Heartstrings on Fire

Chapter 738
“There’s actually something I need to discuss. Alyssa just called me, inviting me over for New Year’s Eve dinner at the Whitfield
Manor tonight. But... I don’t think I can make it today. Could you tell Alyssa that I won’t be able to join tonight?”
Jared nodded. He then asked, “How’s the project in Cloudsdale going? Is it all chewed up yet?”
“It’s going smoothly, almost done. Couldn’t have done it without your help.”
“That’s no problem at all. I’ve arranged a dinner with the director of the Bureau of Land Management. You should come along, it
could be helpful for your progress.”
“Alright then, I’ll stay a couple more days in Willowbrook Town.”
Jared and Valeria were discussing business matters which Agnes didn’t quite understand. So she sat on the couch, reading a
magazine.
After a while, it seemed like the business talk was over. At some point, Valeria had come to stand in front of Agnes. Valeria
began, “Ms. Pritchard, may I have a word with you?”
Agnes nodded, and the two of them left Jared’s office. They went to the end of the corridor
There was a small, fan–shaped glass platform. From the window, one could see the entire cityscape. But the people who worked
here were busy as bees. No one had the leisure to enjoy the view.
This place was unusually quiet. The two of them came to a stop.
Agnes quietly looked at Valeria.
A lot of things were quite coincidental, like her wedding, like that banquet.
Valeria spoke first, “Ms. Pritchard, I believe Jared has already explained certain things to you. But from my standpoint, I want to
prevent any unnecessary issues and misunderstandings,
so I want to clarify once more.”
“What do you want to clarify?”

“Over these past four years, Jared and I have been nothing more than business partners. I have no personal feelings for him,
and he feels the same towards me. Even our engagement was simply a business arrangement I hope you don’t misunderstand
Agnes chuckled, “Don’t worry, I won’t misunderstand”
‘As for what my father did to your father, I deeply regret it. But that was a matter of their generation He paid his dues, and I hope
we can let this matter rest it’s better to reconcile than to feud, and I hope it won’t affect our generation”
The fact that Valeria could say this was quite unexpected for Agnes.
Jared had said that Valeria was a frighteningly rational woman, and it was true.
1/2
Agnes responded, “I won’t involve the grievances of the previous generation in our affairs.”
Valeria chuckled, “That’s good to hear.”
Everything was out in the open, and Agnes felt much less guarded.
Valeria was different from all the women she had met. She was genuine, efficient, and powerful – the quintessential queen that
all women aspired to be.
Agnes asked, “Why did you decide to talk to me about these matters?”
There was no need for her to humble herself and explain these things.
“Because I don’t want us to be enemies.”
Agnes laughed, “Who would be foolish enough to make an enemy of you?”
The two of them seemed to have reached an understanding.
Agnes thought for a moment, feeling that she should clarify the situation in France.
Agnes began, “At the Count and Countess Alexandra’s banquet, I didn’t intentionally steal your agency rights.”

Valeria chuckled, “There’s no need to mention that. Business is a battlefield, and deception is part of the game. Whether Mr.
Kearney did it deliberately or not, I’m willing to accept the
outcome. And I believe that it had nothing to do with you.”