Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 643

Agnes had grown accustomed to holding back her tears.

But the sight of the bowl of noodle soup in front of her, stirred something deep within her.

She crumbled.

Agnes let her tears flow freely, then she started to eat it.

They were her favorite, chicken noodle soup.

A taste she hadn't indulged in four years, yet hadn't changed a bit.

Agnes often joked that Jared was a chef masquerading as a CEO.

He was a natural talent, excelling in everything he did, even in the kitchen.

Agnes managed to finish the whole bowl of noodle soup.

Her stomach felt warm and oddly comforting, despite the pain that still lingered in her heart. The most innocent in all of this was Jared, and Agnes knew she had hurt him deeply.

His transformation into a spiteful, womanizing man was likely the result of his broken heart.

But life had a cruel sense of humor.

Neither of them was at fault; they just couldn't be together.

That was the case four years ago, and it still held true.

Agnes couldn't comprehend why Jared had made her this bowl of soup.

It left her feeling more vulnerable than ever.

Her once impenetrable armor felt shattered, but she couldn't afford to show any weakness.

The next day was Christmas.

In a fitting turn of events, the city saw its first snowfall of the year.

From his office in the Tim Tower, Jared looked out at the snow-covered city.

Despite the cold weather, the Christmas spirit was alive and well.

Not too far from the company stood the massive Pearl Tower, adorned with a gigantic Christmas tree, its branches laden with various gift boxes. Children gathered around the tree, singing and dancing, their joyous laughter echoing in the streets.

Jared could almost hear their cheerful voices.

His gaze then fell on Nocturne, who was sleeping on the sofa.

Only today had Jared learned that the boy's actual name was Nocturne Pritchard.

A poetic name, reminiscent of a midsummer night.

But the boy spent most of his nights in deep slumber, rarely getting the chance to gaze at the starry sky.

Jared walked over and sat next to him, gently running his fingers through the boy's soft hair.

Nocturne was his son, Jared's son.

Just looking at the boy's face filled Jared's heart with warmth.

He was such a handsome boy, Jared thought he was the most beautiful child in the world.

He finally understood Brayden's unfounded pride and boasting whenever he spoke of his own son.

Every father, it seemed, felt the same way.

His son was brilliant, handsome, and gifted, near perfect.

If only he didn't have to sleep so much.

If only he could enjoy the simple pleasures that other children his age did.

Jared vowed to do whatever it took to cure Nocturne of his affliction.

After a while, Leo walked in.

Jared turned to him and asked, "Did you replace out?"

Leo began, "Sir, we did. The man's name is Naylor. He's a top race car driver, the star of the international racing club circuit. They call him the 'Car Maestro'. But there's something mysterious about his background. His records show he was an orphan, living in the Santa Maria Welfare run by the Thomas Group until he was six. After that, he was adopted and his records are a blank slate. We can't trace his life. However...rumors suggest he has a dubious background, possibly connected to Reggie Albert."