Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1054

Ryder suddenly lifted his head, his eyes red and swollen.

"One last time," he told himself, "this is the last time."

"I promise you," Ryder began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within, "but you have to promise me, not a single hair on their heads gets harmed. If you break that promise, I won't let you off."

The man opposite him chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. "Relax, my goal isn't your brother. He's just a means to an end. I won't touch him."

Raising his glass, the man toasted, "To a fruitful collaboration."

Agnes never expected the ensuing weeks to be so tranquil.

Life, it seemed, was gradually finding its way back to normalcy.

Ryder had vanished from her life as if he'd never been a part of it.

Alyssa mentioned Ryder had gone abroad to clear his head.

That seemed good to Agnes. A change of scenery could sometimes work wonders.

Meanwhile, Jared had been busier than ever, coming home late every night.

Ryder's investment in Starling City, now backed by the government, demanded his attention, as did the recently acquired pharmaceutical companies and factories. It was a step-by-step process, but, thankfully, the core business of the Tim Group had returned to its usual pace.

For Agnes, life had slowed down a bit.

Patton had hired a lawyer to appeal, but in a shocking twist, Honey Badger died of a sudden stroke in detention. It sparked widespread controversy, with theories of a behind-the-scenes conspiracy, a gangland cleanup, or even government foul play swirling around.

With Honey Badger's death, the investigation hit a dead end.

Albert’s Arms, associated with Badger, was dragged through the mud. Once a name that stood for a powerful, albeit shadowy, organization, it was now mired in accusations and speculation. Despite its past as a criminal syndicate, Albert's Arms had steered clear of illegal activities for years, even earning a begrudging acceptance from Capital's government.

Yet, the drug case cast a long shadow over Albert’s Arms, tarnishing its reputation. The media frenzy painted it in broad strokes of criminality, linking it to drugs and violence without substantial proof.

Agnes found herself distressed by the reports. Many seemed baseless, aimed at smearing Albert’s Arms. True, the organization dabbled in grey areas of business, but it had always steered clear of outright violence.

The narrative unfolding before her eyes was a mix of truth and fabrication, leaving Agnes to wonder about the real story lurking beneath the surface.