Chapter 225
When the Boss’ Lady Became His Sister-in-law
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Chapter 225
After a brief silence, Holcomb thought he had misheard, âWho?â
âThe Lewis family, Hanson,â his assistant quickly replied.
Holcombâs demeanor changed in an instant. He waved his hand, signaling the lawyer to leave, and gave Rhett a warning glance.
Rhett wasnât completely without his uses.
The Lewises were far more valuable than the Haywoods could ever be.
Originally, Holcomb had gone to great lengths to discuss a marriage alliance with Mrs. Lewis, but alas, the true Lewis heiress had yet to be found.
For this, Holcomb had even ordered a thorough investigation, hoping to ingratiate himself by helping the Lewises find their child.
Unfortunately, several years of searching had yielded nothing.
And now, the Lewises had come to them to discuss a marriage alliance?
The news that the Lewises had come to discuss a marriage alliance sent shockwaves through the boardroom. After all, the Lewis family was one of the chaebols.
Even though the FitzGerald Group had been developing steadily under Rhettâs leadership, who wouldnât want to boost it even further?
There were only two sons in the FitzGerald family. Vincent was already related to the Turners by marriage, so that left only Rhett.
Though Rhett had gone public with a romance, it wouldnât hinder a breakup and subsequent alliance with the Lewises.
âRhett, my boy, donât hold grudges with your dad. You have a bright future ahead of you.â
âThatâs right.â The sycophants started their flattery once more.
Rhett sat stiffly in his chair, his complexion visibly darkening. He stormed out of the meeting room abruptly.
âMr. FitzGerald?â York, thinking Rhett had arranged something in advance, beamed at him excitedly, âYou set it all up and didnât even tell me. Iâm sweating bullets here.â
âBeat it,â Rhettâs voice was deep and ominous.
Was this the âno need to worryâ Kristin was talking about?
Was she going to help him?
Was this the surprise Kristin had for him? Or was this some sort of jealous fit? She actually went to Hanson.
âMr. FitzGerald, where are you off to? The Lewises are here, and arenât you going to meet them?â York asked, puzzled.
âMeet my foot.â Rhett scowled, straightening his tie as he stepped into the elevator, leaving York standing outside the doors.
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Chapter 225
He just wanted to see kristin now.
Rhett knew Hanson all too well, and he wouldnât easily agree to Kristinâs request. She mustâve promised ham something in return.
Back in the boardroom
Nicola slumped into her chair, and once the board had filed out, she slammed her hand on the table, âA curveball from the Lewisesâ
Just when victory was within grasp, the Lewises had made their move.
âMom. Vincent began.
âShut it. This is your fault, tying yourself to that weakness. If you hadnât married that sickly girl, the Lewises would be knocking on your door.â Nicola was frantic, pacing back and forth, âNo, we cannot let Rhett get together with the Lewis heiress. If that happens, weâve lost for good. Weâll never be able to topple him.â
âMom, what are you so worried about? The Lewis heiress has been missing for years, who knows her marital statusâ Vincent scoffed, âI bet the Lewises just want that adopted daughter Patty to marry Rhett.â
âWhatâs wrong with Patty? She may be adopted, but sheâs Hansonâs darling. What matters is the backing she brings.â Nicola looked at Vincent as if he were hopeless.
âStill, isnât the true Lewis heiress a better match than Patty?â Vincent retorted.
Nicola paused suddenly, a smile creeping on her face, âYouâre right.â
âIf we find the real Lewis heiress before Rhett does, Mrs. Lewis will owe us a favor.â Nicola slammed her fist on the table, âVincent, I think Rubyâs too frail for you. Itâs time we find a way to break off your engagement with the Turners.â
âMom, what are you saying?â Vincent stared at Nicola, shocked, âYou were the one who pushed for my engagement to the Turner heiress. Now you want me to call it off?â
âAre you daft? Whatâs more important, the Turners or the Lewises? Donât you know?â Nicolaâs anger was palpable as she stared at Vincent, âYouâre my son, and youâll do as I say. I have the final word on this.â
With a thud of her hand on the table, Nicola strode out on her high heels.
She had to find the real Lewis heiress, and quickly.
In the chairmanâs office.
After Hanson left, the two had parted on amicable terms, so much so that Holcomb had a fatherly smile as he bid Hanson farewell, âIf only my Rhett were half as understanding as you, Iâd have peace of mind.â
âHolcomb, you flatter me. I greatly admire Rhett, which is why Iâd like my sister to marry him.â
âVery well, weâll agree to a oneâyear timeframe. Our families will work together to find her as soon as possible, Holcomb nodded, âSend my regards to your mother, tell her not to worry.â
The scene was set for a clash of titans, with the prize being more than just a union of families, but the power and influence that came with it.
When Hansonâs elevator doors slid shut, Holcombâs demeanor flipped in an instant, âWhereâs Rhett?â
âHe just left. Nobody could stop him,â the assistant whispered.
Holcomb snorted but seemed in a fairly good mood as he strode into his office.
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âChapter 225
He had a clear preference for the Lewis family over the Haywoods, but he still had to play peacemaker with the latter, after all, they had something on him.
âTell Rhett heâs been too hotâheaded lately, Give him a month off to sort himself out. I want his attitude and performance adjusted.â
In a token act of discipline, Holcomb handed Rhett his punishment.
On the drive home, Rhett called Kristin.
âHello?â Kristinâs voice carried a trace of anxiety,
âWhere are you?â Rhettâs voice was deep and stern.
âIâm at the daycare, picking up Summer and Liam,â Kristin stammered, afraid to lie.
âStay there. Iâm on my way,â Rhett ended the call abruptly,
At the daycare gate.
Kristin could tell that Rhett was angry.
Hanson must have already visited the FitzGerald Group, and York had messaged that the crisis was averted.
Relieved, Kristin stood waiting for Rhett, wondering why he was upset. Was it because she had taken things into her own hands?
âGarner, what brings you here?â
Barely ten minutes passed when Garner showed up first.
âRhett sent me,â Garner said with a gloomy face, hand on his forehead as if heâd just dodged a bullet, âHe said heâs got serious business with you tonight and asked me to pick up the kids. Just call me next time, and I donât mind picking them up.â
Kristin couldnât help but laugh, âGarner, why are your ears so red?â
Garner looked away, clearing his throat. âNever mind that.â
âGarner, youâve got lipstick on your face and a love bite on your neck,â Kristin observed honestly.
Garnerâs face flushed a bright red, his voice faltering. âThatâs nonsense. Mosquito bites.â
Kristin gave him a knowing look, âThose are some resilient mosquitoes, surviving in the dead of winter.â
Garner covered his forehead again, âRhettâs here. You should go.â
Kristin smiled at Garner but felt a twinge of anxiety.
What if things between Melissa and Garner went as far as Rhett had suggested?
âGarner, be happy,â Kristin waved at Garner before turning to leave.
Life was too short, and happiness was what mattered most.
Inside the car, Rhett received a document from Granger.
He glanced at it and his expression darkened.
Kristin and Garner, no blood relation.
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Chapter 225
Which meant that Garner and Kristin werenât siblings by blood.
So Madge had been lying.