You Hit My Heart by Kylie Stanford

Chapter 1708: Seems to Like You

Joyce and Darrin left the Ballard Group mansion together.

Darrin started the car, and Joyce sat in the passenger seat as they sped away.

Inside the car, Joyce leaned her head against the window, gazing outside.

The night was pitch black, stretching endlessly into the distance. The moon was unusually large, radiating an eerie yellow glow,

while the brilliance of the stars remained hidden. The howling wind whistled through the car windows, creating a hissing sound.

Darrin drove on a small road, and there were a few places without streetlights. Even with the high beams on, they could only

illuminate a short distance ahead.

The boundless darkness plunged Joyce into deep thought. Unconsciously, she rubbed her pointed chin, her profile hidden in the

darkness, making it difficult to discern her expression.

Darrin glanced at Joyce occasionally while driving.

Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Warner hasn't returned for almost a week. Don't you know where he went?"

Joyce shook her head, "I didn't ask."

"Why? It wouldn't be hard to find out. | can inquire for you," Darrin tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"No reason. What do you think about what Christian said just now?" Joyce suddenly turned her head, looking at Darrin's handsome

profile.

Darrin was taken aback. He had his own thoughts on the matter. "General, what do you think?"

Knowing abruptly about her husband's past relationship, he couldn't be sure of Joyce's current state of mind. Any normal woman

would probably find it difficult to accept.

Joyce pointed out the doubts, "Did you notice that everything Christian said was either relayed to him by his sister Athena or his

own speculation? He never witnessed any of it firsthand."

"Yes, you're right. He never had a proper conversation with Mr. Warner about his sister," Darrin said seriously. "General, although |

haven't known Mr. Warner for long, | believe he is an open-minded person who wouldn't deliberately hide anything, nor does he

have any reason to. What does he want? Moreover, Mr. Warner is decisive in his actions. If he likes someone, he won't let go. If he

dislikes someone, he wouldn't spare them a second glance. That's how | see it."

Joyce nodded slightly.

"Yes. What we can be certain of is that Athena's cliff jump did happen, as Christian personally experienced it. But the key question

is what led her to make that choice, something even Christian may not be clear about. And that's the crucial point in this whole

matter."

Darrin glanced at Joyce again. "General, if Mr. Warner really had such a past, what do you plan to do?"

Joyce pondered for a moment before replying, "I don't want to assanything. First, we need to determine the degree of

credibility. You should know Karl; he implanted the idea in me, and it has had a deep impact. We need evidence for everything.

Without evidence, | won't make any judgments.”

"I've heard of him. He's the director of the Special Investigation Department and now the dean of the House of Inspection, right? |

heard you have a good relationship with him," Darrin said. "General, should we involve Mr. Gregory in the investigation?"

Joyce shook her head, "Not for now. He's about to beca father, and | want him to have speaceful days. He has helped me

too much before, and | owe him so much. | don't want to trouble him anymore."

Darrin smiled slightly, "General, now you have me. | know a thing or two about criminal investigation and counterintelligence."

Joyce waved her hand, "Not for now. Christian's words, | find them unreasonable. It's clear that Christian has strong feelings for

Athena, likely beyond a sibling relationship. And they aren't blood-related. They grew up together, with a deep bond. So, whatever

Athena says, Christian will naturally believe without any doubt."

Darrin affirmed, "Because of deep love, one is willing to believe. | also think that Mr. Ballard's words are illogical and heavily

influenced by his personal emotions, which hinders his ability to accurately judge the situation.”

"But those aren't the main points," Joyce narrowed her eyes, showing a hint of sharpness. "Athena has been gone for ten years,

and yet, why can't | see overwhelming grief in Christian's eyes?"

"Perhaps the passage of thas made the emotions fade?" Darrin questioned.

"It shouldn't. When | first met Christian over four years ago, his emotions were even more intense than they are now. He had a

face-to-face confrontation with Luther, and the situation was extremely tense," Joyce rubbed her temples. "I've been thinking about

this since | got in thecar. What is the reason that allows Christian to speak of the past so calmly, without showing too much

sadness in his expression, or even the expected excitement?"

"Cough cough." Darrin discreetly coughed a few times, stealing a glance. "Well, as a man, | feel... Christian seems to like you."

"What nonsense," Joyce rolled her eyes and playfully slapped Darrin's arm.

"That's not nonsense, | genuinely feel that way. Think about it, his sister's matter happened ten years ago. If he has moved on and

now likes you, mentioning the past wouldn't cause him the sheart-wrenching pain. That's the only way it makes sense," Darrin

emphasized.

He genuinely had this feeling. Christian's gaze toward Joyce wasn't as simple as a friendship.

Christian's gaze contained complexity, joy, heartache, and helplessness. As a man, Darrin could understand. After all, Joyce was

already married with a child, so for Christian, he could only let go.

"I'm not referring to that. | mean, | feel like Christian is hiding something from me. He didn't finish what he wanted to say," Joyce

said indignantly.

"Oh, that. | didn't sense that," Darrin admitted.

"General, why do you have that feeling? And why does Mr. Ballard remind you to be cautious and watch out for someone targeting

you? Does he already know something?" Darrin pondered, "But if he does know, why doesn't he clearly tell you? Instead, he

indirectly hints at it. What is he concerned about?"

Joyce let out a long sigh. "That's why | said he's hiding something from me."

"General, what should we do next?" Darrin asked. "Mr. Warner hasn't returned hin a week, and we can't ask him right now."

"Let's wait and see. | feel like the truth will cto light soon," Joyce suddenly sat up straight, her lips curving slightly.

Having experienced many storms, it was difficult for anything to affect her state of mind.

cup with a plan.

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