Hertha, green with envy, clenched her fists, not daring to meet his gaze.

She feared seeing real affection in his eyes for Kristin.

She hoped Rhett was merely using Kristin, that once Kristin was no longer of value, he wouldn’t care for her as much.

“Rhett, take a look at this paternity test result,” Hertha said quietly, sliding the document across the table.

Rhett furrowed his brows with suspicion, wary of Hertha’s latest scheme.

“This is a grandparentage test between Summer and Carter,” explained Hertha. Getting James‘ hair proved too difficult, so she had resorted to Carter’s assistant, who had provided the sample under the guise of a haircut.

Only Hertha had this test result.

Clearly, she was using it to negotiate with Rhett.

Rhett darkened his expression immediately. “I’d like to know how do you get Summer’s hair?” His voice was icy, sending a chill down Hertha’s spine.

Clearly, Rhett was angry.

“I was prepared to let your family off the hook, but it seems you’re keen on digging your graves,” Rhett’s fury was palpable. If even the school wasn’t safe, that kindergarten might

as well shut down.

“Don’t get mad yet, look at the results first,” Hertha shook her voice. “I admit I obtained. Summer’s hair, but without causing harm. I was worried about Kris, I did it for her.”

dit

Hertha sighed, speaking once more. “Rhett, Kristin claims that Summer is James‘ child, and both James and Carter believe it. Carter is especially fond of Summer. But our family and Bryce family are bound by marriage. Now that our family has decided to confess to Adrienne’s misdeeds, it essentially torpedoes the marriage alliance. Carter will resent Kris, and if…” Her words were soft, seemingly full of concern for Kristin.

But between the lines, she was insinuating to Rhett that Kristin was a habitual liar, never to be trusted.

Ignoring Hertha, Rhett reached for the envelope and examined the test result.

It showed no genetic link between Carter and Summer. In other words, Carter wasn’t Summer’s great–grandfather.

Rhett furrowed his brow, his fingers tightening around the crumpled report. “And do your think I’d believe you?”

“Rhett…” Hertha burst into tears, her voice breaking as she locked eyes with Rhett. “Kristin and I were friends before all this. I like her, and I did this for her good. It’s clear that Summer isn’t James‘ child and he looks nothing like James.”

At the sight of Rhett’s darkened expression, Hertha spoke again. “If you don’t believe me, you can take Summer and James to get tested again. If I’m lying, you can do whatever you want with me.”

Rhett remained silent.

Hertha had no reason to fabricate this matter. She was well aware of the consequences

of lying.

But Hertha was not the kind–hearted woman she appeared to be. Her purpose in coming.

was to use these test results to control him.

Because she knew that once Carter found out, Kristin would face a harsh backlash.

“Ms. Haywood, you’re a smart woman. What do you want, bringing this DNA report out of the blue?” Rhett’s voice was heavy, demanding a straight answer.

“I don’t have any agenda.” Hertha just had fake innocence. “Rhett, I’m just worried. Kristin is seeking refuge, and she’s even daring to lie to the Bryce family. What if she’s exposed and has no one to protect her?”

Hertha was sowing the seed that Kristin was prone to lying.

“Do you think Kristin has the audacity to lie and deceive James?” Rhett scoffed, flicking. his lighter and setting the report in his hand ablaze.

There was only one possibility that the liar was James.

James, to keep Kristin tied to him, was using the child.

“A man wouldn’t falsely claim others‘ son. Is it possible that after James and Kristin got together, he wasn’t certain…” Hertha’s words hung in the air, afraid to continue. “I mean Kristin is clear about the real identity of Summer’s biological father. How could she not know who Summer’s dad is?”

“Are you suggesting she has some sort of DNA testing superpower?” Rhett warned Hertha. “Until I get to the bottom of this, if word gets out…”

“Rhett, you still don’t trust me. I won’t breathe a word of this, but if something happens to Adrienne, Holcomb will hold an even greater grudge against Kristin. If he decides to investigate and finds something, I can’t help it.” Hertha rushed to explain. “Besides, during

the years Kristin was locked up, it wouldn’t be hard to find out who visited her Summer’s biological father would have seen her.”

Hertha was leading Rhett astray, suggesting he should investigate this angle while also insinuating that Kristin had multiple men in her life, making the identity of the child’s father a point of contention.

Rhett wasn’t listening to Hertha,

His mind was consumed with Summer.

“York, escort Ms. Haywood home.” Leaving the negotiation room, Rhett strode back to his office and began rummaging through his safe,

Finally, at the very back, he found an old photograph of himself as a child with his mother. In the picture, a young Rhett, about five or six years old, bore a striking resemblance to Summer at his current age.