Female Novel
Chapter 1708: Seems to Like You
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. I 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 I haven't known Mr. Warner for long, I 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 I 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?"novelbin
Joyce pondered for a moment before replying, "I don't want to assume anything. 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, I 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? I 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 become a father, and I want him to have some
peaceful days. He has helped me too much before, and I owe him so much. I don't want to trouble him
anymore."
Darrin smiled slightly, "General, now you have me. I know a thing or two about criminal investigation
and counterintelligence."
Joyce waved her hand, "Not for now. Christian's words, I 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. I 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 I see overwhelming grief in Christian's eyes?"
"Perhaps the passage of time has made the emotions fade?" Darrin questioned.
"It shouldn't. When I 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 I 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, I feel...
Christian seems to like you."
"What nonsense," Joyce rolled her eyes and playfully slapped Darrin's arm.
"That's not nonsense, I 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 same heart-
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. I mean, I feel like Christian is hiding something from me. He didn't finish what
he wanted to say," Joyce said indignantly.
"Oh, that. I 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 I said he's hiding something from me."
"General, what should we do next?" Darrin asked. "Mr. Warner hasn't returned home in a week, and we
can't ask him right now."
"Let's wait and see. I feel like the truth will come to 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.
Take one step at a time, consider the situation, and then come up with a plan.
That seemed to be the most appropriate approach for now.