When the Boss’ Lady Became His Sister-in-law

James looked like he had just chewed on a lemon, his gaze snapping back to Adrienne. “Do you seriously think I would be dumb enough to play daddy to some other man’s brat?”

Adrienne flinched at the venom in James‘ voice, her fingers nervously entwined as she took a step back. “What if… what if it was Kristin pulling the strings on purpose?

“If she was that clever, would she be at your mercy?” James was icy cold. “The Haywood family better keep your daughter under wraps unless you want her to continue making a spectacle of herself. Adrienne hasn’t even married into the Bryce family and dares to lay a finger on my son. If she became part of the family, who knows what other foolishness Adrienne could get up to?”

James cursed Adrienne’s stupidity under his breath.

“James.” Abigail trembled her voice slightly.

“If Adrienne does anything else to harm Kristin or the child, I will call off the wedding myself,” James said, his voice a deep rumble.

Abigail widened her eyes in shock as she glanced back at Richter, who was clearly struggling to maintain his composure. With a cold snort, he stormed off without another word.

“Honey…” Abigail called out anxiously, hurrying after him.

Holcomb, seeing that Rhett was steadfast in his decision, feared he might burst a blood vessel in frustration and followed them out.

This clash could wait until the family dinner.

Rhett was too hot–headed right now, unable to see the situation clearly. Once he cooled down, he’d understand he needed to toe the line.

In the treatment room.

Hertha was brimming with tears as she looked pitifully at Rhett and begged “Rhett please. for my sake, spare Adrienne and the Haywood family just this once, okay? We don’t want to tear each other apart or have a total fallout…”

Her plea was a veiled warning to Rhett that the Haywood family held some leverage over him as well.

That incident from six years ago could wreak havoc if it hit the media. If Rhett refused to marry her, it would be his scandal.

With this dirt, Rhett’s standing on the company board would become even more precarious.

Once bitten by a viper, one could never hope to turn the tables.

“Your sake?” Rhett scoffed. “I haven’t even begun to settle the score with you for your scheming.”

Hertha gasped, a chill running down her spine.

Was Rhett playing for keeps?

“Rhett, that’s not what I mean, please don’t be like this,” Hertha said, welling up again. “Let’s think about this, okay? We’ll give you a satisfactory response.”

“Hertha— Adrienne cried out in fear, realizing Rhett was serious about taking a stand for Kristin against the Haywood family.

“Shut up,” Hertha snapped, her anxious gaze flicking back to Kristin. “Kris, on behalf of Adrienne, I apologize for all the wrongs she’s done to you. What do you want me to do? Should I get on my knees for you?”

With that, Hertha moved to kneel before Kristin.

“Hertha! Don’t do this. Why should she…” Adrienne tried to stop Hertha in a panic.

But Hertha was already on her knees before Kristin.

Kristin reddened her eyes, recognizing the emotional blackmail. She took a deep breath, her voice trembling. “It’s not about you… Even if you kneel, it can’t make up for the hurt Adrienne caused me… I knelt once, begging her, but did she ever let me go?”

Adrienne glared at Kristin with malice. “Are you dredging up the past now? After all these years, you still can’t let go!”

“Incurable,” Rhett said, cradling Summer and taking Kristin’s wrist, stepping around Hertha to leave. “Tell your parents they have three days. I don’t want to have to show my hand.”

Adrienne was beyond redemption, suffocating in her spitefulness.

Rhett couldn’t bear to let Kristin face them any longer.

Every look at Adrienne was a fresh wound to Kristin.

“Rhett!” James furrowed his brow, blocking Rhett and Kristin’s path. “The child is mine.”

Rhett deepened his frown, clearly not intending to let go.

“Kristin, are you sure?” James‘ eyes bore into Kristin threateningly.

Summer’s treatment, the costs, and the connections for specialists all hinged on James.

Kristin looked nervously at Rhett, then lowered her head.

“Using the child as a bargaining chip? That alone proves you’re not fit to be his father,” Rhett cautioned James.

“Rhett, my family affairs are not your concern! Summer is my son, that’s an indisputable fact. Give him to me.” James stood firm against Rhett.

“As you two bicker over him, did you ever consider asking the child what he wants?” Connor, seated to the side, checked the time. “You’ve occupied the public space long enough. Time to

11:18

90. 90.

Rhett glanced at Summer and led him out of the hospital.

“Summer… who do you want to go with?” Kristin asked softly.

Connor was right. They needed to consider Summer’s wishes.

Summer looked at James and then back at Rhett.

Caught between his biological father and the Dad he cherished, how was he supposed to make a choice?

“Daddy, will you marry my mommy?” Summer asked James.

James was taken aback, unable to answer Summer directly. He had told Kristin countless times that he could give her anything but a title.

“Summer, the adult world is complicated. You’ll understand when you’re older,” James said gently, not wanting to lie to Summer.

“The grown–up world is complicated, and I just don’t get it.” Summer said with a hint of dejection in his voice. “But Dad, every kid at school has a mom and a dad who are married. If you can’t marry Mom, then our family isn’t complete.”

James paused, bobbing his Adam’s apple as he swallowed. Words seemed to catch in his throat.

“Dad, I’m just a kid, but even I know grown–ups are supposed to take responsibility. So why can’t you marry Mom?” Summer pressed, his voice laced with a desperate wish for his dad to marry his mom and keep them safe.

James took a deep breath and spoke softly. “Summer, your mom and I can’t get married right now. Because I have some things to sort out first. But I promise you. I’ll give a home, okay?”

Summer shook his head, “No, that’s not okay.”

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At the sight of Summer’s eyes brimming with tears, James clenched his fingers tighter.

“Summer, come to Mommy,” Kristin reached out, taking Summer into her

arms and hugging him tightly. “I’m sorry, Summer. I can’t give you the complete family you deserve, but… I will always love you and I’ll do everything in my power to protect you, even if that means we don’t have a Dad.”

Summer turned to look at Rhett. “Daddy…” he called out hesitantly, his voice lacking confidence.

With his dad reluctant to marry his mom, how could Summer expect Rhett to step into those shoes? ‘Daddy… will you marry my mom?”

If Rhett wouldn’t marry his mom, then Summer couldn’t call him ‘Daddy‘ anymore.

In a few days, it would be Parents‘ Day at the kindergarten.

It was a monthly event where both moms and dads were expected to come together.

All the other kids‘ parents managed to make time for these special days, but not Summer’s. He would sit in the corner, watching the other kids play games with their families.

Summer had only a mom, and no dad to call his own.