CEO's Passion: Love by Mistake

Chapter 1601

It was great that Stanley had realized his feelings for Joyce and wished to explore a relationship with her, but would Joyce necessarily share his sentiments? If she fell in love with him again and remembered their past, could she forgive everything and accept his feelings?

If Natalie was in her friend's shoes, she might not be so magnanimous.

She just got over someone who hurt her in the past. Now, he does an about-turn and claims to love her? Oh, the irony! He didn't reciprocate her feelings and instead humiliated her, but now that she has gotten over him, he decides he would like to date her after all! Isn't he playing with her emotions?

That was Natalie's biggest concern.

Joyce was clearly unaware of the debate happening in her friend's mind. She cocked her head questioningly and asked, “What are you saying, Natalie? He might not allow me to leave him alone? But why not?”

“Nothing. Ignore me,” Natalie said with a sigh.

She was not about to reveal Stanley's epiphany to Joyce.

Joyce might become curious or consider making things up with Stanley. What if she approaches a hypnotist to recover her memories?

The best-case scenario would be Joyce forgiving Stanley's ill-treatment in the past and embarking on a relationship with him, wholly quashing Natalie's concerns.

However, if she wanted to be with Stanley but could not forgive his past actions, she would find herself in an emotional purgatory. C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.

Natalie could not predict Joyce's reaction and thought it most prudent to keep the truth of Stanley's feelings to herself.

Maybe Joyce should learn about it herself. She might be more accepting of the outcome. I'm sure Stanley has some grand plan to win her over too. If he truly wishes to be with her, at least.

Nonetheless, Natalie's hemming and hawing raised Joyce's suspicion. She questioned, “What are you hiding from me? Don't leave me hanging. Spill.”

Natalie smiled placatingly and replied, “I'm not keeping you in suspense. I just... ah, forget it. You'll know about it sooner or later.”

“Fine. You won't tell me anything even if I insist.” Joyce stuck her tongue out pettily.

Natalie shifted in her seat and checked her watch. “Well, it's getting late, Joyce. I've still got some things to do, so I'll catch up with you soon. Call me anytime.”

Joyce nodded and said her goodbyes. “I won't keep you, then. Bye.”

“Bye.”

A deep sigh escaped Natalie once she hung up.

How could this happen?

Natalie was surprised by Stanley's rather easy acceptance of his feelings for Joyce.

She recalled what Shane told her about his conversation with Stanley. Shane said Stanley appeared somewhat disdainful upon learning of his past feelings for Joyce.

The information fueled Natalie's concerns over Stanley's complete rejection of the truth.

He clearly thought Shane was feeding him a load of bull, judging by his disdainful expression.

After all, Stanley hated the Rivers family and, by association, Joyce. Falling for his enemy must have sounded like a joke.

How the tables have turned. Stanley seemed to have come to terms with his feelings for Joyce and was potentially considering a relationship with her.

Natalie had no idea what was going through his head.

She wondered if he could truly overlook his hatred toward the Rivers family if he began dating Joyce.

And if he failed to do so yet insisted on being with Joyce, the couple would have an extremely rocky path ahead of them.

Why don't I ask Shane to send someone to probe Stanley's motives?

The thought had barely crossed her mind before she stamped it out.

She shook her head in resignation.

There was another possibility—Stanley himself had no idea what to do. He only knew he loved Joyce but could not accept that she had forgotten about him. Perhaps the only thing at the forefront of his mind was to help Joyce remember him before he tackled his thorny history with the Rivers family.