Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1039

After wrapping up her story, Agnes concluded, "That's the long and short of it. The world is filled with shades of gray, and honestly, I'm at a loss for words."

Her statement was nothing but the plain truth. In this situation, she had no stance, nor was she in any position to offer counsel. All Agnes could do was be there for Jared when he was feeling down.

Jared managed a smile after hearing her out, but it was tinged with sadness, and he fell silent. Agnes let out a heavy sigh. She was supposed to head back home today. But considering that Patton was scheduled to come over to repair the house the next day, Agnes decided to take a day off and stay a bit longer to keep an eye on things.

She also filled Jared in on the recent drug trafficking case she stumbled upon. Jared's frown deepened upon hearing it.

"You shouldn't take on such dangerous cases in the future," Jared advised.

"I didn't exactly volunteer for it," Agnes responded, "But I couldn't just stand by, especially since it involves Albert's Arms. I might not be one of them, but I'm somewhat connected."

Jared, with a stern face, inquired, "So, have you discussed this with anyone here?" He meant Reggie, Kearney, and whether they were aware of Patton's involvement in drug trafficking.

Agnes shook her head. "I haven't mentioned it." Her heart leaned towards justice and her duty. If Patton was indeed involved in drug trafficking, and there were higher-ups involved, who could the big boss be? Could it be someone high up in Albert's Arms, perhaps someone she knew?

"So, you suspect Reggie might be involved?" Jared asked.

Agnes shook her head. "Reggie would never get involved in drug trafficking. He might be into some shady businesses, but nothing that crosses the line. I'm certain of that. But with so many people in Albert's Arms, including the uncles who founded it with him and his subordinates, I can't guarantee none of them have gone astray. That's why I've kept quiet. I don't want to startle anyone, and after all, this is something the detectives should handle."

"And what exactly do you plan to do by staying here tomorrow?" Jared questioned.

"I just want to figure out who Honey Badger really works for."

Whoever Honey Badger is loyal to is the prime suspect. This was the reality Agnes was reluctant to face. It was either her older brother or her second brother. Although the second brother claimed Patton was under the older brother's wing, and Phenix seemed to confirm it inadvertently, it hardly made sense. Her older brother had been abroad for years, hardly involved in the domestic business. It just didn't add up.

Moreover, as Jarvis mentioned, this was the biggest drug trafficking and manufacturing organization domestically, with its own chemists and a sophisticated distribution network. It was an entire underworld industry chain. With her older brother abroad, how could he manage such operations?

But her second brother... Agnes found that hard to believe too. The second brother, highly regarded by Michael, had almost taken over most of the business operations. Aside from an underground casino, nearly all his ventures were legitimate, well-managed over the years, and had brought in substantial profits for Albert's Arms.

In recent years, Albert's Arms had been practically going legit, dabbling in both the underworld and legitimate businesses, heavily investing in real estate and education, even establishing several schools, thus earning a good reputation. Kearney had no reason to risk it all for dirty money. And Reggie would never allow it.