Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 146: The Rice Is Cooked
Rhys Lennox took one last look around the apartment, leaving almost no sign that he had ever lived there.
The zipper of the black suitcase zipped up smoothly with a "swish."
He immediately picked up the suitcase and walked to the door without looking back.
He hadn’t planned to say goodbye.
Yet, as if compelled by an unseen force, he pressed the accelerator, heading towards the direction of Beatrice Donovan’s current residence.
Perhaps the remnants of family ties deep down made it impossible for him to leave without a word.
At that moment, in the side room of the villa, Beatrice Donovan was pacing anxiously, clutching her phone like an ant on a hot pan.
Rhys Lennox softened his footsteps, approaching silently.
Through the partially open door, Beatrice Donovan’s voice came through, low but undisguisedly harsh.
Rhys Lennox paused, his brow furrowing instinctively.
His mother seldom spoke in such a tone.
"...Second brother, are we really doing this? Are you sure the drug works? Should we drug Stella too? I’m worried if Jasper won’t cooperate, what happens if that wretched girl Stella slips away?"
Rhys Lennox’s blood seemed to freeze in an instant!
Instinctively, he leaned closer to the door, holding his breath.
From the other end of the phone, Philip Donovan’s voice came faintly through, with a hint of impatience: "What else then? Wait for Shane Donovan to completely settle scores with us? Little sister, don’t forget, it was you who poisoned his drink back then..."
Beatrice Donovan pressed her thin lips tightly.
"Alright, don’t worry, even if something really happens, we have Jasper taking the fall! I’ve arranged the place, it’s in the empty apartment in the south of the city. Once we succeed, with videos and photos, does Shane Donovan dare not obey?"
"But..."
"No buts! Little sister, think about Rhys Lennox! Once Shane Donovan completely takes power, is there a path for survival for your mother and son? Are you content to see your son forever under his thumb?"
Beatrice Donovan fell silent, breathing heavily.
Outside the door, Rhys Lennox’s fists were clenched tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand, his eyes suddenly filled with terrifying red!
A cold, murderous aura exploded from all around him!
He spun around abruptly, hardly thinking before dialing Stella’s number while rushing out of the villa.
"Pick up the phone! Stella! Quickly pick up!"
"Beep — beep — beep —"
The long busy tone hammered at his heart with each sound.
No answer.
Redialing, still no answer.
His eyes turned red with panic, instinctively clenching his fists.
Why isn’t she answering?!
Is she busy at the firm, or... has something happened already?!
"Damn!" he cursed fiercely, eyes showing unprecedented panic and fury!
The sports car engine roared deafeningly, the vehicle hurtling towards the south of the city like an arrow.
At that moment, only one thought filled his mind—fast!
Faster!
They must not touch a single hair on her head!
...
Meanwhile, in the secluded luxury apartment in the south of the city.
Jasper paced restlessly.
The living room was lit only by a warm yellow sconce lamp, the light ambiguous and indistinct.
A faint scent of incense hung in the air.
Philip Donovan sat on the sofa, leisurely sipping a glass of red wine, watching the restless Jasper with a subtle cold smile on his lips.
"Mr. Donovan, when is Stella arriving?" Jasper couldn’t help but ask, his voice slightly dry.
"Why the rush?"
Philip Donovan swirled his wine glass, speaking casually, "Attorney Hawthorne, rest assured, I will keep my promise to you. You must treat Counselor Sterling well in the future."
His words carried a hidden meaning, but Jasper did not catch it.
It was then that Philip Donovan’s phone vibrated; he glanced at it, then stood up, pouring another glass of wine for Jasper. "Come, Attorney Hawthorne, let’s drink to a pleasant collaboration, and may you get what you wish for."
Jasper’s mind was in turmoil, he didn’t think much, accepting the wine glass, clinking it with Philip Donovan’s, and drinking it down.
The spicy liquid slid down his throat but failed to calm the inexplicable unease in his heart.
Philip Donovan watched him drink, a gleam of triumph flashing in his eyes.
"I have some matters to attend to, leaving first. You stay here... and wait." He patted Jasper’s shoulder, his smile meaningful, then turned and left.
The apartment door clicked shut, isolating him from the outside world.
Jasper was left alone in the empty living room, and after a while, he felt an increasing heat, like countless tiny flames dancing through his veins, and his heartbeat began to accelerate uncontrollably.
He tugged at his tie, his breathing becoming rapid.
Something’s wrong!
This wine...
Jasper suddenly realized, his face blanching!
It was the wine!
Philip Donovan had spiked the wine!
He instantly understood Philip Donovan’s intention.
A surge of humiliation and anger welled up within him!
He thought he was playing a game, fighting for his last chance, yet he hadn’t realized he had fallen into Philip Donovan’s trap from the beginning!
He had become a pawn, a sordid tool to undermine Shane Donovan!
"Ugh..." He groaned in discomfort, leaning against the cold wall, sweat beads forming on his brow, his breath becoming rapid and scorching.
Rationality, wavering under the effects of the drug, the beast roaring within his body almost breaking free from its cage.
He mustn’t!
He couldn’t let it happen like this!
No matter how badly he wanted Stella, it wasn’t supposed to be like this!
This would ruin her, and destroy himself completely!
The remnants of his sanity made him grit his teeth, nails digging deep into his palms, trying to stay alert through pain.
He stumbled towards the bathroom.
Cold water!
He needed cold water!
Or he had to lock himself away!
Under no circumstance could he allow himself to appear this way when she arrived!
Just as he was about to grasp the door handle of the bathroom, almost twisting it open—
the apartment door suddenly opened from the outside.
A slender figure was pushed inside, not hard but enough to make her stagger slightly.
A familiar fragrance wafted over, penetrating his heightened senses controlled by the drugs.
It was the scent Stella often used... White peach and amber...
Jasper turned abruptly, his blurred vision capturing a face filled with slight panic and concern.
The light was dim, he couldn’t see clearly, but the silhouette, that slender figure...
"Jasper? What’s wrong?" A woman’s voice rang out, tinged with concern, the tone... carrying an indistinct familiarity.
Is it Stella?
It’s her!
"Don’t... don’t come closer..." Jasper squeezed out a broken warning, his body trembling uncontrollably, desire twisting around him like vines clutching at his heart and limbs.
The woman seemed to move closer with worry: "What’s wrong?"
A slightly cool, soft hand tentatively touched his burning forehead.
That sensation... was like a spark falling into an oil depot!
