Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 853

Agnes stood up with a casual shrug, "Forget about it. Since he's out for a bite, no need to haul him back. My bad for not giving him the heads-up." Leo interjected, "What about you, then?"

Agnes chuckled, "I'm good. I'll just grab a sandwich or something. I'll be heading out soon anyway, no big deal. No need to make a fuss over this."

Leo's expression was tinged with regret, as though Jared's absence was a personal oversight.

"Leo, go on with your business."

He nodded, a promise lining his words, "I'll make sure to inform the boss well in advance next time."

As Leo turned to leave, Agnes stopped him, "Leo, by 'vice president', you mean Valeria, right?"

"Yes," he confirmed.

"Do they dine together every day?"

Leo quickly clarified, "Don't get the wrong idea. The boss and the vice president are strategic allies. It's been a challenging time for the company. The Thomas Group's CEO has become the largest shareholder of the Tim Group, pushing hard for investments in Starling City and attempting hostile takeovers of pharma companies. The boardroom's in upheaval. The boss has been under a ton of stress, usually just has meals delivered to his office from the cafeteria. It's rare they eat out together, probably discussing confidential business matters."

Leo seemed almost desperate to avoid any misunderstandings.

Agnes smiled, light and breezy, "Leo, no need for such an explanation. It's just lunch; I won't read too much into it."

Upon hearing it, Leo seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Agnes picked up her boxed lunch, ready to leave.

After Agnes had left, Leo still felt something was amiss and dialed Jared's number.

Stepping out of the office, Agnes couldn't shake a sense of disappointment.

She hadn't walked far before bumping into Ryder. It was the first time she'd run into him at Tim Tower.

Agnes was initially surprised, but recalling Leo's words, she quickly associated Ryder with the majority shareholder of the Tim Group

Ryder had procured half of the Whitfield family's shares, now making him the predominant shareholder of the Tim Group.

Agnes blinked, greeting, "What a coincidence."

"Not really. I was waiting for you," Ryder stated.

"For what?"

"I saw you heading this way and wanted to talk."

Noticing the meal box in Agnes' hand, Ryder asked, "Have you eaten yet?"

Agnes made a face, "Not yet."

Out of the blue, Ryder said, "I haven't had lunch either."

Agnes frowned, "You know your stomach's weak. Why be so careless?"

The box Agnes carried contained a bowl of seafood chowder.

She offered the box, "Here, you eat it."

Ryder didn't refuse, "Let's eat together."

But their current location, a hallway frequented by secretarial staff, wasn't ideal for a meal.

Agnes wasn't keen on drawing attention.

That's when Ryder blurted out, "Come with me." Without waiting for a response, he started walking.

Agnes hesitated but followed, the lunchbox still in her hands.

Surprisingly, Ryder led her to the elevator and pressed for the top floor.

From there, they used the service stairs to reach Tim Tower's rooftop.

Agnes had been to Tim Tower countless times but never to its rooftop. It was a vast, open space. Yet, the rooftop was bare, not even a bench to place her lunchbox. Agnes questioned, "Why bring me up here? To sit on the concrete?"