To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 171

Elara hadn't managed to explain things clearly over the phone, so she decided to visit Celestial River Estates in person.

She also brought along the deer antler tonic that Jason had given her a few days ago.

Rose couldn't help teasing her. "Look at you, Elara—shopping on a whole new level these days."

"It was a gift from a gullible friend," Elara replied offhandedly, then turned to her grandfather to ask about the painting.

Gage, after some time recuperating, looked healthier but still carried a cloud of sadness.

"‘Frozen Legacy' has been in the Linden family for generations," he began, his voice heavy. "But after the family fortunes turned, I had to sell it just to keep everyone afloat. Now I hear it'll be up for auction tomorrow night. I still have a little saved up…"

He pressed a bank card into Elara's hand.

"Ryan Linden is gone. I've let our ancestors down. There's a hundred thousand on this card—if you can buy the painting back, at least I'll have done one thing right. And if you can't… well, then so be it."

His eyes were full of sorrow.

Elara remembered the card Ryan had left with her, the one holding half a million.

She arched her brow. "I'll go take a look. If it makes sense, I'll buy it."

The following evening, at the Cloudcrest Hotel's Serenity Hall.

It was a private auction, so only a select few had been invited—the kind of people who moved in the highest circles, who had both wealth and taste.

Elara wore a deep blue French-style dress. The simple cut accentuated her slender waist, and the square neckline hinted at her delicate collarbones. The three-quarter sleeves showed smooth, pale wrists, and as she moved, the skirt swirled around graceful legs, each step radiating poise.

Brian knew all too well how to choose dresses that concealed her best features. Every time he took her to an event, he'd make sure she wore something that dulled her shine, so that, to outsiders, Mrs. Vincent was always just an unremarkable woman in the crowd.

Tonight, though, she'd come alone. The beauty Brian always tried to hide now shimmered with every movement, drawing every eye in the room.

"Hey, you're here too?" Lina called, her hand tucked into her mother's arm, strolling over as if there'd never been any bad blood between them.

Nanette smiled as well. "Elara, if you'd told us you were coming, we could have made an evening of it. Brian promised Lina she could pick out a gift at the auction—what about you? Does he know what you're here for?"

The Vincents had been embroiled in scandal recently, and this mother-daughter pair was quick to seize any opportunity to polish their image.

Nanette hissed, "I sent him those photos of her with another man, and he didn't even get upset—what am I supposed to do?"

"If your brain can't handle it, just give up," Lina sneered. "Even if I get shipped off abroad, I'll still live the high life. And you…"

She let out a cold laugh.

"I might even get the chance to come back for your funeral."

She grabbed a glass of champagne and stalked off to look at the auction items.

Nanette's breath came quick and shallow, her hatred simmering beneath the surface.

Upstairs, on the second floor, Zane stood by the window in the lounge, watching the crowd below.

His assistant hesitated, then ventured, "This Miss Jules does look a little like your wife, and she's got quite the personality. Looks like she's really going to divorce Brian. Honestly, with Mrs. Vincent missing for so many years, no one would blame you for keeping someone else around."

Zane's eyes were calm and quiet. "If I hadn't been sure of what I wanted back then, I wouldn't have married her—whether she's ever found or not, I'll keep my vows for a lifetime. You've been single so long you're getting ideas about the cleaning robots. Go find yourself a girlfriend before you lose your mind."