Chapter 36

Chapter 36

At the FitzGerald Group.

“Mr. FitzGerald, here’s the information I dug up on Kristin, the whole nine yards. Take a gander, it’s a hot mess” York handed over the investigation files to Rhett.

Rhett took a glance Kristin’s life seemed to have been a game of two halves. First, as Ms. Turner, she was in the spotlight, not just acing her studies and being a natural talent, but also racking up awards and honors like nobody’s business. She even nailed it as the top one in SAT in the city and got into Silvergrove University with flying colors.

Her love life was smooth sailing too. Kristin started dating Vincent in high school, and they were the perfect couple, with both families giving them the thumbs up.

But at her peak, her life took a nosedive. No, it wasn’t just a nosedive, but a plunge straight

into hell.

When the real heiress of the Turner family came back, Kristin, the fake, turned into a public enemy, falling from grace and into the abyss.

First, the Turner family gave Kristin the boot, then came the scandals that trashed her reputation, followed by the FitzGerald family breaking off the engagement, leaving her to be loathed by everyone.

Next, Kristin was pregnant, her reputation in tatters. Under all that pressure, she insisted on having the kid.

As soon as the baby was born, she was dragged to court by Clarence and Vincent.

In court, Kristin didn’t utter a word in her defense. No matter what the opposing lawyer threw at her, she copped to it.

Kristin ended up getting a five–year sentence for extortion.

Extortion? Rhett furrowed his brow. With Kristin’s timid nature, would she blackmail Vincent and the Turner family?

It was clear as day that Kristin got on everyone’s bad side and the Turner family and FitzGerald family conspired to throw her in the slammer.

“Can’t find anything on the kid’s dad?” Rhett asked, thumbing through the stack of papers.

“That’s just it. That’s why I’m telling you to steer clear of this hot potato. Think about it, would someone like Kristin resort to blackmail? Obviously, she’s taken the fall for someone. Why else would she keep silent about the kid’s dad this whole time? I bet he’s the mastermind behind the whole extortion scheme.” York whispered.

“Ease up on the detective novels,” Rhett tossed the file aside. “Keep digging. Is there anything you can’t find?”

“Mr. FitzGerald… there’s a little boy downstairs… the secretary popped in, asking tentatively.

“He says he’s your son but we’re not sure what’s up Seounty’s dealing with its

York was shocking and ducting out. Mr EntzGerald you’ve got a kid?

Rhett leaned back in his chat, giving York, a dark book

York quickly changed the subject, survival instincts kicking in “Kids these days are something else, but? Smart enough to show up here looking for daddy”

“Shall I have security take the little guy to the police station?” the secretary checked the time “Mr. FitzGerald, you’ve got that video call with the folks overseas in five minutes, you need to

prepare

Rhett nodded, standing up to head to the meeting room, but then turned back to ask, “How old’s the kid? What’s his name?”

“He’s five, goes by Summer” replied the secretary

Rhett arched an eyebrow. It was Kristin’s kid.

“Tell security to watch the kid, I’ll be right down.”

The secretary blinked in surprise. “And the meeting?”

“Push it back.”

Rhett walked out of the office with an air of indifference, striding quickly towards the

elevator.

York followed, still in shock. “Mr. FitzGerald, Kristin’s a real piece of work, ain’t she? Isn’t Summer just her son with a mysterious origin? She sure knows how to play hardball, sending a five–year–old to the office to latch onto you!”

To York, Kristin was practically a sly fox.

She’s such a crafty woman, not above even using her own child as a pawn in her game. Didn’t she worry about a five–year–old child getting into trouble? What if something actually happened to him?

But Rhett didn’t see it that way. If Kristin wasn’t sharp enough, he wouldn’t even give her the time of day.

“Smart women keep things simple,” Rhett remarked coolly. At least when it comes to dealing with what came next, there wouldn’t be too much of a hassle.

York nodded, getting it. Smart women knew what they wanted and once they got it, they wouldn’t cause much trouble later.

But a woman like Hertha was a real headache, always chasing love.

This world was brutally realistic without much room for love, especially not for a man like Rhett. He didn’t need love.

His world was all about weighing pros and cons and strategic planning.