Chapter 166

Chapter 166

Mr. FitzGerald, can I help you find something?” Kristin asked, noticing Rhett rummaging through his drawers with a look of quiet desperation.

“Nothing.” Rhett responded, quickly stashing a photograph into the depths of his safe

before clearing his throat. “Could you run down to accounting for me? Ask them to bring up last quarter’s financial reports.”

Kristin nodded, albeit confused, and left the office.

Didn’t accounting already deliver last quarter’s reports to Mr. FitzGerald?

Once Kristin was gone, Rhett exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

He’d never felt so guilty in his life.

The resemblance between Summer and his younger self was uncanny.

Rubbing his temples, Rhett stood and made his way out of his office.

“York, keep an eye on Kristin for me, got it? If she takes a bathroom break, I want you waiting outside. Don’t let Vincent anywhere near her,” Rhett instructed, pointing at York. “For heaven’s sake, behave yourself.”

York scratched his head. “Where are you off to? Don’t you need me to drive?”

“I’ll take my car. If Kristin asks, tell her I had to step out to seal a deal. I’ll pick Summer up on my way back. Make sure you drop Kristin home after work,” Rhett said hurriedly before he dashed off.

York snorted. He was practically Kristin’s shadow by now. Whose assistant was he

anyway?

But on second thought, shadowing Kristin sure beat getting an earful from Rhett.

He’d been lectured by Rhett since childhood. Now as an adult, it was the same old story. Life sure had a twisted sense of humor.

“York,” a soft voice called from outside. It was Hertha, her eyes rimmed with red.

York sprang to his feet, eager to play the gallant knight. “Ms. Haywood, looking for Mr. FitzGerald?”

“No, I need to speak with Kristin,” she whispered.

York glanced around. “Sorry, Kristin might be tied up with work. Maybe wait a bit?”

“I’ll wait in Rhett’s office,” Hertha said, slipping inside.

York followed, his duty not allowing him to leave her alone in the office.

Setter safe than sorry…

York, I’ll be fine waiting here.” Hertha assured him with a weak smile, “Could you fetch me a glass of water?”

Nodding. York stepped out to get her water.

Taking advantage of his absence, Hertha stood up and hurried over to Rhett’s computer, Inserting a USB drive.

The drive contained a virus capable of breaching Rhett’s computer defenses, allowing hackers easy access to confidential information.

Hearing York’s footsteps returning, she quickly removed the USB and sat back down, her heart racing.

“Ms. Haywood, here’s your water,” York said as he handed her the glass.

Hertha, her face pale, muttered a thank you and sipped her water absentmindedly.

When Kristin returned, she found York and Hertha in the office, Rhett absent.

“Mr. FitzGerald had to step out for a bit, and Ms. Haywood is here to see you,” York explained, making no move to leave.

His job was to protect Kristin.

Hertha, seeming embarrassed with York’s presence, managed to ask, “York, could your give us a moment alone, please?”

York raced his mind for an excuse to stay.

“York, it’s fine. I’ll talk with Ms. Haywood,” Kristin said, taking the initiative.

She was curious to hear what Hertha wanted to talk about.

With no choice left, York reluctantly left the office but lingered close by to eavesdrop.

“Ms. Haywood, what do you want to talk about?” Kristin asked.

“Tomorrow, my family is holding a press conference to publicly acknowledge all of Adrienne’s past misdeeds,” Hertha said, her eyes welling up as she stood and took Kristin’s hand. “Kris, I want to be friends with you. I’m sorry. I want to apologize on behalf of Adrienne.”

Kristin instinctively stepped back, uncomfortable with the closeness.

“Kris, we’re friends, right? If you ever have any trouble, just tell me, please? I don’t have many close friends, and you’re the best one I have.” Hertha was soft. “Is that okay?”

Kristin tightened her grip, her instincts telling her this wasn’t right.

“Kris, don’t worry. At the press conference tomorrow, we’ll only acknowledge Adrienne’s

2/4

faults. We won’t bring you into it again, I promise, Hertha preemptively addressed a concern she assumed Kristin might have, hoping to appear considerate before the news broke.

Kristin remained silent.

Justice delayed was justice denied, but late was better than never.

“Kris, my family is sending Adrienne abroad. It’s unlikely she’ll return to Silvergrove City,” Hertha continued, inching closer. “Kris, I hope you’ll let me be your sister. Here in Silvergrove City, I’ll look out for you.”

Kristin didn’t respond, finding Adrienne and the entire Haywood family disingenuous.

“Once I marry into the FitzGerald family, I’ll make sure Rhett and I take good care of you and Summer. You know Rhett may seem cold, but he’s very caring. We have our misunderstandings, but he cares about me, and I know it,” Hertha whispered with a shy smile. “Soon, we’ll all be one big family.”

“I have a family,” Kristin said firmly.

Hertha chuckled. “Kris, don’t be shy. It’s settled then. Work hard, and how about we hit the mall tomorrow? Aren’t you taking the day off?”

“I’m not taking a break,” Kristin shook her head.

“Rhett’s really riding his staff into the ground, huh? I’ll call in sick for him, and you just wait for the good news,” Hertha chirped cheerfully as she walked away.

Kristin stood rooted to the spot, her clenched fist gradually relaxing.

Hertha always spoke to her with the air of a matriarch from the FitzGerald family.

This situation left Kristin uneasy, but she knew she didn’t have many options.

The Haywood family had already made significant concessions. If Rhett continued to butt heads with Holcomb and refused the marriage alliance, then their position within FitzGerald Group could indeed become very precarious.

Downstairs from the office building.

Hertha, with a hint of triumph on her face, got into her car and took a call from Vincent. “I’ve done what you asked me to do. I’m only helping you this once.”

“Thanks a bunch,” Vincent replied with a chuckle.

He had instructed Hertha to plant a virus–laden USB drive in Rhett’s computer so that their hacker could break through his cybersecurity in record time.

“Kristin is the only one in Rhett’s office. If this gets out, I hope Rhett suspects her first,” Hertha said with a loaded tone.

“Of course,” Vincent laughed. “Everything is arranged.”

Hertha snorted and ended the call.

F

This time, by aiding Vincent, Rhett’s standing in the FitzGerald Group was bound to falter….

Rhett was no fool. With Vincent’s growing power, he’d need to secure his position.

Now was the time to agree to a marriage with Holcomb and play the devoted partner, which was the smartest move.

Otherwise, with Holcomb’s temperament, Rhett stood to lose more than he gained.

Hertha was determined to make Rhett realize that she was far beyond all this.