Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 14: Going Easy

Shane Donovan saw Stella Sterling remain silent, suddenly chuckled softly, tapped the table with his finger, "Enough with the pleasantries... what kind of evidence do you think establishes subjective malice, Counselor Sterling?"

Stella felt her throat tighten; truly, the so-called subjective malice or goodwill is precisely where lawyers can intervene with a sly argument.

It’s also the breakthrough point.

Yet Shane Donovan targeted the weak points from the start, practically leaving her no room to maneuver!

However, giving up halfway wasn’t in Stella’s nature.

Helplessly, she could only list the points with determination.

These were the only loopholes she found after three days and nights of scouring through materials.

Not hoping for an unlikely victory, just wishing not to lose too miserably.

"Hmm, well reasoned."

"???"

Was Shane Donovan insane?

How could her sly argument be considered reasonable?!

She didn’t even know what was reasonable about it...

Seeing Stella’s baffled expression, Shane Donovan slightly curved his lips, "Did your firm review the defendant company’s financial statements before taking this case?"

Under his pressing gaze, Stella nodded as she pushed the documents across the table, "Innovatech’s claim for a five million compensation is calculated based on ten times the average sales over the past three years."

She took a deep breath, feeling Shane Donovan’s invasive gaze, making her shiver down her back, "But according to Article 65 of the Patent Law, it allows others to implement a patent if the patent holder is unwilling or unable to implement it, promoting the application and dissemination of technology."

"Therefore, considering my company’s subjective goodwill, my suggestion is to control the compensation within one million as reasonable..."

Shane Donovan rubbed the watch on his wrist, turned to Elias Peyton, "Counselor Peyton, what do you think?"

Elias Peyton: "..."

—He doesn’t want to think.

It must be said, Stella’s angle is indeed shrewd. No wonder she has been around Jasper Hawthorne for so many years; he really underestimated this little girl!

While Elias Peyton silently mocked, Shane Donovan tapped the table, "Since Counselor Peyton thinks there’s no issue, let’s proceed according to Counselor Sterling’s suggestion..."

"!!!"

Elias Peyton was almost about to go crazy.

Had he not yet spoken?

How did it become a no issue?

"President Donovan, I think..."

But before Elias Peyton could speak, Shane Donovan suddenly curled his lips and looked at Stella, "Have you contacted your big brother recently?"

These words just fell, a silence enveloped the room.

Even Stella was taken aback.

What did it mean?

Just casual chatting?

Or preparing to deliver a fatal blow to her?

Why suddenly bring up her big brother?

Isn’t he and her brother at odds?

Seeing her not speak, the atmosphere in the conference room subtly changed.

Finn Lockwood lowered his eyes, quickly nudged her knee under the table.

Only then did Stella return to her senses, "Not yet..."

"Then you might want to contact him. I heard he’s been doing well recently, expanding overseas markets successfully, and his reputation has reached domestically."

The air in the conference room seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Shane Donovan’s few words made everyone present have various thoughts.

Elias Peyton was, naturally, the first.

He had been around Shane Donovan for years, too familiar with the kind of rivalry between his great boss and the Sterling family’s eldest— like enemies meeting.

How could President Donovan sincerely praise Aidan Sterling?

Mentioning him without sarcasm is like the sun rising from the west!

His suspicious gaze roamed between Shane Donovan and Stella, trying to find some clues.

Could it be.... President Donovan is interested in this lady from the Sterling family?

Impossible, right?

His boss is famously aloof from women, for so many years he hasn’t seen a single female companion around him; it’s always rumored his sexual orientation is questionable...

Besides, Stella is the sister of a rival...

At this time, Stella, being stared at by dozens of pairs of eyes, only felt her back chill, and could only brace herself, "Thank you, President Donovan, I will..."

Shane Donovan faintly curled his lips, the smile was very light but instantly softened some of his surrounding coldness, even making the small vermilion mole at the corner of his eye seem somewhat lively.

He no longer looked at her, turning his gaze to Elias Peyton, fingers unconsciously rubbing the watch strap on his wrist, speaking with the same detached tone as before, "Counselor Peyton, draft the settlement agreement for one million."

"President Donovan..." Elias Peyton almost blurted out, face full of disagreement, "This... this isn’t right, if we set a bad precedent, similar cases in the future..."

"Weren’t you without objections a moment ago?" Shane Donovan interrupted him, his tone flat.

"..."

Elias Peyton felt like spitting blood.

Wasn’t he without objections?

He simply wasn’t given a chance to speak at all, okay?!

Moreover, the advantage was obviously theirs, even with Stella’s clever arguments, they could still push further, no need to compromise.

Most importantly— if today’s matter gets publicized, future infringement cases would not explode?

"President Donovan, I think..."

But before he could finish, Shane Donovan raised his hand, "The law ultimately serves human affairs, and the legal and emotional grounds provided by Counselor Sterling are thorough enough. Moreover, cutting losses promptly with certain compensation aligns better with business logic than engaging in lengthy litigation."

His words were justifiably grandiose, complimenting Stella’s professional ability while presenting business logic, simply impeccable.

Yet Elias Peyton’s mind was clear— this is precisely favoritism!

And it was like pouring an entire Pacific Ocean of favoritism!

Though inwardly lamenting, he didn’t dare to refute further.

Having been with Shane Donovan for years, he understood his boss too well— seemingly casual, yet possessing unquestionable authority with no room for negotiation.

He could only grudgingly reply, "Yes, President Donovan, I understand."

Taking a deep breath, turning to Stella and Finn Lockwood, reluctantly regaining the composure of a professional lawyer, though his tone was inevitably stiff: "Counselor Sterling, since President Donovan has spoken, let’s follow this plan. We will draft the settlement agreement swiftly, and the compensation amount will be one million, paid in one sum. Hope your client can also promptly fulfill the promise, cease infringement, and sign relevant documents."

Sudden turn of events!

Stella could hardly believe her ears!

She had been preparing for the worst outcome, even thinking of where to find the next potential client, unexpected... it truly became reality?

Immense joy mingled with an indescribable strangeness, she instinctively glanced at Shane Donovan, only to unexpectedly meet his ink-colored eyes...

Momentarily dazed, clearly not anticipating him to be looking at her too.

Contemplating whether to respond with a full smile of friendliness, Shane Donovan lowered his gaze again, focusing on the fingers rubbing the watch face, just revealing the firm cold lines of his profile, as if the earlier eye contact was merely a mirage.

While Stella was preoccupied, Finn Lockwood quickly stood up seeing his boss not speaking, "Certainly! Many thanks to President Donovan and Counselor Peyton! We will definitely cooperate fully, urging the client to quickly sign the agreement, ensuring not to cause your company any further trouble!"

The subsequent process became exceptionally smooth.

Elias Peyton efficient as ever, promptly had his assistant prepare a preliminary settlement agreement framework.

Both parties engaged in brief discussions over detailed clauses, basically reaching consensus quickly within Shane Donovan’s tacit approval.

Signing, Stella felt somewhat dazed.

Striving to concentrate, scrutinizing every clause, confirming accuracy, before signing her name in the attorney spot for the subsidiary.

The nib scratched the paper, emitting a rustling sound.

As she completed the final stroke, Elias Peyton’s phone on the table suddenly vibrated.

Stella instinctively glanced, seeing a name flash she knew all too well—

Jasper.