Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 117: The Power of the White Moonlight
Elara Forrest obviously didn’t expect someone to suddenly come in and raised her tearful face.
When she saw that it was Stella Sterling standing at the door, a very complex emotion flashed across her face—awkwardness, embarrassment, and a hint of panic barely detectable.
She quickly wiped the tears off her face with the back of her hand and forced a smile uglier than crying. Her voice was still choked, "Stella... Stella? You’re back..."
Her gaze instinctively glanced behind Stella, and when she saw Shane Donovan behind her, she visibly paused, seemingly surprised, but at that moment she had no time to care. She quickly nodded to Stella, then lowered her head and hurried past them.
Stella stepped aside to let her pass, watching her disappear outside the door. Then she turned back toward the direction of the living room, filled with doubt.
She pressed her lips together and, holding Shane Donovan’s hand, quickly walked inside.
In the living room, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.
Aidan Sterling stood with his back toward the door, facing the large floor-to-ceiling window.
One hand was in the pocket of his trousers, the other clenched into a fist at his side, the blue veins on his hand bulging, trembling slightly.
Isla Sutton and Theodore Sterling sat on the main seat of the sofa, their faces visibly distraught.
Upon hearing footsteps behind him, Aidan turned suddenly. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Seeing it was Stella and Shane Donovan, the frightening rage yet to subside in his eyes was forcefully suppressed a few degrees, but the tight jawline and the oppressive aura still indicated his extremely bad mood.
"Brother..." Stella called cautiously, walking to his side, looking at him worriedly, "Are you... alright? Was that Elara just now?"
Aidan’s Adam’s apple moved violently, he turned his face away, avoiding his sister’s probing gaze, his voice hoarse, "I’m fine."
He was clearly unwilling to discuss further.
Seeing this, Isla Sutton stood up quickly to ease the tension, "Stella and Shane are back? Just in time, come and sit. Just now... it was nothing, a little misunderstanding."
Her gaze fell on the box Stella was holding, shifting the subject smoothly, "Oh? Stella, what’s that you’re holding?"
Stella knew her mother was trying to lighten the mood, so she followed along, placing the sandalwood box on the coffee table and opening it.
Instantly, the room was graced with brilliance.
The jewelry sparkled under the bright lights of the living room, clearly not ordinary items.
Being quite knowledgeable, Isla Sutton immediately understood the value of the jewelry, covering her mouth in surprise, "This... is this?"
Stella smiled somewhat sheepishly, "It’s a gift from Grandpa Donovan."
She pointed toward the door, "There are several more boxes in the car... The old man is a bit too enthusiastic."
Theodore Sterling was also taken aback by this generous gesture, pausing slightly with the teacup in hand, looking at Shane Donovan with a meaningful look.
Shane Donovan sat gracefully next to Stella, meeting Theodore Sterling’s gaze with a slight nod, "Uncle and Aunt, a small token from our family elder. Please don’t disdain it."
Theodore Sterling put down the teacup, his expression considerably calmer, "Elder Donovan is really too courteous. Stella is still young, and we need you, Shane, to take care of her."
"You’re too kind, Uncle. Marrying Stella is my blessing..."
Upon his words, Aidan sneered coldly, "You’re good with words..."
Shane Donovan’s gaze turned to Aidan Sterling, who was still standing by the window, his tone unchanged, "President Sterling, long time no see."
Aidan was obviously in a foul mood as he walked over to sit on the single sofa, crossed his long legs, and glanced at Shane Donovan and the sandalwood box, pulling the corner of his mouth, yet saying no more.
The atmosphere seemed to return to normal temporarily.
Isla Sutton smiled and instructed the servants to prepare refreshments and dinner.
Stella sat next to her mother, quietly sharing her experiences at The Donovan Family’s old mansion, deliberately avoiding the topic of Elara Forrest.
Shane Donovan chatted with Theodore Sterling about financial affairs, navigating the conversation with skill, making it informative yet not overly pretentious.
Aidan leaned on the sofa, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the armrest, his gaze somewhat vacant, clearly not mentally present.
After a while, he suddenly stood up, "I’m going upstairs to handle some documents."
Finished speaking, he didn’t wait for everyone’s reaction before heading straight for the stairs.
Stella watched her brother disappear at the stair corner, her confusion deepening.
She leaned closer to Isla Sutton, her voice lowered, "Mom, what really happened just now? Why did Elara come to our house? Isn’t she supposed to be abroad?"
Isla Sutton sighed, glancing upstairs, shaking her head helplessly, "We also don’t know how she suddenly returned to the country and found her way here. She came wanting to see Aidan, they talked in the study not long, but then started arguing... Aidan wouldn’t say the specifics."
She paused, lowered her voice, "Seeing her like that, it seems she’s not doing well, her eyes were swollen from crying... Alas, it’s been so many years, why again..."
Theodore Sterling snorted heavily, his tone displeased, "Regardless of the reason, she shouldn’t have come to our house! She was the one who chose to marry abroad back then and now returns to bother Aidan, what does that look like!"
Stella pursed her lips, having a general guess in her heart.
Elara was her brother’s first love, a wound that has never healed in his heart.
Years ago, their love was passionate, almost reaching marriage discussions.
But later, Elara had to bow to family pressure, chose to marry far away to Europe directly, without giving her brother a proper explanation.
For this, her brother sunk into despair, even indulging in drinking and reckless driving, later going abroad to expand overseas markets. Only in recent years has he gradually come around.
Now, Elara suddenly returns, with a look of grievance, coming to the house...
What kind of drama is this?
Shane Donovan quietly sat nearby, taking in the reactions of The Sterling Family. He didn’t comment, just picked up his teacup, sipping slowly, a flicker of understanding passing through his deep eyes.
He naturally knew who Elara was.
In fact, he might know more than The Sterling Family did.
For example, her seemingly glamorous marriage, which has long been riddled with problems.
For example, her husband, twenty years her senior, faced bankruptcy after a failed investment six months ago.
For example, her return to the country this time, the motive might not be simple.
However, he didn’t plan to mention these for now.
It’s Aidan’s personal matter, which he needs to handle and confront himself.
What he’s more concerned about now is whether his little girl would be affected by this.
He glanced sideways, seeing Stella’s slightly furrowed brows and thoughtful expression, reached out, and gently held her hand under the coffee table...
