Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 45: He Can’t Beat Me

Kenton International Airport, bustling with people.

Stella Sterling was initially worried Jasper Hawthorne would chase after her, continue to pester relentlessly.

But the journey from the hotel to the airport was smooth sailing.

Only then did she breathe a slight sigh of relief.

"Let’s go, it’s time to board."

Stella nodded quickly, walking alongside Shane Donovan towards the VIP aisle, maintaining a perfectly comfortable distance between them, creating a slightly subtle atmosphere.

Shane Donovan had an impressive height and long legs, exuding a cool and noble demeanor. Walking next to Stella, they were a picture-perfect couple, capturing the attention of many passersby.

However, the two didn’t notice a tall, stern-looking man dragging a suitcase, striding swiftly out from the airport exit on the other side...

...

The plane landed smoothly at Riveria Airport.

The moist and chilly air flowed in through the cabin door cracks, carrying Riveria’s signature gentle scent.

Stella almost couldn’t wait to escape this cramped space and the invisible pressure exerted by the man beside her.

Even though Shane Donovan spent most of the flight either resting his eyes or handling files on his tablet, barely interacting with her.

But the less he interacted, the more uneasy Stella felt.

Memories of sharing a room last night... all the details lingered in her mind.

She could vividly recall the fresh, clean woody fragrance on him as he approached, his deep breaths...

"Ahem." Stella choked on her own thoughts, lightly coughed, and instinctively stole a glance at the man next to her.

Shane happened to open his eyes, his deep gaze catching hers before she could turn away.

"We’ve arrived." His tone was calm, revealing no emotion.

"Mm." Stella hurriedly lowered her head, unbuckling her seatbelt.

Disembarking, he naturally stepped aside for her, his arm inadvertently brushing against her back, the warmth penetrating the fabric, making her spine slightly tense.

As they descended the plane one after another, Shane Donovan’s driver was already waiting at the jetway exit, Elias Peyton took Shane’s suitcase.

"Counselor Sterling, do you need a ride?"

"No need, thank you, Counselor Peyton, I’ll just take a cab." Stella quickly waved her hand to refuse.

Shane stood by the car, didn’t initially get in, turned around, his gaze landing on Stella’s slightly flushed ears, lips barely curving.

Stella turned, swiftly hailed a cab, swiftly got in, almost fleeing in embarrassment.

She didn’t look back, hence missing seeing the man remain standing for quite a while until the vehicle vanished around the corner, before softly chuckling and withdrawing his gaze.

"Back to the office." He retracted his smile, returning to his usual cool aloofness.

...

And as soon as Stella reached her law firm, Finn Lockwood came up.

"Boss! Finally you’re back!"

Stella helplessly rubbed her temples, "Did he... come again afterward?"

"No, he didn’t."

Stella secretly sighed in relief.

"Oh right, boss, how’s everything going in Kenton?" Finn asked cautiously.

Stella explained the overall situation, especially the evidence exclusion and the attendant’s retraction.

Finn listened indignantly, "How can Attorney Hawthorne do that?! That’s outrageous!"

"Legally, he did nothing wrong." Stella’s tone was calm, "We left gaps during evidence collection. Now the key is to find direct evidence of the attendant’s retraction, proving he was bribed or coerced."

"Should I investigate that attendant?"

Stella nodded, "Yes, check all his recent bank transactions, scrutinize his relationships, see if he suddenly received any unexplained funds recently! Don’t overlook any clues!"

"Yes, boss!" Finn, knowing the seriousness of the matter, quickly took the task.

Stella began re-evaluating the case files, trying to find overlooked details in the vast pool of data.

Several hours later, Finn soon had progress.

"Boss! I found something!" Finn, sporting dark circles, rushed excitedly into Stella’s office, "That attendant, his mother’s account received a fifty thousand transfer on the third day after the incident!"

Stella perked up, "What’s the source?"

"I traced the transfer record," Finn placed a stack of printed bank transactions before Stella, "The counterpart cleverly laundered through several shell companies and overseas accounts, finally tracing the source..."

He paused, his expression somewhat serious, "It was registered under a ’William Miller’ shell company."

"William Miller?" Stella frowned, the name too common, too deliberate.

"Was it Grace Quinn’s doing? Or did they have someone else do it?"

Stella stared at the unfamiliar name on the screen, her brow furrowed.

Not right.

Her intuition told her, this definitely involved the Quinn mother and daughter.

William Miller... likely just a smokescreen, or a "glove" pushed forward.

"Investigate this William Miller." Stella said seriously, "Check his social relationships, work background, every piece of information you can find!"

"Yes, boss!" Finn quickly energized.

...

Night deepens.

At this time, in the most luxurious booth on the top floor of ’Misty Riveria’ nightclub.

Evan Hughes lounged cross-legged, swirling the wine glass in his hand, watching Shane Donovan with an indifferent expression on the sofa opposite.

"Young Master Donovan, how was your Kenton trip?" Evan Hughes smirked, face full of gossip, "Did you manage to win over our Great Counselor Sterling... in one swoop?"

Shane Donovan raised his eyes, coldly glanced at him, "You’re quite idle?"

"I’m just concerned about my brother’s lifelong matters!" Evan Hughes playfully leaned closer, "Seriously, you seem quite taken with that Sterling girl. Playing the hero, escorting her, now personally going to Kenton to be her buffer... If you have no interest, I’ll write my name backward!"

Shane took a sip of wine, remained silent.

The ambiguous light fell on his chiseled profile, concealing the emotions in his eyes.

"But speaking of," Evan Hughes rubbed his chin, deep in thought, "If The Sterling Cripple knew you’re pursuing his sister, he’d probably fight you to the death!" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Shane put down his glass, tone indifferent, "He can’t beat me."

Evan Hughes: "..."

Is that even the point?!

"Hey, on a serious note," Evan Hughes dropped his joking demeanor, lowered his voice, "Last time I asked you about it, you still haven’t answered me? Five years ago, when you were sick and delirious, was the ’she’ you mentioned actually Stella?"

Shane Donovan’s fingers paused slightly around the wine glass...