Chapter 969


    "Agnes," Ryder implored, his voice heavy with emotion, "you can''t keep shrugging this off onto me


    like it''s nothing. Whether I pursue medicine or drop out, that''s my business. The feud with Jared,


    that shouldn''t be your cross to bear. You shouldn''t have to shoulder this kind of decision."


    Agnes had to admit, she wanted to wipe the te clean from all of this mess.


    The choices Ryder talked about felt like two colossal boulders pressing down on her shoulders.


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    Could her decision really dictate the destinies of these two men?


    Ryder suddenly grasped her hand, his eyes burning with a desperate intensity. "Don''t run from this,


    Agnes. You''re going to have to face it eventually. You''ve got to choose between me and my uncle."


    "Ryder, don''t push me into a corner," Agnes shot back, her voiceced with frustration. "Why should


    you even be a part of this choice? I never said I wanted to be with you. My only choice is whether or


    not to be with Jared."


    The weight of the situation was giving her a headache. She had always been clear about setting


    boundaries with Ryder. Yet he never seemed to give up.


    But Agnes hadn''t expected him to corner her so decisively, forcing her to make a choice.


    Yet she owed Ryder a lot, perhaps even her life and more.


    And then there was Jared...


    "I know you''ve never considered me in your choices," Ryder admitted, a touch of bitterness in his


    voice. "That''s why I have to force my hand, to carve out some space in your life, to give myself a


    fighting chance."


    "I''m not choosing, Ryder. Whatever you decide to do, it''s not my concern," Agnes stated, trying to


    extricate herself from the situation.


    "You know damn well everything I do, I do for you."


    The room fell into a tense silence, filled only with the sound of their breathing.


    Agnes'' breaths were quick and shallow, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.


    Everything Ryder was doing, the struggle for control over The Tim Group, the rift with Jared, it was


    all because of her.


    She knew she bore an undeniable responsibility.


    Then, a thought struck Agnes, "Jared''s no fool. He won''t be taken down so easily. Do you really


    think you can unseat him, step into his shoes? The Tim Group was built by his hands, and you''ve


    only been there a few months. I don''t believe you''ve got the chops to pull off such a feat."


    Agnes was sure about this.


    Jared was a business prodigy, not someone to be easily outmaneuvered by Ryder.


    Comparing Ryder''s experience to Jared''s was likeparing a kindergartner to a university


    schr.


    However, Ryder just chuckled, "Remember the Bronzetown Borough earthquake? My uncle


    diverted a massive amount of The Tim Group''s funds to clear the roads to get to you. It caused a


    critical project to suffer a funding gap, resulting in huge losses. And now he''s gone missing,


    neglecting thepany entirely. The board''s lost faith in him, Agnes. I can assure you, if ites


    down to a vote for leadership, I''ll take the reins."


    Agnes felt as if her heart was in a vice. She felt ensnared, being dragged under water.


    Dizziness clouded her mind, her breathsing in short, ragged gasps.


    Ryder was right. Deep down, Agnes knew it all too well.


    Her interactions with Jaredtely had been nothing but a string of arguments.


    And many of those disputes were because of her. Especially when he disappeared; Jared had been


    at Serenity Hall, keepingpany with Nocturne.