Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Chapter 968

In front of his teacher, Ryder was a different person.

The icy aura that usually clung to him seemed to retreat.

He just hung his head and took the scolding, without a single word of protest.

It was almost pitiable to watch.

Finally, Mr. Walton left the room.

Jared looked up and let out a breath, "He's gone. Thought I was gonna lose it." Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Agnes, however, waited for Ryder, "You had it coming."

Ryder's face showed a hint of resignation, "I've been scolded for half an hour. You're not going to yell at me too, are you?"

"I ought to give you a piece of my mind, Ryder. Don't you care about your hands at all? What's the point if everyone else cares but you don't give a damn?" Agnes was genuinely angry.

Ryder's injury was because of her. More than anyone, she wanted to see him recover quickly.

But now...

"I'm sorry," Ryder admitted, "I just lost control in the moment."

At that moment, seeing what was unfolding, Ryder didn't think. He even forgot about his injured arm.

Remembering what had just taken place on the rooftop made Agnes feel awkward.

She muttered, looking down, "Next time, don't get involved. I can handle it myself. Remember, I'm a black belt in taekwondo. If I wanted to push Jared away, I could have."

Ryder's expression darkened, "So, you're saying you didn't want to push him away?"

"Ryder, like I said, what's going on between Jared and me... it's really none of your business."

"Tomorrow, the Tim Group is holding a board meeting, and all the shareholders will vote to elect a new chairman." Ryder suddenly changed the subject.

Agnes was confused. She didn't understand why Ryder would shift the conversation.

But she was aware of this development; Ivan had told her.

Company matters were something Agnes preferred not to meddle in.

Yet she didn't want Ryder to do this, especially not for her sake.

Agnes' tone was stern, "Ryder, what are you implying?"

"I want to go back to Manhattan," Ryder confessed, "Back to the Novy Medical Team to continue my research. Even if I can't perform surgery, I'm still more passionate about medicine. If you would like to come with me, to live as we did in the past few years, I'll give up everything here, give it all back to Uncle..."

Agnes' heart began to race.

She felt she understood Ryder's intent, yet she was not entirely sure.

"What if I don't go with you to Manhattan?" she asked.

"Then I'll take over as the chairman of the Tim Group. I'll make sure Jared loses everything."

Ryder's voice was calm, but it was the first time Agnes felt a chill listening to him speak.

Agnes looked incredulous, "Ryder, are you threatening me?"

"I'm not threatening you. I'm offering you a choice: choose me, or choose Jared."

Agnes stared at Ryder, unblinking. She never imagined Ryder would force such a choice upon her. What difference was there between this and a threat?

Though Agnes had always dreamed of Ryder pursuing medicine – she knew he had given up the Novy Medical Team for her – this condition he set felt like tearing off a mask from their relationship.