Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 814

Agnes sat there, her gaze fixed on the photograph clipped to the file. Her mind seemed to wander far from the conference room where Judson's voice had been a steady presence. It was Ryder, of all people, staring back at her from the photo.

He looked different, transformed almost. Dressed to the nines in a tailored suit, his hair combed with military precision, he exuded the aura of a corporate titan.

She was so accustomed to the sight of him in his white lab coat that this new Ryder seemed almost alien to her.

Yet, despite the change in attire, one thing remained the same - the icy coolness that seemed to radiate from him.

"Agnes, what's wrong?" Judson's voice cut through her reverie, calling her back to the present.

Truth be told, she had heard every word Judson had said. He wanted her to be the liaison for a big project with the TV network.

Without a second thought, Agnes refused, "Boss, I can't take on that interview."

Judson removed his glasses, a sign of his growing impatience. "Why not?"

"I want to focus on making 'The Primary Perspective' a success," Agnes said, grasping at excuses. "I don't have the bandwidth for more, and there are plenty of seasoned reporters at the station, people with far more experience in business than me. I'm just not cut out for this liaison role."

Judson sighed heavily. "I know it's a tough ask, but this is a major initiative, high-profile, with government backing. The Thomas Group has entrusted all their post-project PR to our network."

"But if it's such a high-stakes project, surely it's all the more reason not to send a rookie like me," Agnes countered, playing her last card. "I've only just returned to the country, after all."

Judson leaned forward, "If the client hadn't specifically asked for you by name, I wouldn't dream of burdening you with this."

That statement made something heavy settle in Agnes' stomach.

Requested her? By name?

Judson seemed uncomfortable as he continued, "Look, Agnes, I need you to step up here. It's a high-priority project, good for the country, good for the people. And I've touched base with them; it won't be too demanding. The Thomas Group's HQ is in the Capital, and the project lead won't be here all the time. It's just a bit of a push at the start."

Now that Judson had laid it out like that, Agnes couldn't refuse without good reason, especially if it was a direct request. And Agnes had her own reasons for wanting to see Ryder again. "Alright, sir. I'll do the interview this afternoon."

The interview was scheduled at the Caesar International Hotel's auditorium. Agnes and her cameraman, Ben, arrived early to prepare the site.

She went over the script one more time.

The questions Judson had prepared were all highbrow, industry stuff.

While Agnes was focused on the task at hand, her colleague Ramona was gushing over the photo in the script, "Boss, can we just talk about how dreamy Mr. Ryder is? Rumor has it he's from the Capital, the son of billionaire Cilian Whitfield, and currently the big shot managing director of the Thomas Group. He's probably going to be chairman one day. It's like he stepped right out of one of those bossy CEO romance novels. I mean, what kind of girl lands a real-life prince like that? I'm dying to know who he'll end up with."

Ramona's gossip was distracting, but Agnes felt a weight upon her heart. Her feelings for Ryder were anything but simple.

The interview was set for the late afternoon, at half-past four.

As the clock struck the appointed hour, the doors to the auditorium swung open, and Ryder appeared, punctual as ever.