Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 13: Big Brother’s Nemesis—Shane Donovan
October in Riveria.
The fine rain seemed to be mixed with indigo blue, dyeing the whole world into a misty, smoky blue.
Stella Sterling gazed at the Riveria rain outside the car window, momentarily lost in thought, realizing that such beautiful scenery could never be found in Kenton.
"Do we really have to dress like this?" Finn Lockwood tugged at his red tie, frowning in the rearview mirror, "Feels like I’m selling insurance."
Stella withdrew her gaze and said seriously, "This is our law firm’s first case. We must make a grand entrance."
Finn glanced at Stella in the rearview mirror, with her crimson lipstick, a black suit depicting a slender waistline, and a coral-red brooch on her chest...
She did look good.
But would it work?
Were they resorting to mysticism now?
Finn pouted, even though he knew he was dampening their own spirits and boosting the other’s morale. Still, he muttered with a gloomy face, "Boss, Innovatech’s legal department has three top-tier legal teams. Their boss, Shane Donovan, just bankrupted a rival company last year..."
Upon hearing a familiar name, Stella was momentarily dazed.
Shane Donovan...
Her brother Aidan Sterling’s nemesis.
Since childhood, she had heard of this prodigy, a figure of great influence wherever he went.
It was said he founded Innovatech Bio in his first year of college, and in merely three years, Innovatech Bio was about to go public with a market value of billions.
Now, with Innovatech Bio in full swing, some opportunistic companies were trying to copy its success, leading to a spate of lawsuits. Innovatech’s legal department hit back hard, setting an example to deter future offenders.
Therefore, had it not been for every law firm fearing Innovatech’s methods, this case would never have fallen into the hands of their newly established law firm that was less than a month old.
Stella pressed her lips together—fate surely had a sense of humor.
She collected her thoughts, clenched her fist for encouragement, with a face full of determination: "So we need to file before they do and keep the compensation below a million."
Finn quickly glanced at the rearview mirror, "Tough task!"
"Shut up!"
Before the words were fully spoken, the business vehicle had come to a stop in front of Innovatech Tower.
The glass facade reflected the flowing clouds as if the entire sky of Riveria was pasted onto the wall.
Stella gazed at the hurried figures in suits passing through the revolving door and suddenly recalled the first time five years ago when she visited a client with Jasper Hawthorne. Now, remembering it felt like a lifetime ago.
"Hello, we are from Serene Law Firm, scheduled to meet with your legal department at ten."
"Meeting room on the twenty-second floor."
"Thank you."
Stella and Finn entered the elevator, its cabin adorned with dark gold patterns, the numbers rising continuously.
The elevator mirror reflected her raven-black suit dress, like a white camellia placed in a Jun kiln porcelain vase.
Glancing at Finn beside her, Stella suddenly chuckled softly, "Finn Lockwood, why are you trembling?"
"..."
Finn wore a despondent expression, "I... I’m just nervous. We’re about to meet Elias Peyton, Innovatech’s legal director, someone on par with Kenton’s top lawyer, Jasper Hawthorne."
Upon abruptly hearing ’Jasper Hawthorne’s name, Stella’s smile faltered slightly, and she momentarily lost focus. She then curled her lips, "What’s to fear? They’re all just flesh and bone, no more skilled than us with words!"
"Boss, they’re industry bigwigs in the legal world."
"All bigwigs have issues; we don’t sympathize with them."
"..."
The two bantered their way to the twenty-second floor.
The moment the meeting room door opened, a room full of aromatic incense greeted them.
Although Stella had claimed not to be afraid before coming, upon seeing Elias Peyton flanked by over a dozen suited lawyers...
She took a deep breath, smiling as she shook hands with Elias Peyton, "Counselor Peyton, hello."
"It’s really Little Junior Sterling..." Elias Peyton’s lips curved slightly as he shook hands, "When I saw the name, I thought it was just a coincidence."
Since the other party actively struck up a rapport, Stella returned the smile fully, "Senior Peyton, it’s been a long time."
"Serene Law Firm..." Elias eyed Stella with a half-smile, "So Little Junior Sterling finally saw the light, no longer aiding and abetting certain others."
Stella knew exactly who Elias was referring to.
In terms of legal acumen, Elias Peyton indeed couldn’t compare to Jasper Hawthorne, but when it came to dealing with people...
Even ten Jasper Hawthornes couldn’t outwit Elias Peyton.
Back then, Jasper always had Stella by his side to clear obstacles for him.
Elias Peyton’s leaving Kenton was due to a "If there’s Jasper, why is there Elias?" situation. Now thriving in Riveria, it seemed to be a blessing in disguise.
Ironically, Stella found herself working in Elias Peyton’s territory—fate played tricks, indeed.
Upon realizing that Elias Peyton knew her boss, Finn Lockwood suddenly felt hopeful—there was a chance in this lawsuit!
However, as soon as they were seated, Elias Peyton immediately revealed sharp claws and left Finn in a stupor.
"The infringement by your company is clear, and we’re requesting a 30% increase in the compensation amount."
"As for Counselor Sterling’s claim of ’non-intentional misconduct,’ it’s utterly groundless. The evidence we have doesn’t support that. Would you like to have a look?"
A pile of evidence was slapped in front of Stella.
This was no place for legal loopholes and evasions.
It was enough to be termed criminal evidence.
Stella silently cursed, ’Old sly fox,’ wondering why Jasper Hawthorne never managed to defeat him!
Despite the internal grumbling, Stella remained composed, pushing the case file toward the long table opposite, "Your company’s claim for punitive damages requires proof of our malicious intent. According to Article 62 of the Patent Law, my client falls under goodwill use..."
The exchange was intense, with swords almost visibly drawn.
And just as Stella felt today’s case wouldn’t end well, the meeting room door was pushed open.
Suddenly, everyone in the legal department stood up in unison. Stella saw Elias Peyton’s back straighten instantly.
Instinctively she turned around—
The man stood against the light, his well-tailored black suit enveloping a lean waist, his arm revealing a watch as he unbuttoned his cuffs, radiating an inexplicable aura of restraint.
—Shane Donovan!
Why was he here?
Stella’s heart tightened, knowing this case wouldn’t end amicably, and Shane Donovan would likely take out his anger, possibly bankrupting the company she was representing!
"President Donovan." Elias Peyton’s voice was tense, "Why did you come? We could handle such a minor issue in legal affairs."
Shane Donovan seated himself at the head of the table, with the crystal chandelier casting shadows over his brow.
Yet, he ignored Elias Peyton, lowering his eyes to flip through the documents on the table, the sound of his watch chain hitting the hardwood table suddenly paused as he looked up at Stella, "Our Little Counselor Sterling, right?"
"..."
—You’re calling me that childish nickname?
Shane Donovan’s words shifted all attention onto Stella.
She forced out a stiff smile, pretending not to know him, "Hello, President Donovan..."
Shane Donovan leaned back into his chair, his long legs in a suit crossing over each other, a seemingly playful curve at the corner of his lips, "Why so formal? You used to call me brother, didn’t you?"
"..."
Stella nearly choked on her breath.
What did he mean, used to call him brother?
She had never done that, right?
Her brother was right after all—this sly old fox was nothing but trouble!
She should have never been blinded by profit and taken on this lawsuit!
