CEO's Passion: Love by Mistake

“That's none of your concern,” Stanley replied, his tone icy cold. “You just need to answer my question. Where are they?”

Shane smiled sardonically. “I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that. Joyce and her family are important people to my wife. Naturally, I must protect them. Besides, their departure is a good thing for you, isn't it?”

“Good thing?” Stanley gave a grim chuckle. “How is that a good thing?”

“Isn't it so?” Shane placed his coffee down and met his gaze calmly. “You hate Joyce and her family because you think they caused the deaths of your parents. That is why you refuse to accept Joyce and the child in her belly even if the child is yours.”

“Enough,” Stanley growled, his features contorted with rage. “Get to the point.”

Shane leaned back. “I just want to show you how it's a good thing that they have disappeared from your life, given the contempt you hold for them. You don't have to look at them anymore, and they won't ever show themselves before you. You can even pretend the child growing in Joyce's belly isn't yours. That way, you can assume that the Rivers are all dead and won't be reminded of your parents' deaths whenever you set eyes on them. Isn't that ideal?”

“What are you talking about? It's nothing like what you said!” Stanley suddenly became very agitated.

Shane remained as cool as ever. “Isn't it? Please enlighten me, then. Joyce and her family are gone and will never appear before you again. You can think of them as dead and can finally put that grudge of yours to rest as you won't see them anymore. Why are you getting so worked up?”

Stanley's gaze quivered.

He's right. Why am I getting so worked up? Indeed, the disappearance of Joyce and her family should bring me joy as they will never appear before me again. I could pretend that this family no longer exists. So why am I filled with rage instead of joy? Rage at Joyce, perhaps, for not saying goodbye and for leaving.

Shane suppressed a chuckle at Stanley's scowl. “What's the matter? Struck a chord, have I? To tell you the truth, Stanley, you have no right to hate the Rivers.”

“What are you talking about?” Stanley turned surlier. “Why shouldn't I hate the Rivers? They were the ones who forced my parents to their deaths and you're telling me I have no right to hate them? What gives you the right to say that?”

“The fact that I have investigated the incident in the past.” Shane interlocked his fingers and placed his hands on his stomach as he spoke. “I'd found out a dozen or so years ago how the Rivers had exerted themselves to hide your family and buy the three of you some more time. Without the help of the Rivers, the Quinns would have been annihilated long ago, and you wouldn't have survived. The Rivers are innocent of the crime you accuse them for. In fact, they are your saviors.”