To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 125

Just then, Jason stepped out of the café with his assistant in tow.

Clearly still fuming, he didn't acknowledge them at all, heading straight for the black Phantom parked by the curb.

Thinking fast, Elara tucked the cookie back into her bag.

"All right, I'll hold you to that. I'll call you sometime—make sure you pick up," she said brightly.

With that, she spun on her heel and hurried after Jason.

Ryan's hand, mid-reach for the cookie, hovered awkwardly in the air before he let it drop, unsure what to do.

Jason had just slid into the car when, in a blur, someone darted in after him and took the seat beside him.

Meeting his cold, impassive gaze, Elara felt her nerves tighten.

"Sorry, Mr. Lawrence, but I need to borrow your car for a bit."

Jason's face betrayed nothing, but Elara could almost see the silent accusation written there.

Who was it that said we'd never see each other again?

And now you're making yourself comfortable in my car—care to explain?

Clutching her purse, Elara grew tense, half-expecting him to order her right back out.

"I've got another secret about Brian for you," she offered quietly.

"Does Miss Jules still have any credit with me?" Jason's tone was completely flat.

She answered in a small voice, "I suppose I do—though not much."

The assistant was still holding the car door open, waiting for Jason's signal.

She'd never met anyone quite like Miss Jules before; one minute she'd left her boss stewing in anger, and the next she was shamelessly hustling back to sell out her own husband.

Good thing she's a woman, the assistant thought. If she were a man, the boss would've snapped her neck by now.

"Drive."

At Jason's command, the assistant, mortified but efficient, shut the door and slipped quickly into the driver's seat.

The car eased into traffic.

Outside Jade House.

"Is Jason really the one who helped stir up the controversy online for Mrs. Caldwell? How on earth do they know each other?"

Yves Caldwell could hardly believe it.

Brian's gaze returned, his voice utterly unreadable.

"She certainly knows how to court disaster. Jason's ghost ship doesn't let anyone off halfway. She's better off in my hands—at least when I torment her, I might still show a bit of mercy."

"If you're looking for a protector, Miss Jules, you'd best play the part. With a face like yours, who knows? You might even win me over."

Elara met his probing gaze, her lashes perfectly still.

"You're mistaken, Mr. Lawrence. This face is for the mirror, not for pleasing anyone else."

"Oh?"

Jason's eyes narrowed, amused and predatory.

A faint smile played at Elara's lips, her eyes glinting coldly.

"Only someone who can catch Brian Caldwell's eye is worth his trouble. Are you really going to let your father believe your brother has what it takes, but you don't?"

Something flickered in Jason's eyes.

"Miss Jules, do you realize how many times you should have died since you climbed into this car?"

Her gravest mistake was letting him know she'd been digging into the Lawrence family's secrets.

But Elara's gaze didn't waver—she looked at him steadily, utterly unafraid.

"In business, isn't it only smart to learn about your partners? I know what I know, and if I don't, I won't pretend otherwise. Why should I waste time playing games, pretending I mean you no harm?"

A subtle fragrance clung to her—a scent both crisp and rare, like white flowers after a winter storm, or the delicate aroma of tea cooling in a porcelain cup.