Chapter 985


    Agnes simply couldn''t wrap her head around it.


    Shey in bed, her mind a jumbled mess of emotions, while next to her, Jared snoozed peacefully. She had ushered him to bed the night before, and


    now, he was sprawled out like a child, oblivious to the world, having slept through to nine in the morning


    Several times, Agnes considered waking him up. Yet, each time she saw his serene, boyish face in repose, her heart softened, and she let him be.


    When Jared finally opened his eyes, he found Agnes gazing at him intently, her expression aplex tapestry of emotions. Their eyes locked, and


    Agnes’, betraying a flicker of panic, seemed to dart away.


    Just as she was about to speak, Jared closed the distance between them with a sudden kiss. Agnes’ attempts to resist were futile. It was a long


    moment before Jared finally released her, leaving Agnes'' cheeks flushed like the rosy fingers of dawn.


    Annoyed, Agnes blurted out, "Jared, what on earth are you doing kissing me first thing in the morning?”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Jared, who seemed in an exceptionally good mood, replied with a half-grin, "Sorry, couldn''t help myself." His nonchnt demeanor suggested


    anything but remorse.


    Agnes shifted the topic, "Now that you''re awake, let''s get started."


    "Started on what?" Jared feigned confusion.


    Agnes lifted their still-bound wrists. "Finding the key, Jared. I''m not a prisoner, you know. Do I have to be shackled to you for life?”


    With a sigh, Jared conceded, "I kind of like it this way, but you always seem in such a rush to escape me.”


    Agnes couldn''t help butugh, despite her irritation. “You do realize that false imprisonment is a crime, right? Careful, Jared, or I might just call the


    cops on you."


    The cops?!


    It was as if a lightbulb went off in


    Agnes’ head. Why hadn''t she


    thought of that before? Jared had —


    thrown the key into a vast thickets


    Even if-tsey started searching now, it


    wouldbe a monumental task.with


    no-guarantee of sess. But of


    course, the police would Have the


    tools to free them in no time.


    Without hesitation, Agnes grabbed her cellphone and dialed 911.


    Jared, frowning, watched as Agnes made the call. "Agnes, what are you doing?" he asked


    With a snort, Agnes teased him, "I''m calling the cops to have you arrested.”


    Soon enough,the police arrived at


    the grand Maplewood Estate. They


    quickly unlocked the handcuffs buts


    couldn''t felp but ask, "Ms. Pritchard,


    can yor tel us what happened Here?


    IS sorieone using their wealttrand


    pewer to detain you against your


    will?”  ta


    To any onlooker, the situation


    reeked of suspicion. In a city where


    Jared''s reputation preceded him,


    handcuffs.could quickly evoke dark>


    fantasies-about the entricities-of


    the riche and powerful. It didn''t Kelp


    thatJared''s reputation had taken a


    hit￥ecently, with rumors ofhis


    womanizing ways and aboardroom


    coup that had ousted him as


    chairman of the Tim Group.


    Agnes nced at Jared, who stood beside her, and then addressed the officers, "He didn''t detain me against my will. You''re reading too much into it.


    It was just an ident."


    An ident? It seemed far-fetched, but if the involved party wasn''t pressing charges, there wasn''t much the police could do. They left the estate


    shortly after.


    Now “free,” Agnes made a beeline to leave the Maplewood Estate, only to be stopped as Jared caught her arm. "Where do you think you''re going?”


    Jared asked, his brow furrowed.