Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

The setting was the private dining room of Caesar International Hotel.

Agnes followed the station manager up the elevator.

By the time they entered the room, it was already half full.

A mix of media folks, some of them genuine titans in the industry.

However, the marketing team from the Tim Group had yet to arrive.

The station manager introduced Agnes to the assembled guests.

There was a collective look of recognition, "Ah, so this is the famous Ms. Pritchard who covered the Bronzetown earthquake live. The depth of your professionalism, risking life and limb, is truly admirable. A rising star indeed."

Agnes had been the only reporter on the scene due to the gridlocked mountain roads.

Her unique footage and photos were invaluable, poised to become significant historical documents. Compliments were heaped on Agnes, who responded with modest smiles.

Soon after, the door opened. Three men from the Tim Group entered.

Leading the pack was a man in a sharp suit, not particularly old, sporting gold-rimmed glasses that seemed to shine with a hidden brilliance.

His half-smile, however, along with a look that seemed to survey everyone condescendingly, gave off an unsettling vibe.

His gaze swept the room and finally rested on Agnes, eyes narrowing slightly.

For some reason, that look made Agnes distinctly uncomfortable.

The station manager quickly stood to greet him, "Mr. Peter, the pleasure is all ours."

"You are too kind," replied the man.

"Please, Mr. Peter, take a seat," the station manager offered.

He had indicated a seat, but Peter chose instead to sit next to the empty chair beside Agnes.

"I prefer the company of a beautiful woman," Peter declared.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed the station manager's face.

Peter suddenly extended his hand toward Agnes, "I'm Peter, marketing manager at the Tim Group. And who might this lovely lady be?"

Agnes inherently didn't have a good feeling about this man and opted not to shake his hand, simply stating, "I'm Agnes Pritchard."

"So, you're the famous Ms. Pritchard. It's a pleasure. You're even more attractive in person than on the screen."

"That's very kind of you," she replied, subtly shifting away.

It became clear to everyone that Mr. Peter was quite interested in Agnes.

The station manager was equally surprised.

He had heard rumors about the Tim Group's new marketing manager being a bit of a womanizer. But surely he wouldn't be so bold as to make advances on his boss' girlfriend. Moreover, it seemed that Peter didn't even recognize Agnes.

What was going on? The station manager felt uneasy.

The whole point of inviting Agnes was the hope that the Tim Group would award the advertising contract to the TV station out of respect for her.

At the TV station, Jerad had previously acknowledged Agnes as his own wife, although this relationship hadn't been made public.

Whether wife or girlfriend, the Tim Group had once diverted a hefty sum of 30 million to the TV station for a commercial production, clearly indicating Agnes' influence. But now, Mr. Peter was openly leering at Agnes.

The station manager couldn't help but worry, yet he also saw an opportunity.

Where the advertising money went ultimately boiled down to Peter's decision.

Whether his interest was personal or professional concerning Agnes and her standing with the Tim Group, it didn't matter.

As long as the advertising funds were secured, that was what counted.