Chapter 162
At Rhett’s place.
Rhett powered down his phone the moment he stepped through the door, ignoring the frantic barrage of calls from Holcomb as if they were nothing more than a distant buzz.
“Mr. FitzGerald….” Kristin hesitated, biting her lip.
“Off the clock, Kristin.” Rhett said, glancing at his watch,
She looked down, gathering her courage. “Rhett… have you considered a fallback plan?”
“You got any bright ideas?” Rhett asked with a half–smile.
* Holcomb gets desperate and hands over the shares that rightly belong to you to Vincent” Kristin was trying to prepare him for the worst.
*The Fitzgerald Group is what it is because of me.” Rhett answered with unwavering confidence. If Holcomb doubted that, he was free to test the theory.
“As for a fallback plan…” Rhett paused, the silence stretching between them before he spoke again. *1 promised to keep you safe, and I won’t let you fall back into the mire.”
He’d keep the promises he made to Kristin, no matter what.
His rose would bloom again, and he had the means and the resolve to see it happen.
Kristin shook her head and wasn’t worried about herself. Seeing Rhett hold back, she knew he had his contingency plan. It just wasn’t the time to disclose it.
“Would you mind if I make some barbecued ribs for dinner?” she asked softly.
I’m not picky.” Rhett replied, setting his watch down and loosening his tie before heading to the study to check on Summer’s studies.
Kristin blinked in confusion. Not picky? York had spent the whole day explaining just how particular Mr. Fitzgerald could be with his food.
At the Fitzgerald Group.
Vincent stormed into his office, the air heavy with his displeasure.
“Mr. Fitzgerald,” Neal slipped into the office while it was quiet. “You wanted to see me?”
“You’ve seen the news about my mother?” Vincent asked, his tone an implicit threat.
“That’s not something you need to worry about. My father will handle it soon. You just need to focus on securing the vice president.” Vincent instructed him.
“Yes,” Neal nodded quickly, understanding the power play.
It was clear Nicola held something over Neal.
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11:09
Chapter 102
“Mr. Fitzgerald, when do you plan to make your move?” Neal inquired.
“Rhett thinks he’s untouchable, but he’s made too many enemies. Everyone is waiting for him to slip up.” Vincent leaned back against his desk. “The desert project is crucial. If Rhett’s plans leak before the base in the northwest gets approved…”
“Do you mean to hack Mr. Fitzgerald’s computer?” Neal took a deep breath, understanding the implications.
Hacking Rhett’s computer and stealing trade secrets was no problem.
“Mr. FitzGerald, it’s illegal to steal trade secrets.” Neal warned Vincent not to overdo it.
“That’s not your concern,” Vincent assured him, a hacker ace up his sleeve.
Stealing corporate secrets was just a matter of time.
Neal nodded. “The immediate concern is the vice president. I’ve got the support of the Project Division and Investment Division. Rhett can’t touch me.”
“Once you’re vice president and our alliances are in place, we’ll push Rhett out,” Vincent said coldly. “He thinks exposing my mother’s scandal will make me feel guilty? He’s only distancing himself further from Holcomb. Once I convince Holcomb to take back his shares, what’s Rhett then?”
“You’re right,” Neal agreed, eager to please. “I’ve always believed in you. If you were in Rhett’s position, you’d be just as good, if not better. It’s only because he’s held you back that you haven’t had the chance to shine.”
Vincent scoffed, “What’s mine will be reclaimed.”
That included the shares and Kristin.
After Neal left, a call from James came through.
Vincent, already on edge, answered with a heavy sigh.
“Nicola added sulfuric acid to the water to harm Kristin?” James‘ deep and questioning voice held a threat. “Does she have a death wish?”
“Mr. Bryce, this is a misunderstanding,” Vincent replied, his face darkening.
“A misunderstanding?” James laughed coldly. “Do you take me for a fool?”
“Vincent… tell Nicola to stop playing games. If she touches Kristin again, she’ll regret it,”
James warned.
Vincent massaged his temples. “Rhett took Kristin home, claiming she’s his girlfriend.”
“And that’s all you’ve got?” James was laced with suppressed anger.
“Kristin’s birth mother is about to be released,” Vincent said. “I know her weak spot.”
“Just don’t make me wait too long,” James pressed. He needed Vincent to drive Kristin into a
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11:09
corner again. When she sought James‘ help for the second time, she’d have no choice but to stay by his side.
A butterfly with broken wings couldn’t fly.
James was waiting for Kristin to come to him again, certain that success would follow as it had before.
Kristin had to be his.
Kristin had picked up some fruit, washed it meticulously, and brought it to Neal’s office. “Mr. Neal, I got these cherries from the market. They’re incredibly sweet.”
Neal’s smile was radiant as he stood up to take the fruit. “Kristin, you’re too kind. As the CEO’s assistant, you even fetch fruit for me, I’m quite spoiled.”
“Don’t mention it. If there’s anything you need, just let me know,” Kristin replied with a pleasing grin.
Earlier that day, Neal had casually added Kristin to the company’s group chat and subtly asked she’d be passing by the market to pick up some fruit for him. The sly fox was clearly testing her.
As Rhett’s personal assistant, Kristin’s behavior towards Neal was a reflection of Rhett’s attitude towards him. It was somewhat irregular for the CEO’s assistant to be running errands for a project manager like him.
But Kristin had agreed without hesitation and even seemed eager to please, buying the cherries without accepting any payment.
“These cherries must’ve cost a pretty penny,” Neal noted with a probing tone.
“Mr. Neal, you just enjoy them. When you become the executive vice president, just put in a good word for me with Mr. FitzGerald,” Kristin said, quickly dismissing the cost.
In truth, she was wincing at the thought of the money spent on the cherries. She had dropped
three hundred bucks on them.
After all, that’s a whole three hundred bucks!
“Kristin, what’s your paycheck like working under Mr. FitzGerald?” Neal inquired, his tone becoming a bit presumptuous as he edged closer to her, his intent clear as he began to make insinuating remarks. “With such a figure, you must spend a lot on maintenance. Does the salary cover all that?”
Kristin knew Neal was deliberately testing her. Only if she showed no resistance would he feel completely at ease to manipulate and exploit her at will.
*Obviously, it’s not quite enough,” Kristin sighed, feeling her palms sweat with discomfort. She felt nauseated by the encounter.
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