Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 910

Ivan asked, "You didn't know? Ryder's been on a roll lately with a slick pharmaceutical takeover that's won him a lot of fans on the board. His shares are now on par with Jared's, and he's pushing for a new election for chairman. He's been quietly winning people over-it's practically a coup. The shareholders' meeting for The Tim Group is just around the corner, and I'm genuinely worried for Jared." Mamie, lounging on the living room couch, seemed unfazed by the news.

With a dismissive wave, Mamie chimed in, "Jared's been at the helm of The Tim Group for years. He's too well-rooted to be toppled by some upstart. No need to worry. Jared's a shark in the business sea; he takes others down, not the other way around. I doubt the person who could best him has even been born yet."

Ivan, though, remained visibly troubled. "This isn't like before. Ryder's his nephew. If it were just a straight fight, I wouldn't be concerned. But I fear Jared might just step aside. Why else do you think Ryder has half of The Tim Group's shares? Plus, I saw Jared recently, and his condition was... worrisome."

Agnes' expression darkened at Ivan's words. He was right. The fear wasn't in the fight; it was that Jared might not fight at all.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Ivan hurried to answer it.

Jared stepped in behind Ivan, his presence filling the room.

Agnes stood on the steps, watching from a distance. She had been staying in the Capital for a while after taking Nocturne to Dr. Hanson's place.

During that time, she'd barely been in touch with Jared, it felt like ages since she last saw him.

Jared looked more haggard than Agnes remembered. His indifferent gaze met hers briefly, and both Mamie and Ivan sensed an unspoken tension between them.

Before dinner, Mamie dragged them to the living room under the pretense of showing off her new VR television set.

After a while, she excused herself to "help in the kitchen," leaving them alone in the living room.

Agnes knew they were trying to give her and Jared some space.

Jared sat cross-legged, engrossed in a video game, seemingly oblivious to the world.

Agnes could glimpse his profile from the corner of her eye-sharp as a chisel, an effortless aura of aloofness.

She found herself at a loss for words. Standing up, Agnes intended to help in the kitchen.

That's when Jared suddenly turned to her. "Is staying with me so unbearable to you?"

Agnes met his gaze calmly, replying, "It's not unbearable, just that there's nothing to say between us."

Jared fell silent for a moment before speaking up. "I know I was wrong not to tell you about the Berlin Thomas issue. If you think I helped him get off the hook, you're mistaken."

It was rare for Jared to explain himself. But as far as Agnes was concerned, whatever fire there had been was now ashes.

"I'm not accusing you unjustly, Jared," she said evenly. "Ask yourself, are your feelings for Valeria really just friendship? She quits Thomas Enterprises, and you immediately bring her into your fold." Jared was quick to defend himself. "It was strictly business. Valeria is talented, and, well, after the vineyard incident, I owed her a lot."

Agnes detested Jared's sense of debt, but she wasn't about to nitpick.

With a sarcastic laugh, Agnes retorted, "So, those countless nights of wine and intimate chats in the office after hours-that's all business too?"