Chapter 182

Chapter 182

Rhett smoothly extricated his arm from Patty’s grasp and aidled up beside Kristin. Thought I’d bring m out for a bite to eat

Party paused, thinking stie’d misheard. “And who might you be?”

“I’m… I’m Mr. FitzGerald’s assistant, Kristin interjected quickly, cutting off Rhett’s words.

Did he just say, my girl?

Rhett frowned, casting a meaningful glance at Kristin as if to remind her not to forget her role.

It dawned on Kristin that her purpose was to ward off the advances of other women from Rhett.

But did she need to fend off Patty as well?

“Assistant?” Patty’s smile was charming, with a hint of familiarity in her expression. “Since when did Rhett start hiring female assistants?”

“I… I’m actually Mr. FitzGerald’s.. mistress!” Kristin blurted out in a fluster.

That would make Patty back off from Rhett, right? She thought.

Rhett took a deep breath, clearly irritated by Kristin. Mistress? So in Kristin’s eyes, he was now playing the role of a sugar daddy?

“Rhett…” Patty’s face was a mix of shock and amusement as she covered her mouth with her hand. “Turns out you’re not as immune to the charms of women as the rumors say. So, aside from me, there’s another girl who can get close to you?”

Her words carried a playful undertone as she squatted down to speak to Summer. “Aren’t you a cutie? Do you know who I am?”

Summer shook his head, hiding behind Kristín.

“I know you. You’re that girl from the billboards,” Milo declared with a hint of sass.

“Wow, this little guy knows me. Do you know what my relationship is with your uncle?” Patty asked with an insinuating smile.

“No idea,” Milo responded, shaking his head.

“How would you like it if I became your auntie?” Patty teased Milo, clearly also directing the question at

Rhett and Kristin.

Rhett’s brow furrowed, and before he could speak, Milo piped up, hands on his hips. “No way, I already have an auntie. She’s prettier than you and makes the best BBQ ribs in the world.”

Patty’s face registered a moment of embarrassment, but she didn’t mind the kid’s words. “Rhett, my brother just got back from abroad to visit me. How about joining us for dinner?”

The man sitting with Patty by the floor–to–ceiling windows stood up and approached.

The man was tall and imposing, and even with the light behind him, Kristin felt his overwhelming presence.

*Hanson Lewis,” Rhett said, taking Kristin’s hand to introduce her.

Hanson’s expression was stern as his gaze fell on Rhett holding Kristin’s hand, his eyes showing clear disapproval. “Mr. FitzGerald, it’s been a while. So you’re playing the sugar daddy game now, huh?”

His voice was low, laced with disdain for Kristin.

11:38

Was he mocking Rhett for stooping to the level of keeping a miet nervously withdrew her hand and looked down.

Her presence always seemed to cast a shadow over Rhett

Hanson’s name was known to all.

Silvergrove City’s Rhett, with the heritage of the wealthy Chinese–American lewis family.

Back home, Rhett was as prominent as James, but the Lewis family was an enterprise with a century.did Tegacy, far surpassing the influence and power of the FitzGerald and Bryce families.

And Hanson himself was a man of formidable ability.

Thankfully, Rhett’s strength was unmatched, and in just a few years, he had raised the FitzGerald Group to s level on par with the Lewis family, creating a legend in the business world,

Kristin didn’t know the relationship between Rhett and Hanson, but… she knew her existence could make others look down on Rhett.

“I heard the Lewis family hasn’t found their real heiress yet, Mr. Lewis. Seems you’ve got plenty of leisure time to sit around here dining,” Rhett jabbed, knowing Hanson’s weak spot and past wounds.

Years ago, Mrs. Lewis, Hanson’s mother and a rare female tycoon, came to Silvergrove City for business while eight months pregnant. During a meeting, her water broke, and she was rushed to the nearest hospital, where she gave birth to a daughter.

Mrs. Lewis had three sons; the daughter she bore should have been the jewel of the Lewis brothers, the absolute princess adored and cherished by the entire Lewis family.

Tragically, akin to the Turner family’s tale, Mrs. Lewis discovered three years after bringing the baby home that their blood types didn’t match. They realized the daughter they were raising was not their biological child.

The daughter they had raised was Patty, who wasn’t the real princess of the Lewis family but had enjoyed all their wealth and privilege.

The true Miss Lewis remained missing.

The nurse who had delivered the babies at the hospital had vanished, and despite the Lewis family’s extensive connections, they had never found the real Ms. Lewis.

Hanson, as the eldest of the Lewis family, had sworn never to marry until he found his sister. Now in his thirties, with his sister still missing, he had the audacity to question Rhett about having a mistress,

Hanson’s face darkened at the implied words.

Not just Hanson, but Patty, too, felt the sting of embarrassment, her cheeks flushing with awkwardness at having been raised by the Lewis family without any blood ties.

“Come on, Rhett,” Patty chuckled, trying to ease the tension. “You and my brother haven’t seen each other in ages. Don’t fight the moment you meet. You’re making me think you’re both fighting over me.”

A sly grin danced on Patty’s lips, her sense of timing impeccable.

Rhett reached out once more, taking Kristin’s wrist gently. “Talk like that, and my sweetheart might get the wrong idea.”

Kristin kept her gaze down, too nervous to look up.

“Sweetheart? Rhett, you’d better open your eyes wide. Don’t let your good name be tarnished by a woman’s deceit,” Hanson’s voice was a deep rumble. “If memory serves, isn’t this the same Kristin who swapped

2/3

11:38

lives with Ms Turner, fouled everyone for twen

served five

In an instant, half’s eyes turned lay, and the two powerful men seemed ready to ignite

Hanson angered “She’s pretty, I’ll give her that. Just an empty shell. Seems you’re not above it all after a

Mr Lewis… Kristin’s voice was hoarse as she looked up defiantly, biting her lip till it nearly bled. “Judging someone on hearsay, attacking a marts partner upon first meeting – you call Mr. FitzGerald common, so

hat does that make you? Vulgar, or simply ill–mannered?”

smirk curled the corner of Rhett’s mouth as he tightened his grip on Kristin’s hand.

He reveled in the feeling of Kristin standing up for him….

A touch of pride swelling in his chest.

Hanson was taken aback, not expecting Kristin to dare talk back. Was she spoiled by Rhett?

Narrowing his eyes, he scrutinized Kristin for a long moment.

For some reason… looking into Kristin’s eyes, Hanson felt an unexpected twinge in his chest.

Huh… she was indeed formidable.

A woman used to captivating men. He almost found himself interested in her.

With a cold laugh, Hanson spoke again. “It’s not terrible to judge someone by hearsay, but it’s worse to know them through the law. A convicted swindler who’s done time do I really need to understand more?”

Kristin bit down harder on her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.

–

“Hanson, you have no right to lecture my woman,” Rhett warned, his gaze fixed on Hanson. “As I recall, your own grandfather was framed by a rival and served time for financial crimes. So what? Your grandfather can be a victim of a setup, but she’s automatically guilty? Keep your mouth shut until you know the whole story.”

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