Heartstrings on Fire

Chapter 818
Although Ramona couldn’t make heads or tails of what Agnes was saying, the sheer shift in Ryder’s expression was undeniable.
His normally stoic face was now a mask of arctic frost signaling that Agnes had crossed a line.
She realized that, despite Agnes being Ryder’s family, the nature of their relationship was shrouded in mystery. Ryder wasn’t the
kind of man you could dismiss or disrespect, even if the familial ties demanded a certain leniency. And there they were, mere
journalists amidst a sea of high rolling sponsors, rubbing elbows with the kind of people they couldn’t afford to piss off
Panicked, Ramona rushed to steady a tottering Agnes, pleading. ‘Boss, you’re wasted How about we call it a night with the
drinks, huh?”
But Agnes was beyond reason, shrugging off Ramona’s helping hand and discarding her glass in favor of a half empty bottle of
whiskey She staggered toward Ryder, words slurring heavily Ryder, you’re no cutthroat businessman You should’ve been a doc,
an angel in scrubs, you get me? Just look at yourself, all done up in that monkey suit It’s all wrong just wrong You ought to be a
doctor”
As the rambled, she lunged at Ryder, attempting to strip him of his suit. “Take off the jacket! You gotta ditch the suit, throw on
some scrubs. Agnes was clearly in the throes of a drunken spectacle.
The entire table watched, aghast, as she made a grab for Ryder’s clothes. Ryder, face an impassive sheet of ice, didn’t push her
away, his stance almost permissive of her
antics
Thankfully Ramona and Hans intervened before she could get any further with her undressing endeavor Ramona knew that if
her behavior cost the station a major client their bonus would be as good as gone
She quickly apologized Mr Whitfield, I’m so sorry about this... We had no idea our boss could get this drunk. We’ll take her home
now”
To everyone’s surprise, the usually silent Ryder spoke up. Til take her home,” he said pulling Agnes away from Hans.
Hans was about to protest but was silenced by a tug on his sleeve from Ramona. After all, Ryder was related to Agnes, had
every right to take charge of the situation.

By now, Agnes was barely conscious, still muttering under her breath and occasionally blurting out Mr. Whitfield’s full name.
Ramona and the crew were sweating bullets for her
But Ryder just bent down, hoisted Agnes onto his back as if she were a child, and carried her out of the private room.
“Mr Whitfield’s girlfriend is quite a handful” chuckled a few people from the project team.
Ramona was stunned Girlfriend? She was practically Ryder’s aunt–in–law But she held her tongue, as this was clearly a private
matter.
Once outside, Ryder gently placed Agnes into his car settling her into the passenger seat before driving off into the night.