Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Eliminating Hidden Dangers (8) Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Eliminating Hidden Dangers (8) ——Divider——

Joyce Lopez drove slowly, “Miss Carolline, let me take you straight to your destination.”

“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?” Carolline was surprised. She thought Joyce would drop her off at a place where she could catch a taxi.

“No trouble at all. I have something to discuss with you.” Joyce smiled, treating Carolline with the attitude of handling a public relations crisis.

“Well, Miss Lopez, feel free to say whatever you want.” Carolline faced her with a smile. She had intentionally proposed to ride in Joyce’s car to clarify certain things between them, as she didn’t want to experience another Matilda Ferguson situation.

It didn’t matter when she was alone, but now she had a precious baby inside her and had to prioritize her and the baby’s safety over everything else. She wouldn’t tolerate anyone hurting her again.

From now on, she would learn self-protection. If Joyce was a threat, she would find her own way to eliminate it for herself and her child.

“I heard that Miss Carolline is very smart, so why don’t you guess?” Joyce pursed her lips, not wanting to initiate the conversation. After all, her feelings for Bryan Hawkins were still a secret, and she didn’t care if others guessed them as long as she didn’t admit it.

“…Let me give it a try.” Carolline was no fool, but she didn’t like to be overly opinionated. Even if her opinions were correct, she wouldn’t voice them, “Miss Lopez wants to talk about the relationship between Bryan and me and his family, right?”

“…” Joyce didn’t respond but gave Carolline an affirming look, admiring her intelligence.

“I do like Big Brother Bryan, but it’s just my unrequited love. Our acquaintance began by chance, and in about ten days, I’ll be leaving for the countryside. I don’t know when I’ll return. So, I don’t consider myself your rival or enemy, Miss Lopez. I have no reason to object or express any disagreement with your feelings for Big Brother Bryan. Your love is worth pursuing, especially considering the close relationship between your families, right?”

“As for Camelia’s jokes tonight, she unintentionally discovered my feelings for him and wanted to help me. But after all this time, Big Brother Bryan has never given me any response. I hope this makes things clear to you, Miss Lopez?”

“…” Joyce attentively observed Carolline’s expressions while she spoke. She admitted that Carolline was sincere and trustworthy, matching her own thoughts. She was willing to believe her, “I understand, but I think Brother Bryan cares about you a lot.”

“Miss Lopez misunderstands. Big Brother Bryan is grateful to my father for helping his grandfather in the hospital and for treating his leg injury. So, the Hawkins Family appreciates my father, and by extension, treats me well because of that.”

Carolline earnestly explained her situation, not wanting Joyce to focus on her, especially during her time in the countryside. She hoped to live a peaceful life, give birth to their child safely, and make up for some of her lifetime regrets with the child, even if she never got what she wanted most.

“I see, I knew you couldn’t be the type that Brother Bryan would like. Compared to Matilda Ferguson, you’re far behind.” Joyce finally felt reassured and spoke straightforwardly.

Carolline knew this was the truth but didn’t argue. She indeed lacked Matilda’s beauty, which could be the reason for Bryan’s indifference. He probably only accepted her out of gratitude.

And then there was her first time – Bryan wanted to take responsibility for her. Carolline knew he was a good man, but she didn’t want a marriage based solely on responsibility. If he met a woman who deeply loved him in the future, she would bless him.

“Miss Carolline, are you angry? I—” Seeing that Carolline didn’t respond, Joyce apologized.

“I’m not. Miss Lopez is straightforward and direct. You’re only stating the facts, so why would I be angry? I wish you all the best, Miss Lopez,” Carolline said, offering her deep blessings to demonstrate her open-mindedness.

“Thank you, and I wish you a smooth journey.” Joyce had no more doubts about Carolline and would devote her full attention to pursuing Bryan Hawkins. With Carolline leaving soon, she hoped her love life would become smoother.

“Carolline, can I call you Carolline?” After driving a little further and quiet for a while, Joyce suddenly spoke again.

Carolline, who had been relieved, was on edge again. She understood Joyce’s intention to befriend her but declined firmly, “Miss Lopez, although I’m no longer your rival, my feelings for Big Brother Bryan are real, and I can’t control when I’ll let them go. I bless you, but I won’t like you. I don’t think we can ever be friends.”

“…” Joyce was stunned for a moment before laughing, “Carolline, you’re really interesting. If we hadn’t fallen for the same man, I would have liked to be friends with you. It’s such a twist of fate.”

“…” Carolline didn’t want to reply. She had never been a scheming person, but for the sake of the baby in her belly, she reluctantly uttered so many disgusting words.

But if Joyce turned out to be the next Matilda Ferguson, she couldn’t imagine what accidents could befall her and the child due to Joyce’s family background. What would happen to her if the baby was gone?

It was a risk she couldn’t take.

She had to ensure the safety of herself and her child, so she was sorry, Big Brother.

“We’ve arrived, Carolline.” As Carolline’s thoughts wandered, Joyce’s voice rang out again, startling her.

Carolline snapped back to reality, got out of the car, and said, “Thank you, Miss Lopez.”

With no further goodbye, Carolline hoped for no further interaction with Joyce, and whether Bryan would accept her, she only hoped that Joyce wouldn’t blame her in the future.

She could only be this cautious now.