Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 133: News of Shane Donovan

Stella Sterling’s breath suddenly halted.

She could almost hear the sound of blood rushing to her eardrums, her fingertips unconsciously tracing a white mark on the tabletop.

"Rhys Lennox," after a long moment, she found her voice, but it was hoarse, "you go out first."

Rhys didn’t move.

He stood his ground, eyes under blond hair fixed on Julian Sullivan, "You don’t know who he is? Who knows what he’s up to."

Julian Sullivan seemed oblivious to his hostility, his gaze behind the glasses calm and unruffled, only looking at Stella.

"Out," Stella repeated, her gaze still locked on Julian Sullivan, her voice carrying an undeniable finality.

Rhys’s chest heaved violently, a vein throbbing at his temple.

He glared at Julian Sullivan as if he wanted to devour him alive, and finally, he abruptly turned around.

"Bang!"

The office door slammed shut with a deafening noise, the glass vibrating.

The loud sound made Stella’s eyelashes tremble, but she didn’t turn back, her gaze still on Julian Sullivan.

The room was left with just the two of them, the air tense and silent enough to hear a pin drop.

"Mr. Sullivan," Stella forced herself to remain calm, but her nails had already dug deep into her palm, "what do you know about Shane Donovan? Do you have news about him?"

Julian Sullivan’s gaze swept over her slightly flushed cheeks from anxiety as he walked to the guest sofa and sat down leisurely, crossing his legs.

"Counselor Sterling, you’re joking, how could I possibly have news about President Donovan..."

His tone was flat, devoid of any emotion as he raised an eyebrow, "If President Donovan sends a dream someday, I will be sure to inform Counselor Sterling first."

Stella’s breath hitched, knowing how ridiculous her every action must appear now.

But she couldn’t help it.

She couldn’t believe Shane Donovan was really gone.

As if this little bit of wishful thinking was her only hope to keep going.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, "So, Mr. Sullivan, what brings you to see me?"

"Actually..." Julian Sullivan tapped lightly on his knee with his fingertip, "before President Donovan met with trouble, he had a few interactions with me..."

Stella held her breath, her gaze fixed on him.

"President Donovan was exceptionally capable, his methods... also extraordinary." Julian Sullivan spoke calmly, "Such a person, surrounded by wolves and tigers, who do you think least wants him alive?"

Stella pressed her lips tightly together, saying nothing.

Julian Sullivan didn’t mind, and continued, "Innovatech Bio is a huge cake."

His voice wasn’t loud, but every word struck Stella’s heart, "As long as Shane Donovan is there, no one dares to make a move. But if something happens to him, who would be the biggest beneficiary, I’m sure Counselor Sterling knows well."

Stella’s throat was dry and sore, "What exactly are you trying to say, Mr. Sullivan?"

Julian Sullivan leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp as a knife, "I’ve come today to discuss a deal with you."

"A deal?" Stella raised her eyes, undisguised mockery in her gaze, "Innovatech is now under Philip Donovan’s control, seems like Mr. Sullivan has come to the wrong person for a deal."

"Counselor Sterling must know that President Donovan’s death can’t be unrelated to his dear uncle, can it?"

The air became stagnant.

Stella stood there, her back straight like a taut string.

The daylight outside streamed through the blinds, casting flickering shadows on her pale face.

A few seconds of dead silence.

She suddenly laughed, but the laughter didn’t reach her eyes, carrying a hint of bleak sarcasm, "So this is what Mr. Sullivan came for today?"

Julian Sullivan remained noncommittal, "Naturally."

Stella took a deep breath, suppressing the sourness and acute pain churning in her chest.

She walked around the desk, step by step to Julian Sullivan, stopping at the distance of a coffee table.

Her gaze was sharp, directly at Julian Sullivan, "Seems like Mr. Sullivan has found the wrong person, I have other matters to handle here, so I won’t keep you, Mr. Sullivan."

With that remark, she effectively issued a dismissal.

Julian Sullivan watched her quietly, the room filled only with the sound of their intertwining breaths.

After a long while, he nodded almost imperceptibly, stood, and tidied the unwrinkled hem of his suit.

"I’ll remember Counselor Sterling’s words." His tone remained calm, revealing no emotion, "Goodbye."

The door closed gently.

The office was completely silent again.

Stella remained in place, feeling her body’s faint reserves of strength seemingly vanish, her legs buckled, she staggered, holding onto the sofa back for support.

She looked down at her slightly trembling fingers, her heart felt like it had a gaping hole, cold wind rushing in relentlessly.

She had thought Julian Sullivan would offer her even a shred of hope...

But now even that bit of hope was gone.

She slowly curled up on the sofa, hugging her knees, burying her face into them.

Her shoulders shook slightly, but there was no sound.

...

Julian Sullivan opened the office door, his steps momentarily pausing at the threshold.

Rhys Lennox was leaning against the wall opposite the door, one long leg bent, the heel of his shoe pressed against the wall.

A cigarette between his fingers, unlit, he idly rolled it between his fingers, his gaze under blond hair icy and fierce, like a blade with frosted edges, piercing directly at Julian Sullivan.

"Done talking?" Rhys spoke, his voice hoarse.

Julian Sullivan’s gaze behind his lenses remained calm, as he raised a hand to adjust his cuff, his actions unhurried, "Does Young Master Lockwood have business?"

Rhys stood up straight, slightly taller than Julian Sullivan, exuding an imposing pressure as he approached.

"I don’t care how you and my brother fought tooth and nail before..."

He stared at Julian Sullivan, his jawline tight, "But she has nothing to do with it."

He gestured with his thumb towards the door slightly ajar behind him, the outline of a curled-up figure faintly visible on the sofa inside.

"I’m warning you, Julian Sullivan, stay away from her."

A silent tension filled the air.

Julian Sullivan’s usual gentle facade gradually faded, a faint trace of ridicule flickered in his eyes, "In what capacity do you say such things?"

Their gazes clashed in the air, one rebellious and sinister, the other deep and enigmatic.

Rhys’s Adam’s apple moved, emitting a short, cold sneer, "Who cares what capacity?"

He stepped closer, almost brushing against Julian Sullivan’s shoulder, his voice lowered further, carrying an undeniable ruthlessness, "As long as I, Rhys Lennox, am here, don’t even think about touching her. Got it?"

Julian Sullivan watched him quietly, and after a few seconds, suddenly let out a very light chuckle, the humor didn’t reach his eyes, "Young Master Lockwood, don’t speak too confidently."

"Oh, really?" Rhys’s lips twitched, his gaze suddenly fierce, "Then try it."

With that, he stopped looking at Julian Sullivan, abruptly turned around, and slammed the door open, striding into the office.

The door "bang" closed behind him, making the walls vibrate.

Julian Sullivan raised his hand, unconsciously adjusting the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, the lenses reflecting the corridor’s cold overhead light.

Rhys Lennox, known for his lawlessness, but today’s loss of control... was somewhat unusual.

It didn’t seem appropriate for handling one’s brother’s widow.

Instead...

Julian Sullivan narrowed his eyes slightly, the color in his eyes deepening.

At that moment, his phone suddenly vibrated.

He glanced at the caller ID, his gaze suddenly sharpening, quickly answering.

"Speak."

A low voice came rapidly from the other end of the line.

Julian Sullivan listened quietly, his expression growing increasingly stern.

"Understood."

He hung up, looked at his assistant by his side, and instructed in a low voice, "To the hospital."