Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 114: Don’t Want These? Looks Like You Want Me...

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Don’t Want These? Looks Like You Want Me...

Stella knew he was deliberately twisting words, couldn’t out-talk him, and was so annoyed she turned her head away again, resolved not to deal with this thick-skinned guy.

The elevator dinged as it reached the floor.

Shane carried her out, entered the password to open the door, his movements smooth and fluid.

Once inside the foyer, he placed Stella on the soft shoe bench, then knelt on one knee in front of her, holding her hand. He looked up at her still puffed-up profile, his tone finally more serious: "Come on, don’t be mad anymore. How about I give you a gift? What do you want?"

Stella snorted but said nothing.

Shane looked at her, his eyes calm.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Innovatech Bio’s stock performance is quite stable now. How about I give it to you?"

Stella jerked her head around, her eyes wide in disbelief, thinking she misheard.

Innovatech Bio?

That’s a trillion-dollar-valued industry giant on the Science and Technology Innovation Board, pursued by countless investors!

He says give it, and it’s given?!

Shane seemed oblivious to her shock, continuing in that bland tone, "Too small? If you prefer, The Donovan Group can be yours too. However..."

He paused, slightly regretful, "I haven’t fully inherited it yet. Once old Mr. Donovan lets go, I’ll transfer it to you at the first opportunity."

"..."

Stella was stunned, her mouth moved but no words came out for a long time.

This wasn’t a surprise; it was a shock!

"But the current Innovatech equity can be transferred to you." Shane said as he truly pulled out his phone from his pocket, his long fingers swiping on the screen a few times to find Elias Peyton’s number, dialing directly, "Elias Peyton, draft an equity transfer contract, for the forty percent Innovatech Bio shares I own..."

"Shane Donovan!" Stella finally snapped out of her daze, almost lunging forward to cover his mouth, her heart pounding wildly, both anxious and angry, "Are you crazy?!"

On the other end, Elias Peyton seemed stunned by this sudden directive too, his voice faintly audible through the receiver, "President Donovan? Did you say... forty percent of Innovatech..."

Shane had his mouth covered and could only make muffled sounds, but his gaze was smiling, unwaveringly fixed on the frantic, red-faced Stella in front of him.

Stella grabbed his phone, hurriedly explained to the still-confused Elias Peyton, "Counselor Peyton, it’s nothing, he’s joking, you carry on with your work!" Then quickly hung up the call.

Shane watched as Stella fumbled to hang up the call, her shocked and anxious expression making him chuckle quietly, his chest vibrating with laughter, which Stella could feel while tangled in his arms.

"Who said I was joking?" He pinched her flushed earlobe lightly with his fingers, his tone indulgently helpless, "What’s mine is yours, isn’t it?"

"You can’t just give it away like that!" Stella still in shock, glared at him, "Forty percent of Innovatech equity? Shane, do you know how much that is? You..."

"I know." Shane interrupted her, looking at her calmly, "But money isn’t important; your happiness is."

"..." Stella was speechless, choked by his brazen ’foolish king’ remarks.

She took a deep breath, attempting to reason with him, "Shane, we’re getting engaged, not merging companies! You should keep the equity, I don’t want it."

"Why don’t you want it?" Shane raised an eyebrow, seemingly perplexed, "Other fiancées are eager to grab hold of the groom’s assets, yet you’re pushing them away?"

"That’s them!" Stella said crossly, "I have hands and feet to earn money myself, what do I need so many shares for? To look at for fun?"

Shane watched her eyes grow ever brighter with agitation, like stars filled them, and couldn’t help but lean down to kiss her eyelids gently, "Hmm, our Stella is the most capable."

"Then you don’t want these..." He said, holding Stella’s hand against his chest, trailing downward, his voice husky and blurred, "Seems you want me instead..."

"..."

Stella’s cheeks turned bright red, "Shane Donovan!"

"Hmm, here!" Shane bent down, his dark eyes holding a sheen of moisture, "Save some energy, for later on the bed..."

"Hmm..."

The bedroom lights turned off at some point, amidst the rustle, the room was filled with warm spring light...

...

The rare sun of Crestfall’s winter cast a thin warmth.

With only three days left until the engagement party, Stella returned to Crestfall with Shane.

The Donovan Family’s old mansion was busier than usual, attendants bustling around in preparation for the upcoming engagement party.

As Shane’s car pulled into the mansion’s courtyard, Philip Donovan, who had just returned from abroad, quickly came out of the main residence, "Shane, home at last? Was the trip tiring?"

He rubbed his hands, his gaze glancing over Shane and landing on Stella, turning warmer, "Miss Sterling, oh no, soon to be called niece-in-law, welcome, welcome!"

Shane Donovan appeared indifferent, merely nodding slightly, "Second Uncle."

Not intending for much small talk, he briefly exchanged a few words before leading Stella Sterling to the study to see the old man, leaving Rhys Lennox feeling bored as he leaned against a pillar, playing on his phone.

Watching Shane Donovan’s figure disappear at the end of the hallway, the warm and humble smile on Philip Donovan’s face quickly vanished, his lips drooping downward, and a shadow of depression appearing in his eyes.

