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Since she didn't contact her former classmates in Astoria, they couldn't possibly have any idea about her
whereabouts at present. In other words, they couldn't be telling Stanley about that. Therefore, he probably went
over to Astoria for some other reason, not because of Joyce.
After hearing Natalie's clarification, Joyce bobbed her head as understanding dawned upon her. “I see. Don't worry,
Nat. Although I've forgotten Stanley and don't remember that I once loved him, I know he must be a reprehensible
person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have wanted to kill even his own child. As such, I wouldn't be so foolish as to simply
tell others my whereabouts. At the end of the day, neither of us is a fool. I'm worried that someone will tell others
about my whereabouts. In the same way, he knows to contact my past acquaintances to inquire about my
whereabouts. I'm now hiding from him, so I'll never take the initiative to contact anyone else other than you guys.”
“That's good. I can rest easy, then.” A smile of relief bloomed on Natalie's face.
Joyce smiled as well. “Besides, it doesn't matter even if he does learn about my whereabouts. I'm no longer my
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtmuddle-headed self in the past, who loved him to the point of having no dignity to speak of. Right now, I'm hard-
hearted and don't love him anymore. Even if he still harbors hatred against me and the Rivers family and wants me
to abort the baby, I won't agree. Instead, I'll fight him to the bitter end.”
Despite her firm declaration, Natalie felt no joy or gratification. Conversely, her brows furrowed. “Don't even think
of that, Joyce. You've said yourself earlier that you loved him to the point of no return in the past. Worse still, you
only forgot about him with the help of hypnosis. So, can you really be sure that you won't fall in love with him again
after meeting him once more? You can't predict such a thing. What would you do if that were to happen? Don't tell
me you'd then revert to your past self?”
Despite her firm declaration, Natalie felt no joy or gratification. Conversely, her brows furrowed. “Don't even think
of that, Joyce. You've said yourself earlier that you loved him to the point of no return in the past. Worse still, you
only forgot about him with the help of hypnosis. So, can you really be sure that you won't fall in love with him again
after meeting him once more? You can't predict such a thing. What would you do if that were to happen? Don't tell
me you'd then revert to your past self?”
“Um...” Words suddenly eluded Joyce, for she knew that Natalie was right.
Indeed, many things can't be left to chance. Ultimately, no one can predict the future. I might now claim that I
won't fall in love with him again, but what if it ends up being the polar opposite?
At that thought, a stab of pain assailed her. Out of the blue, a few scenes flashed across her mind.
While she couldn't make them out, she knew they were memories sealed away with hypnosis.
The moment they popped up, an inexplicable wave of devastating sorrow and pain surged within her.
Thus, it went without saying that they must be hurtful beyond words.
That aside, it was also evident that loving the man brought her great pain in the past, so much so that she couldn't
quite breathe.
Most importantly, she didn't want to experience such pain again.
Therefore, I can't ever meet him anymore!
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Sorry, Nat. You're right,” Joyce relented in embarrassment, massaging her temples.
Once more, a smile broke out on Natalie's face. “All right, I didn't mean to lecture you either. I was just worried.
Although you've now forgotten Stanley, you know you once loved him, so you feel curious about him. When a
woman is curious about a man, she'll inexorably pay him great attention and try to know him better. In the end,
you'll only fall in love with him again. As such, Joyce, I hope you don't grow curious about him, okay?”
“Don't worry, Nat. I understand.” Joyce nodded.
Humming in acknowledgment, Natalie replied, “I'm glad to hear that. Oh yes, there's something else I want to ask
you.”
“Go ahead.” Joyce inclined her head a fraction.
Meanwhile, Natalie massaged her temples. “I told you to decide on a suitable candidate to take over your position
back when you left J City, didn't I? It's been a long time, but you haven't given me a name.”
At that, Joyce smacked herself on the forehead. “Oh, that. Sorry, Nat, but I'm still in the process of doing so. There
are a few great candidates in the company, but since I'm to decide on one, I plan to put their information together
first and choose the most outstanding person. Regretfully, this isn't as simple as it sounds, so I'm not done with it
until now.”
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