To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 132

"Did I give you permission to speak?"

Brian gazed at Elara, eyes half-lidded, a smile playing on his lips.

Elara clenched her teeth and fell silent.

Jason knew the sooner this little gathering ended, the better for everyone.

He cleared his throat. "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent, for your gracious hospitality, but it's getting late—"

Brian cut him off. "In a hurry to leave, Mr. Lawrence? Is there something on your mind?"

Jason's lips curved into a cold smile. "You're joking, Mr. Vincent."

A glimmer of menace flickered in Brian's eyes.

"My wife doesn't pour wine for just anyone, you know. If you pass up this chance, Mr. Lawrence, there won't be another."

Jason arched an eyebrow, his smile never reaching his eyes. "Mrs. Vincent is a true gem, a blessing for you, Mr. Vincent. We wouldn't dream of crossing any lines."

Brian nodded, satisfied. "For a moment, I thought you'd been so busy running Blackstar Technologies, you'd forgotten where the lines are. I was planning to have a word with your father about the Lawrence family's values. But hearing you say this, I suppose my concerns were misplaced."

His words landed like ice—an unmistakable warning.

Jason's expression hardened, frost settling in his eyes.

"That's enough, Brian!" Elara snapped.

She grabbed her glass of wine, and with a sharp twist of her wrist, emptied the entire bottle into the steaming pool.

"I've been open and honest in my relationship with Mr. Lawrence. What right do you have to threaten him? I've already given you everything you wanted—if you push any further, we'll see who loses more in the end!"

She tried to stand, but her knees, stiff and aching from kneeling on the cold stones for too long, refused to cooperate. She collapsed back down, rubbing her legs desperately, willing the pins and needles to fade.

Brian's face was a mask of icy contempt. He opened his mouth to retort, but just then Yves Caldwell hurried over.

He crouched by the pool, leaning in to whisper, "Mr. Vincent, you've suffered a blow to your reputation. We've lost two major strategic investment deals, and now some shareholders are lobbying the board to move a motion of no confidence against you."

Jason happened to be passing between them.

The attacker couldn't stop in time and crashed hard into Jason's side.

Caught off guard, Jason was sent flying by the impact—straight toward Elara.

Behind her, the ground sloped away into darkness—who knew how steep or dangerous the drop might be. In the split second she had to react, Elara realized that if she dodged, Jason would go tumbling over the edge.

Without thinking, she reached out to catch him. But their combined momentum smashed through the railing, and together they tumbled down the slope.

"Help! Somebody, help!" Ryan shouted.

He seized a nearby chair and, while the attacker was still reeling, swung it hard at their back.

Meanwhile, as Brian's car door closed, Yves thought he heard a commotion behind them. He glanced back, but the pool was hidden by a wall of greenery.

"Mr. Vincent, I think something's happening back there. Want me to check it out?"