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

now,” York exclaimed,

raised an

whispered. “But she was just sitting

need for suspicion. It was Hertha,” Rhett stated confidently. “In an always–on, unsecured connection, it only takes a USB drive to transmit a virus. In the time it took

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

you have

cameras in the

shook his head.

Hertha and Vincent are plotting 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

his spine

FitzGerald, what are you…”

grabbing Granger, still eavesdropping,

“See what happens when you cross Mr. FitzGerald? The Haywood family has messed with him

“What’s Mr. FitzGerald

“You asked me what Mr. FitzGerald looks like when he’s mad, right? Did you see his expression just now? Scary, isn’t it?”

reality, it wasn’t that frightening. It was just a bizarre warning about not dating too young.

never seen Mr. FitzGerald’s face so dark,” York continued

madder at Vincent,” Kristin mused, wondering if

who hacked Rhett’s computer, sparking

and wait for the news,” York advised, still buzzing with expectation to

not

214

09:06

“I

conference, Hertha took the stage on behalf of her parents, publicly acknowledging Adrienne’s wrongdoing. Her

actions.

was preparing a sympathetic narrative, a parent holding a picture of their lost child and several of Hertha’s past victims burst

my daughter’s life! 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

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

I could forget the pain after all these years, but

a collarbone covered

bullied me, led by her,” the woman sobbed, “made me kneel and used my collarbone to stub out their cigarettes, calling it

down her face as she recounted

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

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