Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 84: Don’t You Want to Know the Truth?

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Don’t You Want to Know the Truth?

Aidan strode into the living room, his black coat carrying the outdoor chill. His footsteps barely paused when his gaze landed on Shane Donovan sitting next to Stella Sterling; frost instantly layered his eyes, and the pressure in the room dropped sharply.

"Brother, you’re back," Stella stood up.

Aidan made a sound of acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping between her and Shane, finally settling on Shane, and the corners of his lips curled into a smile without warmth, "President Donovan."

Shane rose gracefully, still exuding an aristocratic air, "President Sterling, long time no see."

The two tall men stood side by side, one sharp and cold, the other composed and profound. Though their faces were expressionless, invisible sparks seemed to crackle in the air.

The scent of gunpowder instantly spread.

Isla Sutton keenly sensed the off atmosphere and interjected with a smile, "Aidan’s return is timely. Shane is discussing the details of the engagement banquet with us. You should give some advice as well."

Aidan handed his coat to Uncle Sean, then sat on the single sofa on Stella’s other side, his long legs crossed in a seemingly relaxed manner, but his eyes sharply swept over Shane.

"Details?" He scoffed, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest. "President Donovan is quite accomplished, even managing to turn a sly old fox like Julian Sullivan to his advantage, using him to clean the house. Someone like him should easily handle the mere details of an engagement banquet, no?"

His words, dripping with sarcasm, directly referenced Shane’s recent turmoil at Innovatech Bio.

Stella furrowed her brows, instinctively looking at Shane.

Shane rubbed the warm cup wall, not lifting his lashes, "President Sterling overpraises. Just some hands reaching too far, which require cutting off. Compared to President Sterling’s covert tactics, my self-defense measures are nothing."

He lifted his eyes, his gaze calm yet exerting invisible pressure, "Speaking of which, thanks to President Sterling for the opportunity."

Aidan’s expression instantly darkened.

Using Julian Sullivan was indeed his plan—hoping to use him as a pawn. But Shane turned the tables, not only eliminating the thorns within Innovatech but also making Aidan unwittingly play the villain.

"Sharp-tongued," Aidan spat through his teeth, his gaze unyielding, "Shane Donovan, that’s all you have left—your skill in twisting black and white."

"Not as good as President Sterling," Shane replied casually, "getting used as a pawn and yet feeling clever."

"You—!"

Seeing the tension between them escalating, Isla quickly intervened, "Alright, alright, let the past stay past. We’re family; we will be seeing each other often. Why the confrontation?"

Theodore Sterling also spoke in a grave tone, "Aidan, Shane is a guest."

Aidan’s chest heaved slightly as he took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging anger, turning his face away, no longer looking at Shane.

Shane, sensing the ceasefire, picked up his teacup again, lowering his gaze to enjoy the tea, as if the previous clash had never occurred.

The atmosphere in the living room grew somewhat heavy.

After sitting for a while longer, Shane stood to take his leave.

Theodore and Isla courteously saw him to the door.

Stella got up to follow him out, but Aidan grabbed her wrist.

"Stella," Aidan’s voice was deep, "I have something to say to you."

Stella frowned, looking to Shane.

Shane’s gaze halted momentarily on Aidan’s grip on Stella’s hand, his eyes darkening briefly, but it quickly faded. "It’s cold outside; don’t come out."

After Shane left, Theodore and Isla exchanged a glance, knowing the siblings had something to discuss, and excused themselves to the study upstairs.

The expansive living room was left with just Stella and Aidan.

Stella shook off Aidan’s hand, rubbing her wrist that had turned red, "Brother, what do you want to tell me?"

Aidan looked at the red mark on her wrist, his gaze complex. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, his eyes were clear. "You want to know the truth, don’t you? Let’s go, I’ll take you somewhere..."

...

The black Maybach drove out of The Sterling Villa, merging into the cold night.

The speed was astonishing, the scenery outside quickly receding, blurring into a stream of light.

Stella fastened her seatbelt, watching Aidan’s taut profile; his jawline seemed chiseled, carrying an all-or-nothing resolve.

For some reason, a wave of unease washed over her.

The car eventually stopped at the entrance of a top-tier private hospital.

The smell of disinfectant filled her nose, intensifying Stella’s growing anxiety.

"Brother, why are we at the hospital?"

Aidan didn’t respond, got out of the car, and walked around to open her door, signaling with his gaze for her to follow.

The VP ward hallway was so quiet that one could hear their heartbeat.

The smell of disinfectant lingered in the air.

Aidan stopped in front of a hospital room.

He took a deep breath before reaching up to knock gently on the door.

"Come in," a gentle male voice called from inside.

Aidan pushed the door open, leading Stella inside.

The hospital room was spacious and bright, furnished like a luxury hotel suite.

A young man in a blue and white hospital gown was reclining at the head of the bed, holding a medical journal.

When he lifted his head and saw who had come, a clear trace of bewilderment flickered across his face.

It was Owen Callahan.

He looked leaner compared to before, his complexion still displaying a sickly pallor.

The most striking were the remnants of bruises above his left brow and on his cheekbone, traces not entirely faded, and even a stitch mark at the corner of his mouth.

Those scars silently narrated the brutality of the past violence.

Stella’s steps instantly nailed to the spot—Owen...

"Aidan? Miss Sterling?" Owen lowered the journal, smiling warmly, though the smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, making him wince slightly, "Long time no see."

Stella’s throat tightened. She instinctively responded, "Dr. Callahan... your injuries..."

Owen lightly touched his forehead but said no more.

Aidan approached the bed, gazing intently at Owen, his voice weighed down with fierce emotion, "Owen, you should know why I brought her here to see you."

Owen hesitated a little, looked at Aidan’s icy expression, then at Stella standing at the doorway, seemingly grasping something.

"Tell her..." Aidan pressed his lips together, as if restraining his emotions; his every word appeared ground out from his teeth, "Tell her exactly what you saw firsthand ten years ago, reveal what kind of person Shane Donovan really is!"

The air in the hospital room instantly froze.

Yet Owen remained silent, merely pursing his lips, dodging Aidan’s piercing glare, his lips moved slightly as if at a loss for words.

"Go on!"

Aidan hammered a fist down onto the bedside cabinet, and a loud bang resonated, the water cup on the cabinet shook violently, "We’re at the brink now; are you still going to cover for him?!"