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

exclaimed,

an eyebrow.

FitzGerald, you suspect Miss Hertha?” York whispered. “But she was just sitting there the whole time I went to fetch a glass of water.”

always–on, unsecured connection, it only takes a USB drive to

loss for words. “Should… should

have

no cameras in the

York shook his

together,” Rhett glanced at the clock. “The Haywood family should be holding a press conference right now. She’s sent me a ‘gift‘. Shouldn’t I return

down his spine as he sensed Rhett’s cold

what are you…”

stood up and, grabbing Granger, still eavesdropping, commanded, “Come with

warn Kristin. “See what happens when you cross Mr. FitzGerald? The Haywood family has

were sweaty. “What’s Mr. FitzGerald planning to do?”

twinge of excitement in his voice. “You asked me what Mr. FitzGerald looks like when he’s mad,

was just a bizarre warning about not dating

face so dark,” York continued

Kristin mused, wondering if it was just

who hacked

York advised, still buzzing with expectation to

did not disappoint.

214

09:06

“I

acknowledging Adrienne’s wrongdoing. Her speech was a work of art. While playing the victim, she

actions.

a picture of their lost child and several of Hertha’s past victims burst

suicide,” the parent cried out, holding up the image of their

school, leading the charge against anyone she

forward. “I thought I could forget the pain after all these years, but some

pulled aside her blouse to reveal a collarbone covered in scars

kneel and used my collarbone to stub out their cigarettes,

as she recounted her

the boy Adrienne fancied smiled at me, she had her cronies slash my

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