He turned around just in time to see his sister Beatrice Donovan walking out from the side room.

"Second Brother, Shane has arrived?" Beatrice Donovan glanced around.

"Hmph, arrived and with quite a display."

Philip Donovan spoke sourly, "Nowadays Shane is more impressive than ever, does he even care about us elders?"

Looking at her brother’s demeanor, Beatrice Donovan hurriedly comforted him, "Alright, Second Brother, Shane has always had that kind of personality, don’t take it to heart. Moreover, Shane is quite capable, and the Donovan Family does indeed rely on him now."

"Capable? Yes, capable!"

Philip Donovan scoffed and looked deliberately at Rhys Lennox, who was playing a game not far away, "With the vast Donovan Family, all they’re counting on now is Shane and Rhys Lennox, these two brothers. But with Shane leading the way, your Rhys can only get the leftovers."

Beatrice Donovan couldn’t help but frown.

Philip Donovan saw her expression and sighed heavily, patting her shoulder, "Little Sister, it’s not that I’m harsh. We all know Shane’s temperament is innately cold. No matter how excellent Rhys is, as long as Shane is in the Donovan Family, Rhys will be overshadowed and never have a chance to shine! Such a pity for the boy, I’ve heard he’s working at that small firm in Riveria? Can’t even get into Innovatech Bio’s doors..."

Beatrice Donovan’s face gradually darkened.

She had been dissatisfied with her son being sent to a small firm in Riveria as an assistant; now, provoked by Philip Donovan, her discontent and resentment ignited like oil-soaked paper touched by a spark.

She bit her lip, her voice stubborn in defense: "Brother, I don’t like hearing that! How is our Rhys any worse than Shane? He’s just young and hasn’t settled in yet! If we’re talking ability, he’s not necessarily inferior!"

Philip Donovan got exactly what he wanted with her words, a hint of success flashing in his eyes, yet he shook his head in feigned helplessness, "Alas, what’s the use of saying all this? Circumstances are stronger than people... The Donovan Family, ultimately, listens to Shane."

These words felt like a small poisoned barb, deeply piercing Beatrice Donovan’s heart, leaving her both angry and stifled, unable to refute, and she could only tightly clench the silk handkerchief in her hand.

...

Philip Donovan watched his sister’s reaction with satisfaction, knowing the seed had been planted, he didn’t say more, offered some pretended comfort, and then got up to leave.

His mood slightly improved, he hummed a tune as he walked back toward his courtyard.

However, upon returning to the courtyard where the second family resided, a cold document was presented to him.

It was his wife, Tina Hughes.

Tina Hughes wore a simple, elegant dark green qipao today, covered with a cashmere shawl, with a face free from makeup, her gaze sharp as a knife, lacking the gentle demeanor of the past.

"Sign here." Her voice was calm as she pushed the divorce agreement in front of him.

The color drained from Philip Donovan’s face in an instant, he looked incredulously at his wife: "Tin... Tina? What... what are you doing? Didn’t we agree on..."

"Agree on what?" Tina Hughes interrupted, her lips curling into a cold sneer, "Agree on staying childfree and supporting each other? Or agree on you keeping a mistress outside, even fathering a twenty-year-old illegitimate daughter, while treating me like a fool?"

With each word she spoke, Philip Donovan’s complexion turned a shade paler.

"Philip Donovan, I was truly blind to ever think you might be mediocre professionally, but at least sincere with people, and someone I could rely on." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Tina Hughes’ voice carried deep fatigue and disgust, "Never imagined you would act one way in public and be completely different behind the scenes, your hypocrisy sickens me!"

"No! Tina, listen to me!"

Philip Donovan panicked, trying to grab her hand but she avoided him with disdain, "I’ve completely cut ties with Audrey Quinn, I swear! Grace Quinn, that bastard, I absolutely won’t acknowledge! I’ve made a mistake, I truly know it now! Considering all these years I’ve been devoted to you, just give me one more chance! I promise I’ll never err again!"

He was incoherent, nearly kneeling to beg.

Watching him in such a spineless state, the last shred of hesitation in Tina Hughes disappeared.

She looked at him coldly, as if watching a foolish clown, pointing at the agreement, "Sign it. Or I won’t hesitate to have the Hughes Family talk to you directly. Then, it won’t be just a simple divorce agreement."

Mentioning the Hughes Family felt like a cold splash of water over Philip Donovan’s head, making him shiver.

More than anyone, he knew that his current status and position within The Donovan Group were solely due to the support of The Vance Family and The Hughes Family.

If the Hughes Family really intervenes... then he would certainly be finished!

Overwhelmed with fear and anger, Philip Donovan momentarily lost his senses.

He abruptly grabbed the divorce agreement, not bothering to glance at it, and tore it to shreds in a mad frenzy, scattering the pieces all over the ground!

"I won’t sign! Tina Hughes, don’t even think about it! I absolutely won’t divorce!" he snarled with a face distorted in fury.

Tina Hughes watched his hysterical posture, her eyes devoid of even the slightest ripple, left only with complete coldness.

Without another gaze at him, she picked up her handbag, her voice as cold as ice: "Since you’re refusing to sign, then we’ll see each other in court. Philip Donovan, you’d better take care of yourself."