Chapter 100
At the company Cafeteria.
It was noon, and no one called Kristin out for lunch.
She was still not familiar with the company.
Usually, the HR manager should’ve set someone up to show Kristin the ropes, but Lisa didn’t think Kristin would stick around long, so she decided to play hardball
“Huh? Why aren’t you out grabbing a bite?” A kind–hearted female employee popped the question from outside the door.
Kristin glanced at the clock and whispered, “Hi, where’s the cafeteria?”
The employee peered at her watch. “At this hour, you’re probably out of luck for food. Didn’t the HR staller give you the grand tour?”
Kristin shook her head.
“Let me show you around then.” The woman was about to take Kristin to the cafeteria when another employee deliberately pulled her aside.
“Why bother with her? Did you know she got in through the back door? I heard she’s just got a high school diploma and a rap sheet. Keep your distance. Rumor has it she’s a pilferer.”
The good–hearted employee turned around, shocked. How could she land a job at the FitzGerald Group with a high school diploma?
“Sorry, but something just came up that I need to handle right away. You might want to ask someone else for help,” the kind employee excused herself and bolted.
Kristin lowered her gaze to her fidgeting fingers, having foreseen this.
Walking down the hall, even the cleaning lady gave her the cold shoulder. Everyone steered clear of her, leaving a trail of whispers in her wake.
Kristin had a hunch. That was the welcome wagon, the FitzGerald style.
“Excuse me, could you tell me… where the cafeteria is? Kristin spotted the janitor near the restroom and asked tentatively.
The cleaning lady scrubbed the floor with gusto as if Kristin were invisible.
Kristin stepped back, bowed her head in slight defeat, and kept silent.
After wandering the company alone and finally finding the cafeteria, the staff had cleaned up. “You’re new here?” The cafeteria employee saw Kristin standing at the door and whispered.
Kristin nodded.
“Lunchtime is at 11:40 a.m., and it’s almost time to clock back in. Come earlier next time,” the
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Chapter 100
cafeteria employee advised.
Kristin nodded and walked away.
“If you’re hungry, go out the company, take a hundred–meter stroll down the alley. There’s a lunch spot there. Check it out,” he added.
Kristin thanked him and headed for the exit.
“That’s Kristin. Remember the real versus fake heiress case six years ago? It blew up the search engines, and she’s the one.”
“She’s the one who lived another girl’s life for over twenty years, a thief with a criminal record and only a high school diploma.”
“How she got the nerve to show up at the FitzGerald Group…”
Hearing these words, Kristin kept her head down.
They spoke as if she wasn’t there to hear.
“I heard she’s got her way with men. Not a single rich kid in Silvergrove City she hasn’t been with.”
Kristin’s steps froze, but she didn’t turn around. There was no point in clarifying.
When she tried to prove her innocence, she was already tainted.
“Word is York vouched for her. She wouldn’t have… with York, too, would she?”
Kristin hurried out, fingers trembling.
She was used to the gossip. The HR manager’s intimidation tactics were pretty bush–league. After buying a soda in the alley, she glanced back at the towering FitzGerald Group building. It was soaring high to a height many couldn’t reach in a lifetime.
“Kris, it’s Yara. Remember me?” came a call. It was Yara from the Crescendo Club’s reception.
Kristin remembered her. Yara was a kind soul.
“Yara, what’s up?” Kristin asked softly.
Her number was new. Only Harriet from the club knew it. Kristin had reached out to Harriet after the switch.
“Harriet had me call you. She’s in trouble. Can you come?” Yara sobbed.
Kristin’s breath caught her grip on the phone tightening. “What happened?”
“Harriet’s been caring for this regular, Jose. His wife came with goons. Harriet got beaten up. She was pregnant and didn’t know. There was a lot of blood… Even if she pulls through, her womb… will be done for.”
12.51
Yara’s voice trembled with tears.
“Harriet and Jose were innocent. She had a boyfriend, a manager at our club. It’s his child. But when she got beat up, he hid away.”
Kristin took a deep breath.
She knew about Harriet’s boyfriend. Even if Harriet stayed mum, their few days living together dued her in.
“Did you call the cops?” Kristin asked numbly, knowing it was futile.
“They’re too connected for us. Everyone at the club’s turned a blind eye,” Yara wept. “Kris, I’m at a loss. I can’t cover her medical bills. Could you ask Mr. Bryce for help? Maybe he could make a call for us. He will handle it easily.” Yara cried helplessly.
Which hospital??” Kristin’s voice shook
Should she ask. James for help? Kristin hesitated.
“Crescendo Central Hospital
“I see what I can do…” Kristin crouched down, feeling helpless.
What could she do?
It was her first day at FitzGerald. If she bailed, she might not make it through probation.
If she left right then, would Rhett be disappointed?
But if she didn’t go, what about Harriet?
Harriet had saved Kristin’s life. So Kristin had no other choice but to ask James for help.
James was lounging on the couch at Diamond Crest Hotel, eyeing Bill. “Kristin isn’t living with Garner and Summer?”
Rubbing his temples, James was getting antsy. “Can’t even track down one person?
“Mr. Bryce, Silvergrove City is Rhett’s turf, and if he doesn’t want us finding someone…” Bill let out a weary sigh.
Buzz. His phone rang.
James glanced at the caller ID, an unknown number. “Hello?”
“James…” It was Kristin on the other end.
“Kris? Where the heck are you?” James straightened up, really worried about Kristin.
“Could you… do me a favor?” Kristin’s voice was edgy..
“Where are you?” All James wanted to know was where Kristin was and if she was safe.
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Chapter 100
“Harriet’s at Crescendo Central Hospital. She’s in desperate need of cash. It’s a matter of life and death. Help me out, and I’ll pay you back,” Kristin’s voice was shaky.
James frowned and shot a look at Bill, motioning him to handle it. “Don’t sweat it. I’ve sent Bill to sort it out. Where are you? I’ll pick you up and return to Crescendo Town, okay?”
Kristin went quiet. “I… I’ve got a job and started today. I can’t leave right now. I’m off work at 5:30 in the afternoon. I’ll figure something out…”
“I’ll take care of Harriet, and I’ll wait for you till 5:30 to take you to see her,” James saw an opportunity to bring Kristin back to Crescendo Town.
“Okay…” Kristin agreed. “Thanks.”
After hanging up, James looked at Bill and asked, “What’s the deal with Hamer
Bill, who had just ended a call, was somewhat panicked. “Jose’s wife showed up at the club, got into a brawl with Harriet, and Harriet took a nasty fall down the stairs. She’s pregnant, bleeding badly.”
James‘ brow furrowed, hand massaging his forehead.
He had deliberately let Jose’s wife in on Harriet’s situation, figuring that Harriet would reach out to Kristin if she got into trouble, and that would mean Kristin would come to him for help.
He didn’t anticipate such a critical accident.
“Get on it, now!” James snapped, frustration boiling over as he kicked the table.
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