Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 18: Jasper Hawthorne Is Here!

"Stella..."

May Wright’s voice carried a hint of reserve, yet her words feigned relaxation, "You... you left without a word, child? Didn’t even say goodbye to Auntie. When are you coming back? Auntie misses you..."

This sudden string of questions made Stella feel a bit unfamiliar.

For the past five years, although May Wright acknowledged her as Jasper Hawthorne’s girlfriend, her attitude was always reserved and somewhat critical, never had she been this enthusiastic.

Not picking on her faults was something considered kind in Stella’s eyes.

If she had heard these words a month ago, she guaranteed she would have been moved to tears.

But now—

It only felt ironic.

"I am well, thank you for your concern, Auntie." Stella’s voice was distant yet polite, "Please say what’s on your mind."

May Wright stiffened, seemingly surprised that despite her lowering herself, Stella was still unappreciative. For a moment, she felt uncomfortable, and her tone turned cold.

"That child Jasper is just like that, stubborn, no words, you haven’t just met him, have you? Why hold grudges with him? I heard you sold your house? That’s too capricious, totally unnecessary, considering the house prices in Kenton are sky-high now, if you ever want to come back, you can’t buy it back at the same price..."

Stella listened silently, her heart feeling blocked, both sour and bitter.

She used to be blinded by her own delusions, thinking that sincerity could be exchanged for sincerity...

In May Wright’s eyes, she probably never mattered at all, that’s why she could stab at her heart without hesitation even now!

"Auntie knows, the wedding made you suffer." May Wright continued, "Auntie guarantees, this time, Jasper will marry you in style! If you’re really not assured, go get the certificate first, we’ll plan the wedding slowly, it’ll be grander than last time, okay? Stop being mad at Jasper, he’s been like a lost soul lately, not around at home, only searching for you, he’s lost weight..."

Stella let out a light laugh, heavily tinged with self-mockery.

Look, even now, they still think she was just being mad.

Thinking that making up to her with a wedding could erase all the hurt and disappointment.

And May Wright’s so-called ’heartache’ is only because of her precious son!

She closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, there was only clarity and indifference: "Auntie."

She interrupted May Wright, "Thank you for your kindness. However, Jasper Hawthorne and I are finished, it’s not a tantrum, it’s a well-considered decision. Please, don’t call me again in the future. Also, please tell him not to contact me anymore, let’s part peacefully and wish each other well."

May Wright on the other side of the phone seemed completely unprepared for such a straightforward rejection, pausing for several seconds, her voice risen sharply: "Stella! How can you be so careless?! Jasper has almost gone crazy looking for you, what more do you want? Should he kneel to beg you? He is naturally cold, but he has been different with you, don’t push it..."

"Auntie!" Stella emphasized her tone, interrupting her again, the remaining courtesy for her being an elder evaporating, speaking coldly, "I am very busy, if there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up first. Wish you good health."

With those words, not waiting for May Wright to speak again, she hung up the phone directly and put that number into the blacklist.

Finally, the world was silent.

She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples.

As she worked to calm her emotions and prepare to return to work, Finn Lockwood’s overexcited voice came suddenly from outside the office—

"Boss! Boss! Come see who’s here?!"

Stella was annoyed, thinking Finn must have brought some unexpected major client, she reluctantly summoned the energy to get up and open her office door.

And right outside the office door—

Finn Lockwood excitedly moved aside, and the man behind him suddenly appeared in her sight.

It was... Jasper Hawthorne.

He seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight, his jawline sharper, the collar of his suit jacket slightly open, revealing a meticulously groomed yet somewhat messy shirt collar.

The expression on Stella’s face instantly froze, her hand gripping the door handle tightened suddenly, the blood rushed through her body, causing an almost absurd dizziness.

The world seemed to pause at that moment.

All sounds faded away, leaving only the uncontrollable thumping of her heart.

Thump.

Thump.

Pounding against her eardrums.

Finn Lockwood was still beside them, excited and incoherent: "Boss! It’s Jasper Hawthorne, Attorney Hawthorne! My idol..."

His voice seemed to come from far away, unclear.

Stella’s fingers subconsciously curled, her nails deeply imprinted in her palm, the slight pricking pain snapping her back to her senses.

Stay calm.

She told herself.

It’s over between them.

Stella took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging emotions in her chest, she didn’t even look at Jasper Hawthorne, instead she turned her gaze to Finn Lockwood, her tone calm and flat, "This is a law firm, it’s a workplace, don’t bring unrelated people in casually in the future..."

"Huh?" Finn Lockwood’s smile froze, as if he didn’t understand her words.

But he’s Jasper Hawthorne!

A top lawyer admired throughout the circle!

His idol!

"Boss, he’s Jasper..."

"I know who he is." Stella interrupted him, "Do you have the follow-up execution details for Innovatech sorted? The client needs them in the afternoon."

Her words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing all of Finn Lockwood’s enthusiasm.

He then belatedly sensed the tension in the atmosphere.

This...

Doesn’t seem like the joy of a long-lost reunion, feels more like...

Finn Lockwood’s heart sank, silencing him instantly, afraid to say more, he quickly lowered his head: "Not... not yet, I’ll go sort it now!"

After speaking, he hurriedly slipped back to his workstation, pretending to be busy, but his ears were raised high.

Wow!

Big news!

Sure enough, his boss has something going on with his idol!

...

And now, at the office entrance, there remained only Stella and Jasper Hawthorne.

The air was stagnantly terrifying, almost able to hear a pin drop.

Jasper Hawthorne looked at her excessively calm face, the thorough detachment and coldness in her eyes, and his heart felt like it was being squeezed by a cold hand, aching so much he could hardly breathe.

He had imagined countless scenes of finding her.

She might cry, might curse him, might hit him, might even completely ignore him...

He was mentally prepared for any intense reaction and willing to bear them all.

But never expected she’d be like this.

Calm.

As if he were just an insignificant stranger.

This was more terrifying than any accusation and resentment.

But he didn’t know what went wrong...

Clearly, he came to find her—

His one-time willingness to stoop.

Why was she still mad at him?