To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 166

Nanette's nails dug into her pale skin until tiny beads of blood welled up in her palm.

…

Early the next morning, Ignition Dynamics posted an official statement on their website.

For a corporate giant like SiliconCrest Group, a slight jab from a company as small as Ignition Dynamics wouldn't normally cause much damage. But because Ignition Dynamics had made their stance so clear, the market's confidence in SiliconCrest Group's future took an even harder hit.

Meanwhile, the SiliconCrest boardroom had erupted into full-blown infighting.

At nine o'clock sharp, the group announced it was suspending trading on its stocks.

Whatever turmoil Brian was going through, Elara simply didn't have the time or energy to care—she was busy packing up her things to get discharged from the hospital.

When she heard footsteps at the door, Elara assumed it was Summer coming to pick her up. Without looking up, she called out, "Someone's already taken care of my discharge papers. Any idea who it was? Whoever did it—"

"Watch out!"

Before she could finish, Ryan's shout cut her off.

Elara spun around to see Ryan—whom she hadn't seen in days—standing between her and Nanette, his hand gripping the blade of a knife Nanette held.

Elara snatched up a chair, ready to swing it at Nanette.

Nanette looked startled and quickly let go of the knife, her voice trembling. "I just came to see her, why are you stopping me?"

Ryan, still keyed up, snapped, "I won't let you hurt her!"

Nanette hurried to explain, "No, I—I came to apologize! I was going to give her the knife, let her do whatever she wants to me, just—please don't let Brian stop paying for my medication."

Elara was so baffled by Nanette's twisted logic that she forgot her anger for a moment. She set the chair down and turned to check Ryan's hand.

"Seriously? You grabbed the blade? Why didn't you go for her wrist?" she scolded.

She called a nurse and had Ryan taken to get his hand bandaged.

When that was finally settled, Elara faced Nanette. "Your medical bills aren't my problem. I'm not the one who cut you off. Get out. Don't come here just to disgust me."

There was no cup set out for Elara.

"You once swore an oath to me," the old lady said coldly, "but you've broken your word and harmed the Vincent family."

Elara lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry, ma'am. The circumstances left me no choice."

The matriarch let out a mirthless chuckle. "My grandson is a shrewd businessman, but when it comes to emotions, he's hopeless. He's set on you—won't let go, no matter what. If you'd guided him properly, would he be in this mess now?"

So, in the old woman's eyes, everything was Elara's fault.

Elara answered calmly, "You once pulled me out of my darkest hour, and I've never forgotten that kindness. Whatever punishment you see fit, I accept."

The old lady nodded, lips curling in a faint smile. "At least you're honest."

As she spoke, John Prescott brought over a delicate porcelain teacup and set it in front of Elara.

The matriarch's voice was cool and unyielding. "This is a high-concentration Heartbreak Elixir. Drink it, and stay here for four hours. If you're still alive when time's up, I'll forgive everything that's happened."