CEO's Passion: Love by Mistake

She decided to address him in a polite manner by calling him “Mr. Quinn.”

That was the best possible form of address.

To her surprise, Stanley seemed displeased to hear that.

Stanley didn't answer Joyce's question, for he couldn't tell her that she had gotten it wrong.

Previously, she would persistently refer to him as Stanley despite his frequent warnings not to do so, as it made him feel uncomfortable. Nevertheless, she had never stopped calling his name.

Eventually, he stopped trying to make her change.

He couldn't help but find it mocking that she was addressing him as “Mr. Quinn” now.

Is this my punishment for what I did to her?

Joyce felt a chill go down her spine at the sight of Stanley's twisted expression. Without realizing it, she had taken one step back to stay away from him.

Stanley's face clouded over again. “Are you afraid of me?”

Joyce shook her head before nodding. “I apologize, Mr. Quinn. I'm not afraid of you, but I think that my previous self might have been. When I saw you, the fear I felt before came flooding back, so it affected my current self. That is why I reacted as though I was afraid of you.”

Stanley narrowed his eyes as a bitter feeling rose in his heart.

He was crestfallen upon hearing her explanation and discovering that she was afraid of him.

I was unaware of the fact that my behavior was the source of her distress, causing her to become apprehensive and anxious about me.

Stanley felt bitter at that thought.

Before realizing his feelings for her, he wouldn't react to her words. In fact, he would be pleased to discover that she was afraid of him.

However, he had come to the realization that he had fallen deeply in love with her.

Instead of feeling pleased, he felt tormented upon discovering her fear of him.

Stanley even thought about apologizing to her, but the apology remained at the tip of his tongue, refusing to go past his lips.

“Mr. Quinn.” Joyce couldn't be bothered by whatever issue that was causing him to be discontented. She clasped her hands together tightly, as if to steel her nerves, and then bowed deeply in his direction. “I'm here to offer an apology, Mr. Quinn.”

Her polite form of address made Stanley frown yet again. He snapped in displeasure, “Why are you apologizing?”

Joyce stood up straight and explained, “Two days ago, my dad suddenly beat you up. I'm sorry about that.”

She bowed again and continued, “But Mr. Quinn, my dad acted out of anger, and he did not mean it. At that time, his emotions had taken control of his actions, and he was not in the right frame of mind. We are more than willing to cover any medical expenses as well as any other fees associated with your injury. All I ask is that you forgive my father. Is that acceptable to you?”