Chapter 127
Ruby stared in disbelief as Clarence demanded she apologize to Kristin.
“Clarence…” her voice was hoarse with shock.
“You might have a beef with Kristin, but spreading nasty rumors about her private life is out of line. Apologize and let’s go home,” Clarence insisted.
Behind Rhett, Kristin’s gaze was locked on him, still reeling from the words he’d spoken.
It had been six years from the scandal of the fake heiress.
In all that time, nobody had ever stood up for her, speaking objectively on her behalf.
She was tongue–tied, rendered speechless by the sting of humiliation, and she lacked the words to explain herself, unable to craft a response that would satisfy anyone..
But each word Rhett uttered seemed to strike a chord, leaving her both shocked and moved.
It was as if he had voiced all her grievances with more conviction than she ever could.
Tears welled up in Kristin’s eyes with an urge to cry overcoming her.
In the past, it was the injustice that brought her to tears, but now it was the relief of someone else speaking up for her.
“Why should I apologize to her? Her personal life is a mess, did I lie? Six years ago at the Diamond Crest Hotel, she had a strange man in her room. It was public knowledge, even the media covered it.” Ruby shouted uncontrollably.
*Slap!” Clarence shot out his hand, delivering a stinging slap to Ruby’s cheek.
After the slap, even Clarence was stunned. He had actually… struck Ruby. The person he should be hitting was himself.
His hand trembled as he fought back tears, his voice low and fierce. “Apologize, then come home with me!”
Ruby gazed at Clarence in shock, her hand covering her reddened cheek.
Clearly, she too was taken aback by Clarence’s furious and threatening look.
Ruby knew Clarence was well aware of the truth behind the incident six years ago. She was the one who had orchestrated the humiliation of Kristin at the hotel, bringing Vincent and the press to catch her in a compromising situation.
Clarence knew it all…
Ruby suddenly felt a wave of fear.
She had been spoiled by Clarence for years, always getting her way, almost forgetting that he knew every detail of her past misdeeds.
11:59 M
Chapter 127
“Clarence…” Ruby pleaded, begging him not to expose her, not to let Vincent find out.
“What the hell, Clarence!” Vincent was equally shaken, witnessing Clarence strike Ruby.
“I apologize… I’m sorry,” Ruby said, her voice feigning humility as she turned to Kristin. “Kristin I’m sorry for gossiping about your private life without knowing the whole story.”
Rhett watched Kristin with a complex expression.
Was the incident at the Diamond Crest Hotel six years ago a coincidence?
He’d checked that Kristin was indeed at the Diamond Crest Hotel that day, but not on the same
floor as him.
The odds were practically zero. Besides, James was Summer’s biological father.
Probably he was overthinking.
“Ruby, I don’t accept your apology.” Kristin finally broke her silence, her voice hoarse.
She would not accept Ruby’s insincere apology. “What goes around comes around. I did nothing wrong.”
“Kristin!” Ruby was agitated.
But Clarence seemed to exude a chilling aura, and Ruby had no choice but to back down for now. “Kristin, for accusing you of being involved with Tam and others without getting the facts straight, I was wrong. I apologize.”
Kristin remained silent.
“Rhett, I’m sorry for the disruption. It’s my fault, I apologize…” Ruby clenched her fists tightly.
Her words were apologetic, but her heart seethed with resentment towards Kristin.
“If you’ve done wrong, you’ve got to pay the price. A flimsy sorry doesn’t cut it.” Rhett said. looking at Vincent. “Ruby is your responsibility. She messed up, so you make it right. Head out to supervise the desert project personally until it’s done. I don’t want to see you until then.” Rhett was effectively banishing Vincent to endure three months of scorching sun and sand!
By sending Vincent away, Ruby would be forced to behave.
Without Vincent, Ruby wouldn’t dare to step foot outside her house.
Panic–stricken, Ruby turned to Vincent, her emotions running high. “Vincent, call Holcomb! Why should he send you to such a godforsaken place?”
“Mr. FitzGerald is the CEO, and you report directly to him, Vincent. The desert project is a major focus for the company this year. How did it suddenly become a godforsaken place?” York feigned confusion.
Vincent, his face dark with anger, didn’t look at Ruby. It was clear he understood that Ruby had crossed a line this time.
1159
Chapter 127
Pulling Ruby by the wrist, Vincent left with his head down.
Today was a total embarrassment.
“Alright, break it up, everyone. Back to work.” York dispersed the onlookers.
“Mr. FitzGerald, it’s time to head to the airport.”
Rhett nodded and gestured for York to get the car. He then took Kristin by the wrist and led her into the office.
As the door closed behind them, Kristin couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
“If someone’s giving you a hard time, hit them back twice as hard. When they try to drag your name through the dirt, don’t just aim to clear it. Make them back up their accusations. If they can’t, that’s slander and gives you the higher ground,” Rhett said, leaning against the wall, his voice deep and steady.
Kristin felt cornered, her head bowed as she fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her voice barely a whisper. “I… I don’t have a messy personal life…”
Kristin was afraid of being misunderstood by Rhett.
In the past, she didn’t care about others‘ misconceptions, as there was no one whose opinion mattered enough for her to bother explaining herself.
But now, she cared about what Rhett thought.
“So next time, what’s your plan to shut her up?” Rhett’s tone was sharp, almost accusatory.
Kristen glanced at Rhett with fear, her eyes darting to the floor like a kid put on the spot by a stern teacher, her voice quivering with panic. “Let let her prove what she’s saying is true. If there’s no proof, we we should call the cops.”
Rhett chuckled. “The police have better things to do than chase wild geese, don’t you think?”
“But then…” Kristen stammered, her nerves frayed. What should she do?
“Actions speak louder than words,” Rhett said, gesturing for Kristen to grab her notebook and follow him downstairs.
Kristen was taken aback, trailing behind Rhett like a lost puppy. “But Mr. FitzGerald, what if what if we can’t handle it?”
“I’m with you, so what’s there to fear?” Rhett’s words were a quiet comfort.
Kristen spoke up tentatively. “And what if you’re not around?”
Rhett paused, turning to look at her. “If I’m not there, you can call me. We’ll deal with it when I arrive.”
Kristen sniffled, a small laugh escaping her as she hurried to catch up with Rhett.
Having someone to back her up felt amazing.
12:00
Chapter 127
She just wondered how long she could count on Rhett to be her rock.
A sudden and unexplained bout of anxiety clenched her chest, and Kristen bowed her head.
She couldn’t become too dependent on Rhett.
After all, a fish out of water would eventually die of thirst.
At the airport.
Hertha had arrived early, waiting with Rhett’s assistant for their arrival.
“What happened with Ruby causing a scene at the office? How was it resolved for Kristen?” Hertha inquired.
“Mr. FitzGerald stepped in to sort it out,” Randall promptly replied.
Hertha turned sour, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at Randall.
Rhett was getting involved in Ruby and Kristen’s mess too? What were his feelings for Kristen?
She couldn’t let Rhett and Kristen continue whatever was brewing between them. She had to marry Rhett quickly.
“Make sure everything goes off without a hitch with that hotel job I handed off to you, Randall,” Hertha stated, with clear intent.
Randall went pale, his nod tense. “Yes…”
Hertha was planning to spike Rhett’s drink, and then have a photographer snap scandalous photos of her and Rhett together in a hotel room to force his hand.
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