To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 111

Brian suddenly sent the chair beside him crashing to the floor.

It landed with a heavy thud, right at Lina's feet.

She didn't flinch.

"If I wanted to frame your wife, last night would've been the perfect time. But I only told you because I trust you'll handle this discreetly."

The air hung still for several seconds.

Brian's face remained blank, but he crooked a finger at her.

Lina quickly stood and helped him on with his coat.

For a fleeting moment, she felt a spark of joy—he was letting her come close.

"Let me be the one to dress your wounds from now on."

No sooner had the words left her lips than Brian turned and seized her by the throat.

"B-Brian…"

Lina froze, terror draining the color from her face.

His voice was icy. "I've always believed in clear rewards and punishments. If you're useful to me, I'll make sure you have a place in Kingston City. But if you ever get any ideas, I can make you disappear just as quickly."

Lina nodded frantically.

Brian released her.

Her legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor, trembling.

He buttoned up his suit jacket, eyes cold and distant.

"Get out. And don't touch anything of mine again."

"Yes, Brian."

Lina blinked back tears as she hurried out.

Yves Caldwell was waiting outside, a contract folder in hand.

"Miss Winters, please wait a moment. I'll escort you downstairs in a bit."

Lina wiped her eyes. "That won't be necessary, Mr. Caldwell. I know the way—I'll take the service stairs so no one sees."

"Elara, how are the divorce talks going?"

The Vincent family scandal hadn't made it online, but the rumors were raging across the city. Of course her grandfather would hear about it.

Not wanting to worry him, Elara said, "We're still discussing it."

Rose looked displeased.

"Go ask around—men like Mr. Vincent, with his status? Of course he has mistresses. Just because you don't see them here doesn't mean they don't exist. I know for a fact some men have as many as eight wives stashed abroad. So what if Mr. Vincent got caught up with his stepsister? Do you think his wealthy friends will care?"

"Yes, money and power come with their privileges. But there's more to life than what's legal—there's decency, too. Just because something's common doesn't make it right. And those ‘eight wives' you mentioned? That's just treating women like trophies to show off. It's ignorance, not something to be proud of."

Rose dropped her gaze at Elara's retort.

"I'm not saying you should be anyone's mistress. If I'd thought that way, I wouldn't have raised Ryan Linden alone all those years ago. I'm worried about this family. About your grandfather's health. You're under at least two million a month of financial pressure—what's so wrong with swallowing your pride for a while?"

"That's enough!"

Her grandfather's face darkened at Rose's words.

"You've lived with luxury for so long, you've forgotten we're just an ordinary family. There was a time when we survived on the cheapest rice we could find—one dollar a pound. We made it through. Now you want to dump your lavish lifestyle's burden onto Elara, just because she's not your own daughter? If Ryan Linden were here, would you dare treat him the same way?"