Chapter 174

Rhett sat broodingly in front of his computer, his deep voice cutting through the silence as he gestured toward Kristin’s desk. “Get to work.”

Kristin’s eye rims reddened, uncertainty clouding her thoughts as she wondered if Rhett’s trust in her had faltered.

After a long pause, Rhett’s voice dropped to a stern whisper. “No calf love!”

Kristin turned to gaze at Rhett and responded in confusion, “Okay.”

She was no child anymore. Was there any point in imposing such restrictions at the time?

As Kristin moved to her work desk, Rhett covertly downloaded the encrypted files from Vincent’s computer onto his desktop, then swiftly transferred them to his phone before erasing all traces.

“Mr. FitzGerald, shouldn’t we inspect those closest to us?” Kristin squirmed uncomfortably, eager to clear her name and equally fearful of Rhett’s suspicion. “In cases like this, it’s usually a virus that compromises the computer.”

Rhett leaned back in his chair, rapping his knuckles on the desk. “York.”

Outside, York, who had been eavesdropping, burst into the room in a panic. “Mr. FitzGerald! Right here.”

“Who entered my office after I left yesterday afternoon?” Rhett inquired.

He diligently checked his computer daily except for yesterday, in the tumult over a paternity test, had he left in haste without shutting it down.

But York would normally power down his computer before leaving for the day.

That meant someone had tampered with his computer between Rhett’s departure and York’s end–of–day routine.

“No one, sir. Just me and Kristin,” York replied anxiously. “It wasn’t Kristin, I swear

Kristin was visibly nervous, her gaze lowered and her eyes welling up again.

Rhett massaged his temples. “You’re heading to the SandStone Project site tomorrow

Unsure of where he had misspoken and risked Rhett’s ire, York boldly defended Kristin. “Mr. FitzGerald, you can’t suspect Kristin. I don’t think she’s involved?

Rhett was infuriated by York

Did York think he was being noble, trying to score points with Kristin?

Rhett felt all the men around Kristin were predatory, not a single one trustworthy. He had to keep a close eye on them.

Chapter

I remember now,” York exclaimed, slapping his forehead. “Miss Hertha was here!”

an eyebrow.

whispered. “But she was just sitting

an always–on, unsecured connection, it only takes a USB drive to transmit a virus. In the time it took you to fetch water, someone could’ve

stammered, at a loss for words. “Should… should we

you have evidence?” Rhett countered.

cameras in the

York shook

Haywood family

gasped, a chill running down his spine as he sensed Rhett’s cold determination.

what are you…”

still eavesdropping, commanded, “Come with me.”

warn Kristin. “See what happens when you cross Mr. FitzGerald? The Haywood family has messed with him more than once.

“What’s Mr.

me what

reality, it wasn’t that frightening. It was just a bizarre warning

face so dark,” York continued

I feel Mr. FitzGerald is madder at Vincent,” Kristin mused,

hacked Rhett’s computer, sparking his fury.

still buzzing

did not disappoint.

214

09:06

“I

press conference, Hertha took the stage on behalf of her parents, publicly acknowledging Adrienne’s wrongdoing. Her speech was a work of art. While playing the victim, she significantly downplayed the heinousness of Adrienne’s

actions.

the media was preparing a sympathetic narrative, a parent holding a picture of their lost child and several

It’s because of Adrienne. She bullied with impunity, using her family’s influence to drive my daughter to suicide,” the parent cried out, holding up the image of their daughter and releasing recordings of the Haywood parents attempting to settle the matter privately.

queen bee at school, leading the charge against anyone she disliked. Whoever she scorned, she

could forget the pain after all these years, but

aside her blouse to reveal a collarbone covered in

her,” the woman sobbed, “made me kneel and used my collarbone to stub out their cigarettes, calling it the best ashtray they

as she recounted her ordeal.

forward. “Just because… Just because the boy Adrienne fancied smiled at me, she had

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