Chapter 127

Chapter 127
Rhett's POV

I watch Uncle Darren's retreating figure, a slight smirk forming on my lips. Using my mother to threaten me into backing off? Clearly, he's preparing for a prolonged battle.

I return to my mother's room, where she sits by the window, methodically consuming the dessert she fought so hard to keep.

"Is it really that delicious?" I ask, crossing the room and snatching the box from her hands. I toss it directly into the trash. "You shouldn't eat anything he gives you. What if it's poisoned?"

Rather than throwing another tantrum, she stares at me blankly for a moment before returning to her bed. She clutches her small pillow, murmuring, "My little Rhett, don't cry... be a good boy..."

I lean against the desk, studying the woman who gave birth to me—this shell of a person trapped in her own fractured mind. "Don't go anywhere with Darren anymore, understand?"

She gives no indication of having heard me.

I laugh softly, bitterly. "Why bother? You don't understand anyway."

My phone vibrates in my pocket. Checking the screen, I feel my expression soften involuntarily.

"Rhett!" Sheryl's melodic voice comes through the line. "Are you at the office? I'm bringing something for you."

I confirm that I'll meet her there, then instruct the staff to take good care of my mother before heading to Hayes Enterprise.

Just as I pull into the underground parking garage, I spot Sheryl's green Ferrari entering. I walk over and open her door. "Missing me already? Looking for excuses to visit?"

Sheryl emerges with a smile. "So full of yourself," she quips, walking toward the executive elevator.

I follow, noticing the manila envelope in her hand. "So you really just came to deliver something?" I say with mock disappointment, taking the envelope from her.

As the elevator doors close, she turns to face me, gently tapping my nose. "Of course I missed you too."

I smile, leaning in to kiss the corner of her mouth. Just as I'm about to deepen the kiss, she gently pushes me away.

"Let's be serious for a moment," she says, her playful expression fading. "I need to ask you something."

I raise an eyebrow, feigning annoyance. "What could possibly be more important than kissing you?"

She points at the envelope I'd taken from her. "Is that information accurate?"

"You looked through it?" I ask.

"Yes." Her admission is straightforward.

The elevator reaches the top floor, and I step out. "Joel could've delivered this himself instead of involving you."

Inside my office, Sheryl closes the door firmly behind us. "So Darren is moving his assets?"

I lean down to lightly pinch her nose. "Clever girl."

"It's right there in black and white!" she says, clearly perplexed by my calm demeanor. "I read everything. He's been transferring significant portions of his wealth overseas. It seems he's been planning to emigrate for quite some time?"

Seeing her furrowed brow, I guide her to my chair and kneel before her. My thumb smooths the crease between her eyebrows. "Why so worried?"

She looks down at me, her eyes serious. "Is he planning to make a move against your company?"

Meeting her concerned gaze, I explain, "For now, he's only moving his personal assets. He hasn't reached for the corporate holdings yet."

"So when you told me to stay away from him, you already suspected something wasn't right?"

"Yes." I take her hand, enfolding it in mine. "This is why you need to trust me. Everything I ask you to do has purpose behind it."

"What's your plan?" she asks.

"Nothing dramatic. I'll find an opportunity to encourage his early retirement. His personal wealth is enough to keep him comfortable for several lifetimes. He can emigrate wherever he pleases."

"That's it?" She searches my eyes. "You're not hiding anything else from me, are you?"

I smile warmly. "You're too perceptive. How could I possibly keep secrets from you?"

Sheryl takes a deep breath, cupping my face in her hands. "Rhett, don't shut me out of your plans anymore. I may not be able to help much, but I deserve to know what's happening."

Her eyes bore into mine. "If—and I mean if—you lie to me again or keep me in the dark, I won't forgive you. Not this time."

The sincerity in her gaze is absolute, her eyes clear as crystal. I can almost see my reflection in their depths.

Maintaining our position, I place my hand behind her head and gently pull her down, our lips meeting in a kiss that tastes of promises. The fresh scent of her perfume mingles with my cologne, creating an intoxicating blend.

"Mr. Hayes, I've completed the task you assigned this morning..." The door opens abruptly, and Daniel Quinn stands frozen in the doorway, eyes wide. He swallows whatever else he was about to say and quickly backs out, closing the door.

I close my eyes, inhaling deeply to calm my irritation.

"Daniel! Have you forgotten how to knock?" I call out.

"Sir..." Daniel's voice comes through the door, sounding stressed. "You specifically told me to come directly to you..."

He's not wrong. This morning, I had instructed him to come straight to my office and, if I wasn't there, to leave the documents on my desk.

"And that's my fault?" My tone conveys my annoyance clearly.

Through the door, I hear him mumble, "So should I follow your instructions or not... this job is impossible."

Sheryl stifles a laugh, rising from my chair. "I should go. You have work to do."