Chapter 55
Everyone in the room was instantly in shock.
Kristin turned out to be James‘ woman….
No wonder she turned down 8 million. Since she had borne James‘ love child, even a sum of several hundred million would have been easy to secure, let alone a mere 8 million.
“You should step out for a bit.” James told Kristin to leave.
Kristin stood there, dazed, looking at James. Was it really him that night?
She fled the room in panic and holed up in the bathroom for ages, splashing her face with cold.
water non–stop.
All these years, she was tormented by the memories of that night, like a nightmare, gnawing away at her soul.
During her five years in prison, she had that terrible dream almost every night, dreaming of hands groping her wildly, and then dragging her down to hell.
She hated herself for not staying sober that night or sinking with the drugged drinks.
What Kristin couldn’t come to terms with the most was that, she had given up resisting at the end. She was actually responding to him.
“Kris, you okay?” Yara asked quietly when Kristin returned with her hair all wet.
Kristin just shook her head.
“The HR department wants us to fill out our personal information, you should do it.”
Kristin took the form, glanced at it, and took a deep breath.
That survey was so detailed, it even asked if you were single.
In the name field, Kristin was about to write her name but thought better of it and wrote Kristin Collins instead.
The name “Kristin Turner” had followed her for over twenty years. For the first twenty, it was a badge of pride. But these last few years, it had become a label of disgrace.
The Turner family hated her but wouldn’t let her go. She had been kicked out by the Turner family, so keeping that surname was pointless.
After filling out the form, Kristin handed it back to Yara.
“It’s a really nice name.”
Kristin just smiled and said nothing.
She stayed at the front desk until 10 PM. Once the night shift person arrived, Kristin could leave.
11.20
Chapter 55
“Harriet has to entertain clients with drinks tonight, so she won’t be going back with you.”
Kristin nodded and planned to head home alone.
After changing her clothes, Kristin stepped outside, hesitated for a long time, but decided to wait and see when James would leave..
She needed to clear things up.
Sitting behind her designated parking spot, Kristin curled up her legs and zoned out.
She had escaped without money to buy a phone. Harriet mentioned an old phone, but she hadn’t had the chance to get a SIM card.
The chamber of commerce’s dinner was coming up soon. It would be dangerous to continue to stay here, but if not, she couldn’t be sheltered by Harriet anymore, especially since she had promised to help Harriet when the club was short–staffed.
“Mr. Bryce, everything has been taken care of at the club. There won’t be any mistakes,” the assistant said, following James and helping him open the car door.
Several club leaders followed, smiling and seeing James off to his car.
It was clear that they were intimidated by James‘ status.
Kristin hid behind the curb, nervously peeking out. With so many people around, she didn’t dare to show her face.
After James got into the car and glanced in the rearview mirror, he saw a fuzzy head buried in legs, huddled silently behind the car.
The assistant was about to drive off, but James spoke in a deep voice, “Get out.”
The assistant paused. “Mr. Bryce, aren’t we leaving?”
“I’ll drive myself back.” James got out of the car and gestured for the assistant to leave.
The managers also watched James, not understanding what was going on.
“Let them all go back,” James frowned, disliking such pomp and pageantry.
The managers exchanged glances and left with the assistant.
Once the parking lot was empty, James leaned against the car door and smoked.
Kristin hid for a while longer, then peered out to see James looking in her direction. Startled, she quickly hid again.
James was one of amusement, as if he was waiting to see what Kristin was up to.
Gathering her courage, Kristin stood up and walked over with her head down. “Mr. Bryce…”
“What is it?” James looked at Kristin with a meaningful gaze.
“Was it you… six years ago?” Kristin asked softly, head still lowered.
2/4
11:39
Chapter 55
James scrutinized Kristin who was someone he wouldn’t give a second glance in a crowd.
The woman who once caught his eye was the swan that shone brightly on stage, not this timid and dusty little ugly duckling.
Ruining someone was easy, which seemed to take only five years.
“Who do you hope it was?” James asked. He knew everything about Kristin.
Five years ago, he did want to take that swan–like Kristin home and keep her.
But back then, Kristin was too proud.
She wouldn’t bow her head, so he just had to wait and see her edges smoothed, her pride stripped away.
Kristin didn’t reply. She hoped that nothing had happened that night, but that wasn’t realistic.
“What will you do if I say it was me? Blackmail, extortion, or call the cops?” James asked meaningfully.
Kristin dropped her head even lower. “No…”
She hadn’t blackmailed or extorted money from Clarence and Vincent who had slandered her. But no one would believe her.
With reddened eyes, Kristin looked up at James, continuing, “I don’t want anything… If it was you, could you please do a paternity test with Summer…”
James looked into Kristin’s eyes, his brows furrowing.
This woman was still as ever pushing his limits.
“Summer is sick and needs his father for a medical examination,” Kristin quickly explained, worried James might misunderstand. “I’m not trying to use the child… to fight for anything. I promise.”
James crushed the cigarette butt in the trash can and opened the car door. “Get in.”
Kristin stood there, uneasy, not sure if James had agreed.
“What’s wrong?” At the sight of Kristin still standing there, James inquired.
“Hemolytic anemia,” Kristin said quietly.
James was silent for a long stretch before he finally spoke up. “And why should I lift a finger to help you?”
Kristin was momentarily stunned, biting her lip as if wrestling with an internal struggle. She’d do anything for her son.
Her ruined reputation was the least of her worries.
“Stick with me for three years, and I’ll take care of the kid’s medical issues,” James said, eyeing Kristin as if waiting to gauge her reaction.
3/4
11:39
Chapter 55
She just stood there, looking lost, as if she didn’t know what hit her.
Had it been Kristin six years ago, she would’ve shot down James‘ proposition without a second thought.
Back then, Kristin was all pride, as if she’d rather break her back than bow down to anyone.
But now, she was bending way too low.
“I… want to see a paternity test first,” Kristin wasn’t born yesterday. She had to make sure James was Summer’s biological dad.
James raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “Sure, I’m ready whenever you are.”
At his words, Kristin raced her heart.
James wasn’t the type to claim a son willy–nilly but was hardly the sentimental type, so the odds were high it was him that night.
“Get in, I’ll give you a ride back.”
Kristin shook her head. “No, that’s not necessary.”
“Afraid I’ll hurt you?” James looked at Kristin with a meaningful gaze.
Kristin didn’t respond.
“Leave a way to contact you, at least. I can’t be expected to hunt you down, can I?” James handed over his phone to her.
Kristin paused, head down, not moving.
She didn’t have a phone.
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