Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 168: Kidnapping the Sterling Family’s Most Precious Pearl (Bonus - )

Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Kidnapping the Sterling Family’s Most Precious Pearl (Bonus Chapter)

In the evening, Shane Donovan personally drove Stella Sterling back to The Sterling Villa.

The car glided smoothly into the courtyard, and as soon as it stopped, he got out first and walked around to the trunk.

Stella followed and, looking on, couldn’t help but widen her eyes slightly.

The trunk was packed full, filled to the brim.

Apart from the usual expensive cigarettes, alcohol, and gift boxes seen on the market, there were even more items that appeared understated yet were in fact priceless rarities.

Shane rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing a small arm with smooth lines, and personally began taking out the variously sized gift boxes.

His stature was tall and upright; even when doing these somewhat trivial tasks, he exuded an aura of elegant nobility.

"Did you empty out an auction house’s warehouse or something?" Stella couldn’t help but move closer, whispering as her fingertips brushed over the cool golden nanmu box.

Shane turned to look at her, the light from the corridor casting fragmented shadows into his deep eyes. His lips curled slightly, "It’s my first official visit as your fiancé to celebrate; it can’t be too shabby."

He paused, leaned close to her ear, and, in a magnetic, husky voice, spoke soft, warm air brushing her ear, "Besides, having taken the Sterling’s most precious Pearl away, I must make a good impression to ease your parents’ minds."

Stella’s ears grew hot, and she glared at him with a feigned annoyance, yet inside she felt as if steeped in honey, sweet to the core.

At this moment, the villa door opened from the inside, and Isla Sutton greeted them, wearing an apron with an uncontrollable smile on her face: "Heard the car, come in quickly, it’s cold outside... oh my!"

She paused mid-sentence, seeing the small mountain of gifts at Shane’s feet, and was taken aback, "Shane, child, it’s enough that you came, why bring so many things? It’s too formal!"

Shane carefully placed a heavy box filled with ancient and rare books to the side, stood straight, and nodded respectfully to Isla Sutton, "A small token of appreciation, hardly sufficient. Congratulations to Uncle."

Theodore Sterling also came out upon hearing this uproar, and seeing the scene before him, his stern face revealed a hint of helpless yet satisfied smile: "Shane, you are too kind. Come in quickly; the meal is prepared and waiting for you."

The family happily entered the house.

In the dining room, the large round table was already filled with delicious dishes, evidently meticulously prepared by Isla and the servants.

After sitting down, the atmosphere was harmonious.

Isla continuously placed food onto Shane’s and Stella’s plates, her gaze shifting between them with growing satisfaction.

"Shane, have some more of this abalone sauce with fish maw; I watched it stew over perfect heat for hours; it’s the most nourishing." Isla placed a piece of crystal-clear stewed fish maw into Shane’s bowl.

"Thank you, Aunt." Shane tasted it fluidly, nodding in appreciation, "The timing is impeccable, it’s fresh but not greasy, brilliant craftsmanship on your part, Aunt."

Isla instantly beamed with joy.

Theodore uncorked a bottle of treasured wine, poured a glass for Shane, and the two of them sipped slowly, conversing about business trends and financial movements. During the conversation, Theodore expressed considerable admiration for Shane’s insight and vision.

After a few rounds of drinks, the dinner topics inevitably shifted to family matters.

Isla sighed, her tone mingling concern and reproach: "Aidan is truly becoming less of a homebody each day. It’s nearly New Year and he’s still abroad working, rarely calls, and says he’s handling business but it’s very secretive."

Theodore held his wine glass and snorted: "He has grown wings, let him be. At his age, he’ll have his own ideas." Despite his words, a trace of concern flitted across his brow.

Seeing this, Stella quickly pulled out her phone, laughing: "I’ll call my brother now and urge him to see when he plans to return."

As she spoke, she dialed Aidan Sterling for a video call.

After several rings, the call was connected, and on the screen appeared Aidan’s slightly weary yet still stern face.

The background seemed to be a hotel suite, the lighting somewhat dim.

"Brother!" Stella raised her smiling face, "We’re having dinner at home, parents miss you, when are you coming back?"

On the screen, seeing family, Aidan’s severe expression softened somewhat. He rubbed his brow, his voice carrying the hoarseness of a late-night: "Dad, Mom... Stella."

His gaze swept over Shane through the lens, nodded slightly as a greeting, and then said to Stella: "The matters here... will soon be wrapped up. If all goes well, I can return next week."

Isla immediately leaned towards the camera and asked eagerly: "Next week? Will you make it back in time for New Year’s Eve?"

Aidan looked at his mother’s eager face, nodded confidently, "Yes, rest assured, I’ll make it back for New Year’s Eve."

"That’s good, looking forward to your return." Stella felt relieved and chatted with him a bit more before hanging up.

The dinner was lively and happy.

After the meal, Theodore and Shane played chess in the study, discussing some business matters.

Meanwhile, Stella accompanied her mother in the living room, enjoying tea and chatting, talking about the preparations for her firm’s new branch, Isla listening with frequent nods, proud of her.

When leaving The Sterling Villa, night had fallen deeply.

Isla watched Shane carefully pin Stella’s scarf and protectively escort her to the car, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Back indoors, the servants had begun tidying the dining table.

Isla looked at the mountain-like pile of gifts in the corner of the living room and couldn’t help but once again remark: "Shane really is thoughtful. Look at these gifts he chose, not only are they valuable, each one matches my tastes, clearly he took the time to inquire."

She picked up the brocade box containing the Sheep Fat Jade Carved Pine Crane Longevity Ornament, feeling its smooth warmth, exclaiming again: "This child, he really went all out..."

Theodore sat on the sofa, holding the freshly brewed hot tea from the servant, nodding with a smile, evidently extremely satisfied with this future son-in-law: "Yes, Shane is always reliable and thorough. With Stella entrusted to him, we have nothing to worry about."

Isla instructed the servants to categorize the gifts in batches to temporarily store them in the underground storage.

Theodore originally intended to help.

However, at that moment, his phone on the coffee table suddenly lit up and emitted a low buzzing vibration.

Theodore casually picked it up and glanced at the caller ID, seeing an unfamiliar number without any notes.

Thinking nothing of it, assuming it was ordinary business contact or a sales call, he casually swiped to answer and placed the phone to his ear.

"Hello, who is this?"

Just a moment of silence from the other end, then came a somewhat deep male voice—

"Uncle Sterling, it’s me..."

The voice paused, as if making a certain resolve, then slowly spoke the following two words:

"...Owen Callahan."