Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Jared smiled, "Back when you were struggling to buy out Laura's shares, funds were tight. That's when Ivan stepped in and set up Nova Media, scooping up all your shares. He then laid out a trap for Laura, playing the long game, and eventually snagged the complete ownership of Starlight International Group, which now falls under the Century Entertainment umbrella.”

What Jared recounted was the truth, and it was the very reason Agnes was so grateful to Ivan.

He had stood by her in her darkest hour with unwavering loyalty.

But it had come to light later on that it was Jared who had actually set up Nova Media, and the funds had come from his own pocket.

When all was said and done, Starlight International Group was still tied to Nova Media.

Officially, it was a subsidiary of Century Entertainment, but legally, it was Jared's.

Whether Starlight belonged to Nova Media or Century Entertainment, Agnes had never intended to reclaim the company.

Her battle at the time was simply to prevent Laura and her daughter from succeeding in their scheming.

Starlight International Group was the legacy of her parents, and knowing it was still remembered, still carrying the Starlight name, filled Agnes with contentment.

Nonetheless, Agnes was unclear about Jared's intentions.

Jared continued, "When you were cash-strapped, didn't you sign a document that mortgaged the family villa in exchange for shares, which you then sold to Nova Media?"

Indeed, that had happened. It was the toughest decision Agnes had ever made.

Laura had nearly auctioned off the villa on the black market.

Desperate for a quick financial fix to cover the shortfall in buying out Laura, Agnes felt Ivan had already done more than enough. She couldn't ask him to bear such a huge loss on her behalf.

So, when signing the documents, Agnes also mortgaged the villa for shares, effectively transferring ownership to Nova Media.

But the contract stipulated that she retained temporary usage rights and the option to buy it back at any time.

The villa, valued at about 300 million dollars at the time, theoretically belonged to Nova Media, to Jared.

For years, it seemed as though Nova Media was just a shell, virtually non-existent.

Agnes hadn't forgotten about it, but she lacked the means to address it.

For a moment, Agnes was at a loss for words.

But since Jared had brought it up, she understood his purpose.

Agnes looked down, resignation in her voice, "I'll pack up and leave today."

She hadn't anticipated that Jared's reappearance would leave her without a home.

Jared's expression seemed to waver slightly.

Agnes had only taken a few steps when Jared called after her, "You don't have to leave. You can stay here."

His tone was almost anxious.

He definitely didn't want his cunning to backfire.

But Agnes was unpredictable, and Jared knew it.

Jared spoke again, "I won't come by often, but... I find I sleep better here."

His voice trailed off, hinting at vulnerability which surprised Agnes.

He was speaking the truth. Only where Agnes was could he find peaceful sleep.

If Agnes moved out, even if he stayed, it wouldn't make a difference.

Agnes furrowed her brow. Hearing Jared speak like this, her heart was bittersweet.

Why couldn't he sleep well? And why seek solace here? Agnes couldn't pry. To probe would be to unravel a tangled web of emotions.