Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Chapter 965

The blow from Ryder was anything but gentle, and Jared erupted into a fit of violent coughs.

Agnes snapped to attention in an instant. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Almost on reflex, she bellowed at Ryder, "What the hell are you doing?"

Before she could rush over to Jared's side, someone else had already made a move.

Valeria was already steadying Jared, "Jared, are you alright?"

Agnes halted in her tracks. She didn’t notice that Valeria had come along with Ryder.

She was surprised since neither of them had been invited to Mamie's wedding.

After a few more coughs, Jared managed to straighten up, but he just sneered coldly, "Great, just great."

Ryder had always been a gentleman, as refined as they come.

Those hands, skilled with a scalpel, had never thrown a punch before.

Yet, unexpectedly, the first time they did, they landed on Jared's own face.

Ryder's fists were still clenched tightly, "Uncle, I apologize, I didn't mean to start a brawl, but bullying isn't the way of a gentleman. You can't force Agnes into anything."

His tone was icy, betraying a willingness to go another round, showing no hint of remorse.

Jared retorted, "Since when is it your place to meddle in our affairs?"

"From now on, I'm getting involved in anything that concerns Agnes."

Jared eyed Ryder coldly, a silent standoff brewing between the two men.

At that moment, Agnes let out a startled cry.

She noticed that Ryder's other hand was starting to drip blood, drop by drop.

It suddenly hit her - Ryder's hand was not long out of surgery. The realization scared her.

The doctors had been explicit in their warnings – that hand was not to be used.

Ryder was supposed to be in recovery for three months at the hospital.

But he had checked out in less than half that time.

He must have strained it just now.

But Agnes couldn't fathom the severity of it. Without another thought for anything else, she hurriedly pulled Ryder towards the rooftop entrance.

Together, Ryder and Agnes left the scene, leaving Jared and Valeria alone on the rooftop.

Valeria, still clad in her sharp business suit, supported Jared by the arm, "How are you feeling? Do we need to head to the hospital?"

Jared shook his head, "I'm fine."

But his gaze lingered on the retreating figures of Agnes and Ryder, barely noticing Valeria.

His fingers were also clenched tightly.

He hadn't expected that Agnes would only be concerned about Ryder, not even sparing a glance in his direction.

Valeria sighed, "Stop staring, Jared. They're long gone."

That snapped Jared back to the present, and he looked at Valeria, "What are you even doing here?"

"I was just helping out a friend with a delivery. Sharon had a gift prepared in Seattle for Mamie and asked Leo to deliver it. But Leo felt under the weather back at the office, so I offered to bring it over. I didn't expect to run into your brother and ended up coming in with him."

Ryder's presence needed no explanation for Jared.

He must have known that Agnes was meeting him today and followed suit.

The fact that he had pulled Agnes out, with everyone witnessing it, made it easy to guess they were on the rooftop.

Ryder finding this place wasn't surprising to Jared at all. It just seemed like too much of a coincidence, almost as if Ryder had come specifically to disrupt things.