Chapter 970


    It was almost after they had said their goodbyes that Agnes realized the true weight of the situation.


    The breakup wasn''t just a storm passing over Jared''s head—he was in the eye of it. Years of


    shared memories mixed with four years of separation had left a tangle of emotions that often


    plunged them both into a fog of confusion. To let go was to hurt, to stay together, an even deeper


    pain. It was a seesaw of heartache.


    But there was something Agnes didn''t know.


    She was aware that Jared hade looking for her in Bronzetown Borough, but she never


    anticipated how much he had paid. A knot tightened in her chest. Perhaps she meant more to him


    than she ever realized.


    Ryder''s voice cut through her thoughts, "Besides, everyone knows I have the Thomas Group


    backing me. Isn''t that enough to turn those old-timers who only see dor signs? Agnes, in the


    business world, it''s profits over emotions—feelings are worthless here."


    Agnes felt a wave of cold sweep over her heart.


    Ryder had convinced her. She believed that if a board meeting were called, Jared would be ousted


    without question. Especially since, in Ryder''s presence, Jared had lost all will to fight.


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    "How can you be so selfish?" Agnes challenged. "You know full well that if you wanted the


    chairmanship of the Tim Group, Jared would never truly fight you for it. He might even hand it over


    willingly. If you im that position because of this, will you really be at peace with yourself?"


    "That chair was never what I wanted, Agnes. You know that. I only wanted you. I don''t even ask for


    your love—just to have you by my side. Even if we continue as friends, as we have these past


    years, trusting each other, bound by an inseparable connection. That''s all I need. I can''t bear to see


    you by my uncle''s side, unhappy. Why don’t you leave himpletely? Isn''t lingering in limbo even


    more painful?"


    Agnes'' heart ached—not just over the impossible choice before her, but at Ryder''s words, his


    cunning. She began to question whether his strategic maneuvers to take over the Tim Group were


    all for this moment—had he been plotting from the start, to trap her in his scheme?


    Even Ryder, it seemed, was manipting her.


    "Even if I''m in pain, I don''t want to be forced, threatened, or have someone leverage my guilt and


    the future of those I love against me," she said firmly.


    Ryder''s fingers twitched in a brief moment of tension. Even if they were apart, Jared was still "the


    one she loved," wasn''t he?


    "Your indecision is just because you don''t want to leave. You''re still holding on, still hoping for a


    reunion with my uncle. But Agnes, have you considered that you''re simply not right for each other?


    The constant cycle of breaking up and making up—it''s because you''re ipatible. Each return


    only ends in a repeat performance, exhausting you both. I''m the one who truly understands you.


    Valeria is better suited for my uncle. He''s always had this... a cleanlinessplex when ites to


    women. Even Mamie never really reached his heart. The only woman he ever loved was you. But


    now there''s Valeria. She''s made her way in. You can feel it, can''t you? The fact he hid the news of


    Berlin''s release from you for her sake—it proves Valeria''s ce in his heart has surpassed yours.


    He cares more about her feelings now. Agnes, how much longer will you deceive yourself?"