Stella looked at the blurred version of herself in the photograph, then at Shane Donovan ahead, who seed to emit light, and a very subtle feeling surged within her.
Back then, Shane Donovan was in their high school, and he was a god-like figure.
Not just because of that face, but because of his dazzling resu — top scorer in college entrance exams, student council president, countless competition gold dals...
The school’s honor roll and bulletin board were plastered with his photos and achievents.
By the ti she was in high school, he had long graduated, but the legends of him still circulated.
The girls talked about him during breaks, elevating him as a male god who was only to be admired from afar and not to be tampered with.
Who could have imagined, a few years later, he would beco her fiancé, and just minutes ago... almost ended up rolling in bed with her?
Fate is truly... wondrous.
"What’s capturing your attention so much?"
A deep, husky voice suddenly sounded from behind, carrying the humidity from a recent shower.
Stella was startled, turning around abruptly.
Shane Donovan had co out at so unknown ti, changed into a set of dark gray silk pajamas, his hair damply hanging before his forehead, less sharp than usual, more languid and... sexy.
Water droplets slid down his chiseled profile, glided over the prominent Adam’s apple, disappearing into the pajama collar.
His gaze fell on the photo wall, his eyes seed to soften for a mont.
Stella felt like a child caught doing sothing mischievous, cheeks slightly warm, subconsciously pointing to the photo, "Look... this person looks like . I didn’t expect us to be in the sa fra, what a coincidence."
Shane Donovan looked in the direction she pointed, his gaze rested on the photo for a few seconds, eyes slightly shifting.
He gave a faint "hmm", his tone devoid of any detectable emotion: "Is that so? Didn’t notice."
Stella: "..."
She lightly pursed her lips, intentionally teasing, "Who would’ve thought President Donovan to have such a collection of his own photos? Do you have a daily ritual of admiring them?"
Shane raised an eyebrow, took a few steps closer, the fresh scent of shower gel mixed with his unique masculine aroma enveloped her.
He lowered his gaze to her, a hint of teasing in his eyes, "Jealous?"
"Jealous of what?" Stella said, baffled.
"Jealous of my abundant solo photos, lacking a picture with you..." he spoke earnestly.
Stella was imdiately rendered speechless, glaring at him in mild irritation, "Who would be jealous over such a thing!"
She paused, unable to resist her curiosity, pointing at the photo where they appeared together, "By the way, who took this photo? It’s quite... natural."
Capturing her so blurry, yet Shane so clearly!
Negative review!
Shane Donovan’s gaze swept over the photo, his tone casual: "A friend took it spontaneously, thought the composition was nice, so I had it developed."
He paused, seemingly recalling sothing, leaned close to her, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe, his voice low, magnetic with allure: "What? Is Mrs. Donovan thinking of taking clearer ones... for personal collection?"
The suggestive words instantly reminded Stella of the earlier intimacy, her cheeks warming up again with a "boom".
"Shane Donovan! Can you think of anything healthy in that brain of yours!" She pushed away his approaching face in bashful annoyance.
Shane Donovan took her wrist with a low laugh, his chest vibrating, sharing that sense of delight with her hand.
He raised an eyebrow, his other hand gently pinching her cheek, the gesture affectionate and natural, "What’s unhealthy about thinking of my own fiancée? My Little Counselor Sterling?"
His fingertips, still cool from the shower, touched her feverish skin, evoking a subtle shiver.
Stella’s heart once again betrayed her by speeding up.
Stella’s heart sped up unwillingly, she shifted her gaze instinctively, her peripheral vision inadvertently catching another photo —
"Huh?" She pointed to a corner of the photo, "In this one... I’m in it too?"
She tilted her head, looking thoroughly incredulous.
Is the world really this small?
Such a coincidence?
Yet in her mory, she could hardly recollect any connection with Shane Donovan...
Shane Donovan stood beside her, his gaze swept deeply over the photos on the wall, his Adam’s apple moved slightly, ultimately turning into a very light, nearly inaudible chuckle, without responding.
Not having received an answer, Stella turned suspiciously to look at him, only to et his smiling deep eyes that seed to hide hooks ready to snatch a person’s soul.
"What’s so funny?" Her heart skipped a beat once again.
"So..." He leaned closer, pulling them even nearer, their noses almost touching, his voice lowered again, magnetic, "Did you deduce the conclusion? That I... already had a secret crush on you then?"
He was so close, his fresh scent mixed with the shower water vapor, aggressively occupying her senses.
Stella only felt her blood rushing to her head, brain lacking oxygen, and all cognitive functions shutting down.
"Nonsense! I didn’t think that!" She pushed him away in bashful annoyance, her hand t his firm, warm chest, the silk pajamas offering a shockingly clear touch, "I’m going back!"
Seeing her ears turn bright red, Shane Donovan knew if he continued teasing, the little fox might really puff up and bite.
He stopped while ahead, straightening up, smoothly holding her resistant hand, the corners of his mouth curving into a delightful smile, "Fine, I’ll walk you back."
...
The next day, at Serene Law Firm.
While Stella was busy, Finn Lockwood ca knocking with a file in hand: "Boss, there’s a new case, take a look."
"What case?"
"It’s a dical dispute, the client is an elderly lady claiming severe side effects after using a certain drug at the hospital, but both the hospital and the pharmaceutical company are evading responsibility." Finn Lockwood handed over the docunts, "The evidence is sowhat complex, and the opposing counsel is Cleartstone Law Firm, led by Ethan Sterling, hence few dare to take on this case..."
Stella’s hand paused as she received the file, "Ethan Sterling?"
"Yes, it’s Attorney Hawthorne in charge." Finn Lockwood scratched his head, "Shall we take this case? Could it be considered sensitive?"
Stella quickly scanned the case summary, brows furrowing slightly, "What sensitivity? We are lawyers, only responsible to the client and facts. Contact the client, set up a ti for a detailed discussion."
"Understood!" Finn Lockwood promptly agreed.
In the afternoon, Stella and Finn Lockwood arrived at the cramped apartnt building rented by Old Mrs. Lawson as scheduled.
The environnt was sowhat noisy, with clutter piled in the hallway.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they heard a fierce argunt inside.
"Get out! All of you get out! What kind of lousy lawyers! You’re all in cahoots with those heartless hogs! Tricking us into signing! Stealing our house!" A strong, elderly yet robust male voice roared.
"Sir, calm down, we’re here to help you..." a very familiar male voice followed.
Stella paused —
Jasper Hawthorne?
Why is he here?
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