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?"

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.