Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 98: Call My Name Again, It Sounds Wonderful...

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Call My Name Again, It Sounds Wonderful...

Stella stood at the doorway, unsure whether to enter or retreat, feeling the veins at her temple throb twice.

Jasper’s face was ashen, his wound hurt, and his head hurt even more. "Mom! Say less!"

Auntie May was startled by her son’s shout, her eyes reddening with grievance. But looking at her son’s pale face, her worry took over, and she mumbled softly, "I’m just worried about you..."

"Auntie May, please don’t get agitated. Jasper needs to rest quietly now..." Grace supported Auntie May’s arm, but her gaze discretely swept towards Stella, "Stella came out of concern too. After all, that knife was taken for her."

Her words seemed persuasive but were subtly stirring the pot.

Auntie May, as expected, was swayed, her gaze towards Stella filled with even more discontent.

Shane, who had been standing silently aside, finally moved.

He didn’t look at Auntie May and Grace, his long legs striding forward, walking straight to Stella, his arm naturally wrapping around her waist, pulling her close to him.

The movement was smooth, full of possessiveness.

"Mrs. Hawthorne, is it?" his voice was deep and calm, "Don’t worry..."

"Attorney Hawthorne’s courageous action is commendable. Innovatech will fully cover his medical expenses, nutrition, and lost wages, and will additionally grant a generous bravery award as a token of gratitude."

A few words defined Jasper’s selfless rescue purely as a brave act, drawing a clear line from any personal emotions.

Jasper felt a blockage in his chest, his breathing quickened.

Auntie May was momentarily stunned, her mouth opening in confusion, "You are..."

Shane’s thin lips curved slightly, "Shane Donovan, Stella’s fiancé."

Auntie May’s mind buzzed as if something had hit it hard.

Shane Donovan?

The Shane Donovan of the Donovan Family in Kaelon?

The head of Innovatech Bio?

She only knew that Stella went to Riveria after breaking up with her son, and later heard she was getting engaged. She had secretly scoffed, thinking what kind of family could Stella find without her son.

Most likely just some nouveau riche or playboy not worth mentioning.

But this man before her...

He stood tall, remarkably handsome, with a dignified and chilly aura from a long-standing position of power. When his deep eyes swept over, there was an invisible pressure, making her, someone who’s lived for many decades, reluctant to meet his gaze directly.

This... This was nowhere near ordinary.

He was clearly someone whom people like them could never reach!

Jasper was outstanding, making a name for himself in the legal field at a young age, but compared to this Donovan Crown Prince...

Auntie May felt a surge of inexplicable bitterness and fear for the first time.

Shane didn’t bother to observe Auntie May’s changing expressions, his gaze briefly swept over to Jasper on the hospital bed with a grim face, and his arm around Stella’s waist tightened, a stance of absolute possession.

"We appreciate Attorney Hawthorne’s heroic actions. But it remains just appreciation."

He nodded slightly, elegant yet distant, "Elias Peyton from the legal department will be fully responsible for liaising with Attorney Hawthorne. As for the rest..."

He paused, his eyes devoid of warmth, "No need for outsiders to worry."

The term ’outsiders’ was said with a calm clarity.

It rendered Auntie May speechless, her face turning red and white, unable to utter a single word.

After speaking, Shane no longer paid attention to everyone in the room. He lowered his head to look at Stella, and his voice softened by several degrees, filled with indulgence, "Tired, let’s go home."

It wasn’t a question, but a statement.

Held by him, Stella was surrounded by the crisp woody scent emanating from him, her agitated heart strangely calming down.

She didn’t even glance back at Jasper, replying softly, "Okay."

Jasper watched helplessly as Stella was taken away by Shane, she didn’t even look back once.

Behind him, Jasper’s hand clutched tightly at the bedsheet, knuckles turning white...

...

Shane didn’t drive Stella back to the law firm, instead, he drove directly to the wedding mansion in Riveria.

Their journey was almost silent.

Shane focused on driving, his profile appearing particularly stern in the night.

Reclining against the seatback, Stella looked at the lights flickering past the window, her mind in disarray.

The hospital scene today had left her utterly exhausted.

Clearly wanting to end things completely, yet she owed a debt of gratitude instead.

The car entered the villa’s garage, and Shane was the first to get out, coming around to open the door for her, naturally extending his hand towards her.

Looking at the outstretched hand with prominent knuckles, Stella hesitated for a moment, but still placed her hand in his.

His palm was warm and dry, completely enveloping her cool fingers as he led her into the villa.

The lights inside were bright and warm, dispelling the winter cold.

Shane took off his coat, hanging it casually, then turned and gently pressed Stella against the wall of the entrance.

"Still thinking about him?" he lowered his head, foreheads touching, breaths mingling, his voice low with an imperceptible tension.

Trapped within a small space by him, Stella could clearly feel the warmth of his body and the subtle pressure emanating from him.

She turned her face away, "No."

"Then why do you look so absent-minded?" His fingertips gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

His eyes were as deep as the night sea, with emotions she couldn’t comprehend surging within.

Her heart skipped a beat as Stella reflexively retorted, "Who’s absent-minded? I was thinking about something else!"

"That’s good..." Shane seemed satisfied with her rebuttal, the corners of his lips curling slightly, his thumb rubbing her delicate chin with an ambiguous itch.

"Or I’d be jealous..."

"You..."

But before Stella could finish her sentence, the man suddenly bent down and captured her lips.

He pinned her against the entrance wall; behind her was the cold wall, and in front of her was his hot, solid chest. The contrast of ice and fire left her mind blank, leaving her no choice but to cling helplessly to his shoulders, tilting her head to accept his almost plundering kiss.

This kiss was different from the former gentle probing or assertive dominance; it carried a sense of claiming ownership, meticulously grinding, exploring deeply, until Stella was breathless and weak.

"Shane..." she murmured in protest, her voice soft with no hint of threat.

"Hm?" He pulled back slightly, brushing his nose against hers, his breath warm, "Call me again, it sounds nice."

His arm tightened, drawing her more securely into his embrace, the thin fabric between them letting them feel each other’s body curves and heat.

He kissed her again, this time moving down her slender neck, leaving a trail of moist marks.

Dazed by the kissing, Stella was lost in passion, feeling his scalding hand already slipping under her sweater hem...