Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Chapter 15

No doubt about it, Ryder had a hell of a handsome face. You could tell just by the way Cecile, who was mad as hell a moment ago, was now blushing like a ripe tomato. And the girls around her were practically shooting heart eyes.

Agnes was quick off the mark, and blurted out, "Good timing, handsome. How can you sit back and watch your crazy fans bully other students in your name? Sure, it's not directly your fault, but it's happening because of you Can't you rein in your fans a bit? Or do you actually enjoy being put on a pedestal?"

Agnes knew her words were a bit harsh, and she knew none of this was really Ryder's fault But his hands-off attitude was basically that of a bystander, and he was the only one who could get these people to cool their jets.

Ryder shot Agnes a look, furrowing his brow She was momentarily dazed, his frown reminding her of someone she knew.

Meanwhile, Cecile had already strutted up to them. "Agnes, who do you think you are, yelling at Prince like that? You're just a crafty little minx, trying to catch his eye, aren't you?"

She raised her hand to slap Agnes. But her hand was stopped mid-air by Ryder. His voice was cold as ice, "When are you going to stop this nonsense?"

Cecile stared at him with love-struck eyes, "Prince..."

"Dont call me Prince. For your father's sake, I won't make a fuss. But disband this ridiculous fan club of yours, or I'll report you for harassment."

Cecile bargained, "I will stop if you make me your girlfriend. I've liked you for a long time."

"I don't like you" Ryder said Matly.

"As long as you don't have a girlfriend, I have every right to like you and pursue you. Everything I do, I do it for you."

Ryder replied, "I already have a girlfriend."

His words stunned everyone, including Agnes.

Agnes didn't know much about him, but as a journalism student, she heard plenty of gossip from her Ryder-loving roommates. But she never heard anything about him having a girlfriend. Whoever his girlfriend was, she would be in for a rough ride, Agnes thought.

Cecile was in total denial, "Who is she? Tell me who she is!"

Ryder glanced at Agnes, then calmly replied, "Her. Agnes."

Agnes was dumbstruck. First, she was shocked that Ryder even knew her name. Second, what the hell was this ice-cold dude talking about? Did he know he was signing her death warrant? Cecile shook her head, gritting her teeth, “I don't believe it. When did you start dating? You're lying, aren't you!"

Ryder's voice was cold and indifferent, "From this moment on."

With that, he cupped Agnes' head, leaned in, and his icy lips met

hers...

Agnes never thought she'd be kissed against her will. Her mind went blank; all she could hear were the collective gasps around her.

But it was just a peck, a brief touch before Ryder released Agnes. He then said to Cecile, "Now, you can give up. Don't cause any more trouble in school, or don't blame me for not considering the relationship between the Higgins and Whitfield families anymore."

With that, he took Agnes by the hand and left the lab, with Kerri hurrying after them.