Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 77: Sibling Conflict!

"Don’t worry..."

Seeing Stella Sterling still frowning, Old Mr. Donovan chuckled softly, "Although he’s currently unable to leave while cooperating with the investigation, his food and lodging are fine, he’s just not free."

"It’s good to teach that boy a lesson too. He became complacent at such a young age after reaching his position, doesn’t know how to use leverage and makes enemies everywhere." Old Mr. Donovan snorted coldly, "Little does he know there are countless demons and goblins waiting to bring him down from his pedestal."

Stella clenched her fingers tightly, her nails digging into her palm, bringing a slight sting of pain.

"What if... what if he really got wrongfully accused?"

Old Mr. Donovan raised his eyes, those eyes that had seen the world held no ripples, his tone was as flat as if discussing something unrelated to him.

"Then it’s his fate."

Fate?

Just two light words, yet it sealed Shane Donovan’s potential descent into an abyss.

Stella’s throat tightened, she still wanted to say something, but saw Old Mr. Donovan slowly close his eyes, waved his hand, a gesture indicating to see her out.

All her words got stuck in her throat.

Her heart sank heavily.

She didn’t believe Shane Donovan would fake data, that man was so proud, his methods might be fierce, but he wouldn’t meddle with such fundamentals.

Stella absentmindedly left The Donovan Family’s old residence.

The early winter night breeze brushed against her face with a biting chill, but she didn’t feel cold.

The car drove towards The Sterling Villa, the fleeting lights outside quickly receding, blurring into a haze.

...

The Sterling Villa was brightly lit.

As soon as the car stopped, Uncle Sean greeted her with a joyful face, "Miss, you’re back! Why didn’t you say anything in advance? Sir and Madame went out for social engagements, only the young master is home."

Stella paused slightly in her steps.

Only her brother was home...

She nodded, said nothing, and walked straight inside.

The spacious living room was empty, the warm yellow light flowed down, yet it couldn’t dispel the inexplicable coldness.

"Miss, would you like some hot soup? The kitchen has kept it warm," Uncle Sean asked with concern.

"No need, Uncle Sean, I’m not hungry," Stella shook her head, she had no appetite right now.

She needed some peace and quiet to sort out her chaotic thoughts.

Her feet, however, unconsciously moved towards the glass conservatory at the back of the villa.

That was the quietest place in the house.

Pushing open the heavy glass doors, warm and humid air mixed with the rich scent of flowers wafted over.

The large arched viewing window reflected the deep night outside, as well as the orderly indoor collection of rare flowers.

And right in the center of the conservatory, beside a blooming blue hydrangea, a familiar tall figure sat casually on the tiered viewing platform, back facing her.

Aidan Sterling had one long leg bent, his elbow resting on his knee, the other long leg extended carelessly, spanning several steps, an indescribable laziness in his posture, his profile half-lit among the layered flowers and leaves, a half-burned cigarette between his fingers, its ember flickering in the dim night.

Hearing footsteps, he turned his head.

The moment their eyes met, the air seemed to congeal slightly.

His deep eyes held a faint scrutiny, devoid of any emotion, yet made Stella’s heart inexplicably tighten.

"Back so soon?" Aidan spoke, his voice low, emotionless, "The news travels fast..."

News?

What did her brother mean by that?

Recalling her brother’s undisguised hostility towards Shane Donovan and vehement opposition to the engagement...

Stella took a deep breath, pushing down the confusion in her heart, "Brother, do you know about Shane Donovan being taken by the Drug Administration for investigation?"

Aidan’s eyebrows moved imperceptibly, his tone nonchalant, "It’s causing an uproar, hard not to know."

"This matter..." Stella deliberated her words, her gaze firmly on him, "did you have any involvement? Or did you fan the flames..."

She asked directly, her heart uncontrollably racing in her chest.

Aidan looked at her, suddenly let out a low laugh, the laugh held no warmth.

He brought the cigarette to his lips, took a deep drag, then slowly exhaled the smoke, the bluish-white haze blurring his sharply defined face.

"What if I say yes?"

He was so direct, without any pretense, those dark, intense eyes staring at her with such candidness.

It left Stella momentarily stunned, not knowing how to respond.

She had imagined his denial, or evasion, but didn’t expect him to admit it so straightforwardly.

She lowered her voice again, carrying an imperceptible tremor, "Why?"

"Ha, why?" Aidan repeated, as if he had heard an interesting question.

He extinguished the cigarette, stood up.

His tall stature brought a sense of invisible pressure once he rose, and within a few steps, he was in front of Stella.

Shadow enveloped her, he looked down at her, eyes sharp as knives, "Didn’t I tell you to stay away from him?"

"Didn’t I say he wasn’t a good person?"

"Didn’t I also say—" he leaned slightly, his breath brushing her forehead, his voice lowered further, each word striking her heart, "This marriage won’t happen."

Stella was forced to take half a step back, her spine pressed against the cold, slightly damp glass wall, the chill instantly penetrating her thin clothing.

"Just because of this? You want to ruin him this way?" Her voice raised, with an accusatory tone, "Do you know what he’ll face if the data falsification is confirmed? Brother, this isn’t child’s play!"

"Child’s play?" Aidan chuckled, devoid of humor in his eyes, "You think I’m playing house?"

"Stella, you’re too naive. In business, it’s a life-and-death struggle, never child’s play. If Shane Donovan falls, someone else will naturally rise. As for what he’ll face..."

He paused, a cold arc forming at the corner of his mouth, "It’s because he’s not as skilled as others, he deserves it."

Deserves it...

"Just because he wants to marry me?!" Stella’s heart tightened, "Brother, I’m not a child anymore, I have the right to choose who I want to be with!"

"Right?" A menacing fury instantly surged in Aidan’s eyes, he abruptly reached out, gripping her wrist with such force that she frowned, "Your right is to keep jumping into pits of fire? First it was Jasper, now it’s Shane Donovan! When will your judgment on men ever be right?!"

"Shane Donovan is not a pit of fire!"

"He is!"

Aidan roared, the veins on his forehead faintly visible, "You have no idea what kind of person he is! You don’t know what he’s done behind the scenes!" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Then tell me!" Stella struggled hard to break free from his hold, but to no avail, "Tell me what unforgivable things he’s done, so I can be clear-headed and give up!"

Aidan stared at her intently, his chest heaving violently, those eyes full of blood, "Because he once..."

Stella’s heart immediately leaped into her throat...