Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1076

Jared gently pushed open the door to Alyssa's room.

Surprisingly, Alyssa was the type who needed a light on to sleep. Yet, at that moment, the room was engulfed in darkness, the light switch untouched. In the dimly lit room, a figure could be seen sitting on the couch.

Jared took a few steps forward and flicked on the light switch.

"Hey, sis," Jared called out.

The sudden burst of light seemed to catch Alyssa off guard. She instinctively shielded her eyes with her arm. But both Agnes and Jared saw it—a photo in Alyssa's hand.

The photo was a decade old. Back then, Ryder had just graduated from middle school. Jared had attended his graduation ceremony. There was Ryder, donning a cap and gown, standing on the lawn next to Jared. Back in the day, Jared was a whole head taller than Ryder. The two stood side by side, Jared's arm slung over Ryder's shoulder, both sporting smiles.

Ryder had always been camera shy, making photos of him a rare find in the house. Especially ones with him smiling. That made this photo all the more precious. Alyssa had kept it like a treasure, right by her bed. But now, even a glance brought an unbearable ache to her heart.

Alyssa looked up, saw Agnes and Jared, and managed a weak smile, "You're back."

She stood up. Agnes slowly approached her, "Sis, you okay?"

"I'm fine," Alyssa said. "I've heard about what's been going on. Never thought Ryder would actually do something like that. I guess I've always known, deep down."

"Tonight, we're having guests over for dinner. You might find the suspects you're looking for among them," Alyssa mentioned cryptically.

Agnes and Jared were puzzled by her words, unsure of what she meant. That was until Cilian showed up.

Agnes hadn't expected Cilian to visit the Whitfield Manor that day. But then again, it wasn't entirely surprising. His own son had been arrested, and naturally, as a father, he'd do anything to help Ryder. Especially since the drug case had ties to NovaPlex Labs, a pharmaceutical company in Starling City that was once under the Thomas Group's umbrella.

Though it was a small, unknown factory with shares owned by Berlin, Cilian might have been unaware of its existence. Yet, the case had inadvertently linked back to the Thomas Group. Accompanying Cilian was another individual, Valeria Thomas.