You Hit My Heart by Kylie Stanford

Chapter 1707: Hiding Something from Me?

He clenched his fists, his expression turning sinister.

"They're both dead, yet they still refuse to admit it. Felix kept boasting that he had evidence to prove Luther's innocence, but he

could never produce the evidence. In my opinion, he was just talking nonsense. Felix, he was Luther's friend, but wasn't he mine

too? We had been close since childhood, our families were intertwined. Lives were at stake, so why did he always side with

Luther?"

"So, you cut ties with Felix later?" Joyce put down her cup. "Vicki has been working for Nightfall. Is it related to all this?"

"Yes," Christian nodded. "I've always wanted to find the evidence Felix mentioned. | wanted to know if he was fabricating stories or

if such evidence truly existed."

"And you never found it, did you?" Joyce asked again.

"Let it go. | don't want to bring up the past anymore," Christian's enchanting eyes narrowed, reflecting an unusual light.

Joyce carefully observed the changes in Christian's demeanor.

Something felt off to her.

"Thank you for tellingall this. | didn't intend to disturb you, but it's better to resolve conflicts than let them fester. I'll do my

best to provide you with an explanation for your doubts," Joyce finished her tea and made a promise.

Christian looked at her, it had been a long time. She was even more beautiful and charming than before, radiating an irresistible

aura. It was evident that she was doing well.

He felt a bit displeased. "Why would | need you to explain things to me?"

Looking him up and down, he asked, "Is he treating you well?"

Before Joyce could answer, he continued, "If he's not treating you well, you're welcto return to my side. You know, | don't mind

your past. | respect your choices." With that, he even opened his arms, gesturing as if to embrace her.

Darrin nearly choked on his own saliva. He didn't expect Christian to be so explicit. He felt uneasy, avoiding eye contact, not

knowing where to look.

Joyce glared at Christian speechlessly.

Such words, Christian had said them before, always half-serious and half-jokingly, and she never took them seriously.

But today was different.

She carefully examined Christian, his dark eyes almost solidified, calm and devoid of any playful elements. On the contrary, his

expression was serious.

"Heh," Joyce smiled, "Mr. Ballard, as usual."

She paused. "I'm sorry for what happened to your sister. | didn't expect you to have such a painful past. Thank you for telling me. |

have other matters to attend to, so | will take my leave."

Standing up, she gave a slight nod of gratitude to Christian.

Suddenly, Christian stood up and grabbed Joyce's wrist. "Wait."

Joyce looked at him, puzzled.

"You know about Luther's first love and the despicable things he did. Why don't you react at all? | thought you would at least feel

disappointed or heartbroken. Knowing that he once had someone else in his heart, aren't you even a little bit upset? Doesn't it

hurt?" Christian pulled Joyce closer, scrutinizing her gaze.

From her clear eyes, he couldn't see any panic or fluctuations.

He couldn't understand.

If you deeply love someone, how could you not mind?

Joyce replied, "What has happened cannot be changed. We can only strive for the future, besides..."

She didn't continue.

"What besides?" Christian frowned.

Joyce shook her head. "It's nothing."

"Joyce," Christian hesitated for a moment, then decided to speak, "Khebury has been restless lately. Be careful, as someone might

target you. Since there is someone protecting you, make sure they stay by your side."

With that, he glanced deeply at Darrin.

Darrin nodded, promising to fulfill his duty. It was something he should do.

Joyce observed Christian with a scrutinizing gaze for a moment.

Finally, she asked, "Christian, are you hiding something important from me?"

Christian hesitated, his eyes avoiding her piercing gaze.

Yes, he was definitely hiding something from her.

Athena didn't actually die. She woke up.

He recalled the day he saw Athena.

He was so angry that he slapped her. He had always doted on her, treating her like a princess, unwilling to let her suffer the

slightest harm. His impression of her had always been filled with her bright and splendid side. Quiet, innocent, and shy-no words

could fully describe her beauty.

But he hadn't expected that Athena was the mastermind behind OGW. She stood against him, even against the entire Ballard

family. What had happened to her? Why did she wake up after ten years in a coma, completely changed?

Before, he had never seenher get angry, let alone curse at someone. She had always been gentle and polite, completely different

from the cunning and ruthless side she now displayed. He couldn't imagine how she had transformed into her current self.

Or maybe she had always been like this, and he had never truly understood her.

He used to be so sure, but now he was filled with uncertainty.

He struggled for a moment but ultimately didn't reveal the fact that Athena hadn't died.

He wanted to handle the matters concerning the Ballard family himself.

Whatever Athena wanted to do, it was the responsibility of the Ballard Group to stop her. If she wanted to harm Joyce, he would do

everything in his power to prevent it.

"No," Christian denied, "I'm not hiding anything from you. Joyce, take care of yourself, and contactif anything happens."

Joyce's gaze lingered on Christian for a moment, and she nodded gently. "I will. I'm leaving now. We'll see each other again

sometime."

With that, she and Darrin left together.

Christian didn't see them off. After they left, he turned to look outside the window. It was pitch black, and only the gnarled

branches trembled in the night wind, creating an eerie sight.

His mood grew even heavier. Joyce had suspected something. If she had approached him about the past, it meant she had caught

on to sclues. He didn't want anything to happen to her, and he would never allow Athena to harm her.

He had to protect her, just like four years ago.

With that in mind, he picked up his phone and ordered his subordinates, "Keep a close eye on Athena, observe her daily activities.

And spread the word, she is not allowed to use the influence of the Ballard family. No one should follow anyone's orders except

mine."

After hanging up, he took a deep breath. His once intense obsession with Athena seemed to have faded with time. Even when he

saw Athena wake up and stand up again, he couldn't muster any excitement.

All that remained was the heartache caused by Athena's deception.

sed, emerged in his mind. Unconsciously, a smile appeared on his lips.

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