To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 104

"Could you drop me off at a boutique near the Cloudcrest Hotel? I need to buy a new dress."

The assistant glanced at the man in the passenger seat.

He didn't say a word, just gave a small nod.

The largest ballroom at the Cloudcrest Hotel glittered with gold and crystal, every corner radiating elegance.

For the fourth time, Brian checked his watch, tension etched deep between his brows.

"Don't worry, big brother," Lina said, looping her arm through his. She wore a sleek black cocktail dress, staying by his side to greet guests. "Your wife's always considerate—she's probably just caught up with something."

If not for the high-definition welcome photo of Brian and his wife looping on the main screen, some guests might have mistaken Lina for the lady of the evening.

"Mr. Vincent!" Yves Caldwell hurried over, voice low. "She never came back to Platinum Bay. I don't think she'll make it tonight."

Before anyone could respond, the click of high heels echoed through the hall. Elara strode in, every eye turning her way.

Lina was momentarily speechless.

Elara had even changed her dress. In front of all the guests, Brian stifled his anger and instead walked up to her, taking her hand and resting it firmly on his arm.

Thunderous applause swept through the ballroom.

Not far away, the man and his assistant stepped into the elevator.

"So, she's Brian's wife," the assistant murmured.

The man stayed silent. The assistant gave a low whistle. "Escaped disaster and still rushed back for the anniversary party? She must really love her husband."

The man shot him an impatient look. "If you stopped gossiping, would your local grapevine just die?"

The assistant fell quiet.

"Is this really the time to be petty?" Brian muttered as the emcee began his opening speech, lowering his voice as he glanced at Elara.

She parted her lips, then swallowed the explanation she almost gave.

"You're right. I shouldn't have shown up late. I'm sure you'd have preferred to walk the red carpet arm-in-arm with your darling sister instead."

"Elara!" Brian's jaw clenched as he ground out her name through gritted teeth.

Just then, the emcee invited them onstage to exchange gifts.

"In a minute, Lina will show everyone how sorry she is. Just play along—don't improvise," Brian murmured, forcing a polite smile as he led Elara into the spotlight.

The smile at the corner of Elara's lips deepened.

Rather than lose her composure as Lina had hoped, Elara responded smoothly, "Thank your whole family. If your ancestors could see what a thoughtful descendant you are, I'm sure they'd be bursting with pride."

Lina's smile froze.

Brian shot Elara a warning look, then picked up the diamond necklace from the box.

Lina quickly added, "And now, my brother will fasten this symbol of devotion around his beloved wife's neck."

Elara knew exactly why Lina was so eager—she wanted Elara to remember that whatever glittered on her neck was only what Lina had already discarded.

Just as the necklace was about to slip over her head, Elara sidestepped.

"Why don't we take a look at the gift I've prepared for you?"

Brian's hands, holding the necklace, hovered awkwardly in the air.

At that moment, the main screen flickered and switched.

A high-definition photo filled the ballroom—Lina and Brian, gazing at each other, their eyes locked in an unmistakably intimate moment.