Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 145: Craving What Cannot Be Had, Birth of Delusions

Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Craving What Cannot Be Had, Birth of Delusions

Shane Donovan didn’t even lift his eyelids; a cold smile played on his lips. "Innovatech’s legal matters don’t require your concern, Uncle."

Philip Donovan seemed to have anticipated his refusal, earnest and persuasive, "Shane, I know you have great trust in Elias Peyton, but Attorney Hawthorne is top-notch in international intellectual property. With his involvement, Innovatech Bio would greatly benefit."

He paused, glancing pointedly at Stella Sterling, "Moreover, Attorney Hawthorne and Stella are old acquaintances, their cooperation would surely be more... harmonious."

The underlying jab in his words was painfully obvious.

Stella Sterling’s brows furrowed.

Shane Donovan finally looked up, his gaze like a knife edge dipped in ice, slowly scraping across Philip Donovan’s face.

"Uncle," he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table, "my company is not your playground."

"As for Jasper," he curled his lips into a cold, emotionless arc, "tell him to scram."

Three words, resonating with power.

Philip Donovan’s fake smile froze completely, a flicker of menace flashed in his eyes.

He hadn’t expected Shane Donovan to forego even basic civility and tear off the mask so directly.

"Fine... fine..." Philip Donovan gritted his molars, squeezing out words through clenched teeth, "Since you insist, I won’t say more. Just hope you don’t regret it!"

He abruptly stood up, the chair legs screeching against the floor, and stormed out, dragging Beatrice Donovan along.

The meeting room fell into a brief deathly silence, with other executives even more stiff and silent, not daring to breathe.

...

Philip Donovan returned to the villa, violently knocking over a celadon vase at the entrance.

Shards of porcelain scattered, reflecting his twisted face.

"Well played, Shane Donovan..." he ripped off his tie, malice in his eyes, "If you can’t be kind, don’t blame your uncle for being ruthless."

He turned to Beatrice Donovan, "So, did you contact those people?"

Beatrice Donovan followed him nervously, "Second Brother, are we really going through with this? Shane just came back, you’ve seen his methods, what if..."

"What if what?" Philip Donovan abruptly turned, eyes fierce, "Wait for him to crush us entirely when he has the chance? He’s cut off all my paths; he won’t let me even touch Innovatech! Do you expect me to sit by while he kicks me out, leaving me with nothing?"

Breathing heavily, his chest heaved, "No matter how powerful Shane Donovan is, he has a weakness. His heart may be hard as stone, but its one weak spot is tied to that girl Stella Sterling!"

Beatrice Donovan still seemed scared, "But... but kidnapping is illegal! What if Shane finds out..."

"Who’s talking about kidnapping?" Philip Donovan smirked coldly, "It’s Attorney Jasper’s unrequited obsession, a desperate act he chose. What’s it got to do with us?"

"But..."

He no longer listened to Beatrice Donovan, directly pulling out his phone, finding Jasper Hawthorne’s number and dialing it.

The call connected quickly.

"Attorney Hawthorne, have you thought it over?"

Philip Donovan walked to the window, looking out at the heavy night, "Join forces, each for our own need. You want Stella, I want Shane Donovan to bow out. Once it’s done, I’ll save you a spot in Innovatech’s legal department."

A moment of silence on the other side.

"...you guarantee," Jasper Hawthorne’s voice was hoarse and dry, resolute with a desperate finality, "you won’t harm her. Not a single hair."

Philip Donovan’s lips curved in a successful smirk, yet his tone was exceedingly sincere, "Of course. I’m merely setting up an opportunity for Attorney Hawthorne to have a private talk with Stella, to resolve misunderstandings. The location is an apartment under my name in The Sudwell Apartments... very safe..."

"...Okay." Jasper Hawthorne closed his eyes, pushing the word out through his throat.

Hanging up, the smile vanished instantly from Philip Donovan’s face.

He gestured for his confidant, whispering instructions, "Make preparations at The Sudwell Apartments, install hidden cameras, and fetch some ’good stuff’..."

Beatrice Donovan was shocked, "Second Brother, what ’good stuff’? Didn’t you promise not to harm Stella?"

"Women’s compassion!" Philip Donovan impatiently glared at her, "Without a strong move, how do we hold Jasper completely in our grasp? Once he ’touches’ Stella, with the video in hand, would he dare defy us? Eventually, he has no choice but to strike at Shane Donovan, is that so?"

A flash of malice crossed his eyes.

If they’re going to play, they’ll play big.

The two schemed their vicious plans in the study, failing to notice a shadow silently leaving from the half-open door...

...

Meanwhile, Jasper Hawthorne squeezed the phone he had just hung up, his gaze filled with complexity.

Philip Donovan’s words swirled in his mind like a curse.

—Each for our own need. You want Stella.

He wants Stella.

Just the thought of Stella by Shane Donovan’s side clutched his heart like poison ivy, a suffocating pain.

He pulled out his phone; the screen displayed an old photo from years ago.

In the photo, Stella wore a graduation gown, leaning into his arms, her smile warm and vibrant.

Back then, her eyes were only on him.

Why?

Just because he missed a chance, Shane Donovan got ahead?

Everything Shane Donovan could do, he could do!

He could even... die for her!

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, half-smoked cigarette in his fingers, ash drifted down.

The phone screen still displayed the call record with Philip Donovan.

The last message was the address Philip Donovan sent.

He closed his eyes, Stella’s face flashed before him.

He extinguished the cigarette, its spark stinging his fingertip with faint pain.

—One last time.

He told himself.

Just this last time.

If she still doesn’t turn back...

He swallowed the bitterness.

Then he’ll completely exit her life.

...

Early the next morning, Riveria was shrouded in a drizzling winter rain, the sky was gray, and the air was damp and chilly.

Stella Sterling entered Serene Law Firm, still carrying the chill from outside.

She removed her coat, which was soaked on the shoulders by rain, habitually glancing at the desk near the window—

Empty.

The desk was exceptionally tidy; even the half-dead pothos he’d casually left there was nowhere in sight.

Only a black biker jacket hung carelessly over the back of the chair.

She felt a strange unease: Rhys Lennox, though laid-back, was never late.

"Finn Lockwood." She called out.

Finn Lockwood emerged from the pantry, holding a stack of documents, quickly approaching, "Boss, morning."

"Where’s Rhys Lennox?" Stella nodded towards the empty desk, "He’s not here yet?"

Finn Lockwood paused, "Rhys Lennox? Didn’t he tell you? He resigned, said he’s going abroad, his flight’s this afternoon."

Resigned?

Going abroad?

So suddenly?

She pulled out her phone, found Rhys Lennox’s number, and dialed.

The receiver emitted a long busy signal, unanswered.

Meanwhile, Rhys Lennox’s apartment was in disarray.

Rhys Lennox was shirtless, wearing only camo cargo pants, haphazardly stuffing the last few clothes into a huge black suitcase.

His signature blond hair was loosely tied back with a band, fine beads of sweat appeared at his hairline, highlighting the fluid yet powerful lines of his muscles as he moved.

The phone stubbornly vibrated on the bedside table, ’Stella’ flashing on the screen.

He didn’t stop, not even glancing at it, letting it ring until it automatically disconnected...