Chapter 417: Chapter 417: Stella, Let Brother Shawn Love You?
Henry Starkâs gaze fell upon Freya Sterling. He softened his tone and said, "Freya Sterling, if it were you, how would you reply to these two messages?"
Freya Sterling blinked and said cautiously, "I wouldnât reply to him."
She actually remembered those two private messages. She hadnât replied at the time because she had only posted on Little Blue Book to vent, not to seek comfort from a stranger.
She had been upset and wasnât in the mood to respond to comments or private messages. As for the other personâs username, she paid it even less attention.
If Rui Tucker hadnât been in that accident, she wouldnât have even noticed the name "Brother Shawn".
Hearing her words, Henry Stark asked, "Then would you mind if we replied in your place?"
Freya Sterling knew they were trying to lure out the killer, so she shook her head gently. "I donât mind."
She unlocked her phone and pushed it forward.
"Thank you for your cooperation." Henry Stark picked up her phone, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "The content youâve posted..."
Before he could finish, Freya Sterling had already answered, "You can look."
It was all just some melodramatic whining about life. Compared to finding the killer, it was nothing.
"Thank you." Henry Stark briefly scrolled through her posts before returning to the private message screen and carefully composing a few words.
[Iâm in so much pain. Why canât she think about me for once...]
He didnât send it right away. Instead, he handed the phone to Renee Jennings and Sawyer. "What do you two think? Is this okay to send?"
Renee Jennings nodded. "Itâs good."
Sawyer nodded too. "I think itâs good, too."
Having gotten the approval of the two women, Henry Stark pressed send.
He placed the phone on the table, and the conference room fell silent.
Kyle Morgan pushed open the conference room door, breaking the silence. He frowned and said, "The guyâs hiding his IP address. I canât trace it."
This was actually what Henry Stark had expected.
He pressed his lips together, his expression calm. "All we can do now is wait for him to reply to Freya Sterlingâs message."
ăAt the same time.ă
At a university in Zenvia, a man dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, with a pair of metal-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, walked elegantly out of a lecture hall.
Passing students greeted him from time to time.
"Teacher Quinn, class is over."
"You look so handsome today, Teacher Quinn."
"Teacher Quinn..."
"Yes, class is over. Handsome? Youâre not just pulling my leg, are you..." Teacher Quinn smiled, responding to each student as he walked back to his office.
He picked up the ceramic mug on his desk, removed the lid, and stood up to get some water.
A colleague in the same office saw him and teased with a smile, "Teacher Quinn, being too popular is its own kind of trouble, isnât it? You come back parched every time."
"Popular? Not at all," Teacher Quinn said with a laugh as he walked back to his seat. "Iâm just a bit long-winded."
He set the ceramic mug down, sat back in his cubicle, and took his phone out of his trouser pocket.
The screen showed a new message notification from Little Blue Book.
The corners of the manâs mouth curved up. He glanced around the room, then unlocked his phone and opened the app.
DING-DONGâ
The phone screen on the conference table lit up, and all eyes turned to it.
Freya Sterling slowly reached out, unlocked the screen, and saw the message. Her eyes flickered, and she exclaimed, "He replied!"
She instinctively shoved the phone at Renee Jennings.
Brother Shawn: [Stella, your mother doesnât understand you, but Brother Shawn understands you. Maybe Brother Shawn can help ease your pain.]
Renee Jennings was still holding the phone, having just finished reading the message, when another one came in from him.
Brother Shawn: [Stella, you might not trust a stranger like me, but I sincerely want to help you.]
She passed the phone to the others.
After reading the two messages, Henry Stark held the phone with his slender fingers and typed out a few words: [Can you... really help me?]
He pressed send.
The reply was almost instantaneous: [Of course. As long as you want me to, as long as youâre willing, Brother Shawn will always stand by your side without a second thought. Stella, itâs okay if your mother doesnât love you. Brother Shawn will love you.]
Henry Stark typed a few words, then deleted them. Finally, he handed the phone to Sawyer. "You reply."
Sawyer took the phone like it was a hot potato, hesitated for a moment, then looked to Renee Jennings for help.
"Let me." Renee Jennings took the phone from her and quickly typed out a few words.
[But sheâs my mother. Why doesnât she love me...]
Brother Shawn: [Stella, you and your mother just arenât fated to be close. Donât torture yourself over her. You are wonderful. If she doesnât love you, someone else will. Stella, let Brother Shawn love you, okay?]
Renee Jennings stared at the reply, her slender brows knitting together.
âIf a hurt and heartbroken person saw messages like this, it would indeed be very easy to believe him.â
[Really? Will you really love me? No! Impossible! Youâre lying to me. No one will ever love me. This world is so cruel. No one will ever love me.]
Brother Shawn: [Are you willing to give me a chance? If youâre willing, I will come and love you.]
Renee Jennings didnât reply. She locked the phone screen and said coolly, "Letâs leave him hanging for a bit."
"Teacher Quinn? Teacher Quinn?"
Teacher Quinn was staring at his phone screen when he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. He immediately flipped the phone face down, a flash of annoyance crossing his eyes before he looked up at the other person with a smile. "Mr. Hawkins, what is it?"
The middle-aged Mr. Hawkins, holding a black thermos, said, "Teacher Quinn, what are you looking at so intently? I was just going to tell you weâre all getting lunch together."
"Sounds good." Teacher Quinn raised a hand to adjust his glasses. "Itâs nothing. Just looking at a studentâs question."
"Teacher Quinn, you spoil those kids too much," Mr. Hawkins said as he returned to his own cubicle. "Letâs get stir-fry for lunch. I have a coupon."
Everyone agreed.
Teacher Quinn picked up his phone again, his brow furrowed, and started typing once more.
DING-DONGâ
Freya Sterlingâs phone screen lit up again.
After Renee Jennings had her unlock it, she saw a new message from Brother Shawn.
[Stella, what will it take to make you believe Iâm sincere? Please donât ignore me.]
Renee Jennings began to type a reply: [I donât know... What am I supposed to do?]
Brother Shawn: [Stella, donât worry. With Brother Shawn here, youâre not alone. Thereâs no need to feel lost or afraid. Iâll be with you.]
Renee Jennings thought for a moment, then replied: [Brother Shawn, can I meet you? Iâm just so lost.]
Brother Shawn: [You want to meet me?]
[Can I?]
Brother Shawn: [Of course you can. Do you like the ocean? I think the sound of the waves can heal the soul. Stella, how about Brother Shawn takes you to see the ocean?]
[Okay. Can you take me now?]
Brother Shawn: [Not just yet. You have to pass a little test before Stella can meet Brother Shawn.]
Renee Jennings stared at the message for a few seconds, then handed the phone to Henry Stark. "Should I keep replying?"
The man lowered his gaze, thinking for a few seconds. His voice was cool as he said, "Itâs almost time for lunch. Letâs eat first. He should be more anxious than we are."