Chapter 124
“Kristin, get out here now! Are you for real, Kristin? How can you even show your face at FitzGerald Group? What right do you have to be here? Get out!”
Ruby’s voice echoed through the corridors, loud and abrasive, her privilege as Vincent’s fiancée acting like a shield against any attempt to silence her. The executives and security staff, knowing well enough not to cross her, kept their distance.
Everyone at FitzGerald Group was well aware of Ruby’s frail health, a ticking time. bomb no one dared to provoke. If she were to faint from a confrontation, nobody wanted to be held accountable for that kind of drama.
Inside her office, Kristin sat on the edge of her seat, her fingers interlocked tightly, betraying her anxiety.
She glanced up at Rhett several times, but he seemed completely oblivious to the commotion, engrossed in his work.
Yet it was clear Ruby wouldn’t stop until she saw Kristin. NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
“Mr. FitzGerald… Ruby is disrupting your work. I should go…” Kristin began, her voice tinged with fear. She was worried Rhett might see her as a constant source of trouble.
“York can handle it,” Rhett said without looking up, gesturing for Kristin to come over. “Come here.”
“Oh.” Kristin quickly rose and moved to Rhett’s side.
“Here’s a list from Lisa. Deal with this person, Neal.” Rhett circled a name on a paper. He was the director of the Investment Division at FitzGerald Group.
Neal, a 48–year–old, was one of Holcomb’s most trusted men. Despite Holcomb no longer being involved in the day–to–day, his influence still loomed large over the
company.
If Rhett wanted to sideline Holcomb, he needed to replace his loyalists. With Neal being under his direct jurisdiction in the Investment Division, he was a significant obstacle.
“Lisa’s list? That means Neal is one of Nicola’s, which complicates things.” Kristin pondered, holding the list. “He’s been with the company for ages. I’ve looked into the heads of departments. Neal’s a charmer, well–liked around here. It’s not easy to find
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any dirt on him.”
“Is it too tough?” Rhett leaned back in his chair, wondering if he’d given Kristin too big a task for starters.
Kristin was nervous but also felt a sense of elation. Rhett was entrusting her with a major player right off the bat, which meant he had faith in her abilities. “Not at all. Just need some time.”
Rhett observed her for a moment, then smiled. “You stutter less when you’re focused, huh?”
Kristin flushed with embarrassment at his teasing. “May…maybe.”
“Got any ideas? Need my help with anything?” Rhett was curious to hear her plan.
“I need to dig into his personal life first and do some investigating.” Kristin admitted, hoping Rhett could assist since she had no means to hire a private investigator.
“Here’s everything we have on him.” Rhett handed over Neal’s dossier.
Kristin looked at Rhett, surprised. He had been planning to move against Neal for quite some time.
“York gathered this, but he’s not equipped to handle it from here,” Rhett said, not to belittle York, but acknowledging his limitations to merely uncovering Neal’s personal activities.
“Each to their strength. York has his talents. We need to work together to finish the job,” Kristin said nervously, taking the dossier back to her desk to study it.
Rhett watched her, pensively twirling a pen in his hand. He had indeed found a gem.
“At 2:30 PM sharp, we leave for the airport. Got everything you need for the trip?” Rhett asked, concerned Kristin might not be ready for her first business trip.
“Mr. FitzGerald, everything is prepared. Your suit has been sent ahead to the hotel. They’ll press it there. The ties and watches I picked out have options, in case you want to switch,” Kristin reported, standing up with the eagerness of a student presenting homework.
Checking the time, she continued, “The gift for Eddie has also been shipped. You can head straight to the meeting once you arrive.”
“Mr. FitzGerald…” York interrupted, stepping inside after taking a deep breath. “Ms. Vincent’s fiancée is causing a scene outside.”
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Rhett ignored York, more interested in whether Kristin had prepared her essentials. “What gift did you get for Eddie?”
“Fresh king crab…” Kristin had researched Eddie’s preferences thoroughly.
Rhett dropped his pen onto the desk with a clatter. “Excuse me?”
King crab? Did Eddie look like he was short on king crab?
“You got Eddie king crab?” York was astonished. “Look, you might think it’s a delicacy, but let me handle this. There’s still time.”
York sounded disappointed, having expected something impressive from Kristin.
Rhett just smiled, saying nothing.
Kristin wanted to explain, but she couldn’t find the words.
“Mr. FitzGerald, Ruby is having a meltdown and no one dares approach her.” York added, looking helplessly at Rhett.
“I’ll… I’ll take care of it,” Kristin said, guiltily making her way outside. She couldn’t fathom why Ruby had such a vendetta against her, causing such turmoil at the
company.
Rhett gave York a sharp look and followed Kristin out.
“Kristin, you’ve already stolen twenty years of my life. What more do you want? Will you never let me be? What will it take for you to leave FitzGerald Group and stay away from my boyfriend?” Ruby yelled, her emotions running high as Kristin appeared.
Kristin stood there, lost and bewildered, while onlookers whispered among
themselves.
Ever since Kristin had joined the company, it had never been short of drama.
“Ruby!” Clarence and Vincent came rushing over, desperately trying to calm her down. “Ruby, stop this madness. Let’s go home. I’ll explain everything, okay?”
Vincent wrapped his arms around Ruby, whispering words of comfort. “Don’t get worked up. I’ll explain everything once we get back.”
Ruby was fiery as she stared at Kristin. “Do I need to get on my knees and beg you? For twenty years, you’ve lived in my house, stolen my identity and reaped the benefits of the best education and the best life. But me? Do you have any clue what kind of hell I’ve been through? Do you even know what Garner did to me?”
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Tears streaming down her face, Ruby shouted out her years of anguish, accusing Kristin of every imaginable sin.
“You’ve stolen my life and my boyfriend. How much more of me do you want to destroy?”
Kristin stood there silently, letting Ruby vent her fury.
“Vinny, what does Kristin want from me, huh? Does she want me dead?” Ruby cried uncontrollably, turning to jump out of the window.
Clarence quickly grabbed Ruby, holding her back, and shot Vincent an angry look. “Do something!”
Looking visibly annoyed, Vincent rubbed his temples. After a moment, he turned to Kristin. “Apologize to Ruby. Get her to forgive you.
Kristin didn’t say a word and just stared at Vincent.
Vincent looked away, exasperated. “You owe her more than you can ever repay. If someone has to die, it should be you. Apologize to her.”
“Are you serious?” Rhett leaned against the door frame, lazily adjusting his tie.
What a complete idiot Vincent is, he thought.