SWNOVELS Chapter 985
Agnes simply couldn't wrap her head around it.
She lay in bed, her mind a jumbled mess of emotions, while next to her, Jared snoozed peacefully. She had ushered him to bed the night before, and now, he was sprawled out like a child, oblivious to the world, having slept through to nine in the morning.
Several times, Agnes considered waking him up. Yet, each time she saw his serene, boyish face in repose, her heart softened, and she let him be.
When Jared finally opened his eyes, he found Agnes gazing at him intently, her expression a complex tapestry of emotions. Their eyes locked, and Agnes', betraying a flicker of panic, seemed to dart away. Just as she was about to speak, Jared closed the distance between them with a sudden kiss. Agnes' attempts to resist were futile. It was a long moment before Jared finally released her, leaving Agnes' cheeks flushed like the rosy fingers of dawn.
Annoyed, Agnes blurted out, "Jared, what on earth are you doing kissing me first thing in the morning?"
Jared, who seemed in an exceptionally good mood, replied with a half-grin, "Sorry, couldn't help myself." His nonchalant demeanor suggested anything but remorse.
Agnes shifted the topic, "Now that you're awake, let's get started."
"Started on what?" Jared feigned confusion.
Agnes lifted their still-bound wrists. "Finding the key, Jared. I'm not a prisoner, you know. Do I have to be shackled to you for life?"
With a sigh, Jared conceded, "I kind of like it this way, but you always seem in such a rush to escape me."
Agnes couldn't help but laugh, despite her irritation. "You do realize that false imprisonment is a crime, right? Careful, Jared, or I might just call the cops on you." The cops?!
It was as if a lightbulb went off in
Agnes' head. Why hadn't she thought of that before? Jared had thrown the key into a vast thicket. Even if they started searching now, it would be a monumental task with no guarantee of success. But of course, the police would have the tools to free them in no time.
Without hesitation, Agnes grabbed her cellphone and dialed 911.
Jared, frowning, watched as Agnes made the call. "Agnes, what are you doing?" he asked.
With a snort, Agnes teased him, "I'm calling the cops to have you arrested."
Soon enough, the police arrived at the grand Maplewood Estate. They quickly unlocked the handcuffs but couldn't help but ask, "Ms. Pritchard, can you tell us what happened here? Is someone using their wealth and power to detain you against your Will?"
To any onlooker, the situation reeked of suspicion. In a city where Jared's reputation preceded him, handcuffs could quickly evoke dark fantasies about the eccentricities of the rich and powerful. It didn't help that Jared's reputation had taken a hit recently, with rumors of his womanizing ways and a boardroom coup that had ousted him as
chairman of the Tim Group.
Agnes glanced at Jared, who stood beside her, and then addressed the officers, "He didn't detain me against my will. You're reading too much into it. It was just an accident." An accident? It seemed far-fetched, but if the involved party wasn't pressing charges, there wasn't much the police could do. They left the estate shortly after.
Now "free," Agnes made a beeline to leave the Maplewood Estate, only to be stopped as Jared caught her arm. "Where do you think you're going?" Jared asked, his brow furrowed.