Valeria felt a tinge of disappointment.
She deliberately brought up Agnes. The words she had just spoken were meant to catch Jared off guard.
But it seemed that only by mentioning Agnes did Jared's true emotions surface.
Valeria cut to the chase, "I told her that you are the reason I stayed with the Tim Group.
Jared's brow furrowed deeply.
Agnes had always been bothered by his relationship with Valeria. No matter how many times he explained, it did no good. In fact, Jared had always thought that Agnes used it as an excuse to push him away. But Jared had never imagined this.
He sighed, "Valeria, it seems you no longer fit in at the Tim Group."
Valeria barely reacted, just a slight curl of her lips in a nonchalant gesture.
"I didn't expect you to dismiss me so outright," she said.
In truth, this outcome didn't surprise her. That’s the type of person Jared was.
Over the years, there had never been any ambiguity between them.
She had always kept her emotions well hidden.
Jared looked at her gravely, "We're friends, and that's why I have to do what's best for you. Valeria, we're no longer suitable as partners."
"Alright, I understand," Valeria replied, still with that air of ease about her. "I'll resign from the Tim Group tomorrow, but I hope we can still be friends."
"We'll always be friends, and excellent business associates," he affirmed.
Valeria felt a sense of resignation as Jared strictly defined their relationship.
Just good business associates? Was that his final answer?
Ryder was a rare talent in medicine, gifted and hardworking.
Dr. Porras had treasured him and was proud when Ryder joined the prestigious Novy Medical Team overseas, often boasting about it to his students.
But now, Ryder was suddenly hospitalized with a comminuted fracture in his right hand.
Even if he did recover, things would never be the same; he would never be able to wield a scalpel again.
Dr. Porras had been distraught upon learning the news, insisting on performing the surgery himself, desperate for a solution that would enable a full recovery.
But doctors aren't miracle workers.
So, when Dr. Walton found out that Ryder had unnecessarily injured himself again, he couldn't help but lose his temper and give Ryder a dressing down on behalf of Dr. Porras.
Ryder hung his head low, like a schoolboy who had done something wrong.
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