Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 123: He Drank It!

Rhys Lennox was at a critical point in his game, and without lifting his head, he replied impatiently, "Yeah."

Beatrice Donovan tried to suppress her anxiety, forcing a smile: "Why are you hiding here playing games alone? Today is your big brother’s big day. You should go out and help, greet the guests."

Rhys chuckled disdainfully, his fingers not pausing: "Not my business. Those people are fake smiling so much their faces probably ache. Just looking at it tires me."

"You’re such a child..." Beatrice was choked with frustration but thought of the plan, so she held back her anger and leaned in, lowering her voice, "Rhys, I need your help with something."

Rhys finally tore his eyes away from the screen to give her a glance: "What is it?"

Beatrice’s heart raced, and her palms grew damp. She tried to speak calmly: "After the ceremony, there’s the clinking wine glasses part, right? Your big brother will be busy, so mom wants you, as his brother, to help bring the wine over. It will show our family is close and give your big brother some face, okay?"

While she spoke, she closely watched Rhys’s expression.

Rhys furrowed his brow, "It’s just handing over some wine. There are so many waiters, do they really need me?"

"How could that be the same?"

Beatrice quickly said, "Waiters are outsiders. You’re his brother. There’s a different meaning! Be good, okay? Just do it for your big brother..."

Rhys irritably ruffled his blond hair, seemingly a bit swayed by Beatrice’s words.

"Bothersome!" he grumbled, pressing his thumb heavily on the screen to end the game.

"Alright, alright, I got it," he put away his phone, still sounding impatient, "call me when you need me."

Beatrice felt a huge weight lifted from her heart, nodding quickly: "Okay, okay! Mom will call you then! Be sure to remember!"

She reminded him once more, just to be sure, before turning to leave, feeling a layer of cold sweat on her back.

Rhys watched her back, raising an eyebrow slightly.

But he didn’t think much of it, just assuming she took this engagement banquet too seriously and wanted to perform well in front of Old Mr. Donovan, so he pulled out his phone again, scrolling idly...

.....

The engagement banquet was filled with well-dressed guests, yet their eyes all simultaneously followed the couple.

Shane Donovan wore a black velvet suit, standing tall and straight.

Stella Sterling was dressed in a hand-embroidered dragon and phoenix robe, intricate gold patterns winding on a red background, and around her neck hung a jade necklace from Old Mr. Donovan, making her fair skin look even more like snow.

"Nervous?" Shane turned slightly, his fingertips lightly hooking her fingers.

Stella was about to nod when she felt him place a fruit candy in her palm.

The rustle of the candy wrapper made her smile, "Are you treating me like a kid?"

"Of course," he whispered in her ear, "my little kid."

Her ears warmed, and she pinched his palm with her fingertips.

He chuckled softly, clasping her fingers tighter in response.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly.

During the toasting segment, Stella followed Shane to the main table first.

Old Mr. Donovan beamed as he saw them approach, giving Stella a thick red envelope even before they toasted: "Good child, if this rascal ever bullies you, just tell me. I’ll be the first to break his leg!"

Stella couldn’t help but smile, politely thanking him.

When it was Old Mrs. Donovan’s turn, her smile was forced, and she tapped the cup with her fingers before pulling back.

Stella was about to bow, but Shane already guided her to the next person.

Old Mrs. Donovan’s expression darkened immediately.

But before she could react, Philip Donovan had already stood up with a laugh, holding a wine glass, "Shane, Miss Sterling, or should I say, my niece-in-law now!"

He laughed heartily, "Congratulations! Truly a match made in heaven! Your second uncle wishes you eternal love and happiness until old age!"

Beatrice Donovan, witnessing this, quickly raised her glass too, her face a warm smile but her fingers unconsciously tightened around the stem: "Shane, Stella, your older aunt wishes you a happy and beautiful life, and many children soon!"

"Thank you, second uncle, thank you, older aunt." Stella politely expressed her gratitude.

Shane had a faint smile on his lips, clinking glasses with them, but his gaze lingered for a moment on Beatrice’s trembling hand gripping the glass before moving on casually.

After toasting the main table, the couple turned to other important guests.

Beatrice followed closely, her eyes fixed on the wine glass in Shane’s hand, her heart pounding like a drum.

After finally finishing a round of toasts, she immediately stepped forward, "Oh, the most important clinking wine hasn’t been drunk yet! It’s an old tradition with great meaning. Newlyweds’ clinking signifies eternal love!"

She said, looking eagerly toward the corner and calling out, "Rhys! Quickly, bring your big brother and sister-in-law’s clinking wine!"

Rhys was poking his phone, and at her voice, he clicked his tongue impatiently and slowly set the phone down.

Nearby, a waiter already stood with a tray draped in red velvet, on which rested two crystal-clear glasses of wine.

Rhys glanced at it, took the tray, and strolled over lazily, "Here, the wine."

Beatrice’s gaze was glued to the wine glass in Rhys’s hand, especially the one Shane was about to take, her heart nearly jumping out of her throat, her palms sweaty, yet still maintaining a smile on her face.

Shane’s eyes swept over the wine glass being handed to him and then gazed at Beatrice’s tense expression, his eyes deepening imperceptibly.

He reached out to take the wine glass from Rhys, his fingertips securely supporting the base.

"You rascal, you’re becoming a family man now!" Just as he took the glass, Old Mr. Donovan couldn’t help but say, "Rein in your temper, treat Stella well. If you dare bully her, I’ll be the first to disagree!"

"Hmm, got it."

He replied nonchalantly, his gaze drifting over Beatrice’s face, which was maintaining calmness through effort.

Seeing Shane holding the glass without any intention of drinking, Beatrice was anxious, unable to stop herself from urging again, "Dad, save your words for later. Let the kids drink the clinking wine first; everyone is waiting to see!"

Shane’s eyes flickered over Beatrice’s anxious face, his lips curling into a smile that was not quite a smile: "Aunt seems more anxious than us."

Beatrice laughed awkwardly, her eyes darting: "I’m just happy for you!"

Old Mr. Donovan also laughed, waving his hand: "Alright, alright, your aunt is right, let’s proceed with the ceremony first."

All eyes were on them.

Stella took a deep breath, raising her arm, her cheeks flushed with a blush like the sunset.

Shane looked at her shy demeanor, his eyes lit with humor, and he whispered, "Don’t be nervous."

Then he wrapped his wrist around her arm, slowly bringing the two glasses to their lips.

Beatrice stared intently at Shane’s hand, watching as he tipped his head back...

She nearly stopped breathing, all the blood in her body seemingly frozen at that moment, then boiling over when his Adam’s apple moved and he swallowed that mouthful of wine!

Drank it!

He drank it!

Success!