Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 704

Agnes was at a loss for words, feeling as if she were in a dream.

For a moment, she thought perhaps everyone's fate, every event in their life, every encounter, was preordained. That from birth to death, every detail of one's life was choreographed by a divine playwright. And they were merely actors, faithfully following the script in the river of time.

Otherwise, how could she possibly run into Jared?

She had specifically gone out to clear her mind and avoid him.

Yet here he was, clearly not alone.

At his side, her arm entwined with his, stood none other than Valeria.

Valeria's appearance that day was striking.

A low-cut white evening gown, her makeup as sharp and flawless as ever.

Tall and slender, she looked like a supermodel straight from a Paris runway, her presence radiating power.

Compared to Valeria, there was one aspect where Agnes couldn't compete.

Valeria's aura exuded a natural blend of confidence and authority.

Whereas Agnes was merely putting on a show.

Valeria had noticed Agnes too.

Her gaze was expressionless as she glanced at Jared beside her.

Effortlessly, she withdrew her arm from Jared's.

Jared's face was as calm as a still pond.

When he saw Agnes, he didn't even betray the slightest hint of surprise.

But his gaze was deep and piercing, scrutinizing Agnes like a hawk.

Under such scrutiny, Agnes felt her heart skip a beat.

She instinctively tightened her grip on Kearney's arm.

Kearney glanced at Jared, asking, "Your ex-husband?"

He had met Jared before, briefly, at the airport on the day he returned home.

Agnes didn't respond, but her reaction said it all.

Kearney cast a surreptitious glance towards them, before leaning in to whisper in Agnes' ear, "The woman with him is Valeria Thomas, our biggest competitor for the wine distribution rights. She's very close with Count and Countess Alexandra, and it's practically a done deal that she'll be awarded the rights. I'm here primarily to try and snatch those rights from her. I heard she just got married and was bringing her new husband to meet the Alexandras. I didn't expect it to be your ex-husband."

Kearney had explained the situation quite clearly.

Agnes couldn't believe the coincidence.

Valeria was Kearney's fiercest competitor.

She had heard rumors of Valeria running a successful wine business in France, so Valeria's presence here wasn't surprising.

What was surprising was that Jared, who had supposedly called off his engagement with Valeria, was here as her husband.

Suddenly, Agnes remembered the emotional plea Jared had made just the day before.

He had asked for a fresh start between them.

But now, it seemed those words were empty promises.

Of course.

He and Valeria had a history, four years of shared experiences, even an engagement.

It was only natural that he wouldn't be able to move on so easily.

Jared might have wanted to reconcile with her for the sake of their child.

But he was also managing other romantic relationships in his life.

That was something Agnes couldn't tolerate.

She could be friends with Jared, they could co-parent their child, they could even live in harmony.

But they could never be lovers or spouses again.

The irony was, when Jared had asked her to seriously consider his proposition, she had actually given it some thought.

She had been too naive.