To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 172

Quincy Shelton's smile froze for just a moment. "Mr. Vincent and Mr. Ryan will be here tonight as well. I'm guessing they'll try to talk you into coming home again."

At those words, the faint, almost imperceptible smile on Zane's lips slowly faded.

…

Elara quickly found the painting—Frozen Legacy.

As she studied it, Jason's voice sounded from behind her. "Three centuries old, by the renowned artist Henry Yule. You have a keen eye, Miss Jules."

Elara smiled. "Not as keen as yours, Mr. Lawrence. I hear business is booming at your company—must be nice to have the leisure for art auctions."

Jason, immune to her jabs by now, only laughed. "My brother's already drafted the divorce papers. When will you two finally sit down and talk?"

They were both seasoned players—Elara could easily see through his intentions.

Still gazing at the painting, her expression stayed calm. "I've already filed the petition today. No need to trouble yourself, Mr. Lawrence."

Jason pressed his lips together. "You can never have too many friends."

Elara arched a brow. "I thought you and I were strictly business, Mr. Lawrence?"

At that moment, the lights dimmed and the auction began.

The first few items were snapped up quickly.

Then Frozen Legacy appeared, and Elara was the first to raise her paddle.

"Fifty thousand!" called the auctioneer.

Lina jumped in immediately. "Sixty thousand!"

Elara had expected Lina to play dirty but was grateful Ryan had made sure her card was well-stocked.

But when Elara pushed the price to seventy thousand, Nanette's voice rang out across the room: "One million!"

Elara was completely blindsided.

Nanette's triumphant voice followed: "Whatever Lina wants, Brian wants. Let's see who dares challenge her!"

The implication was clear—Elara, as Mrs. Vincent, didn't count for much.

Around them, guests unfamiliar with the Vincent family started whispering, and the rumors about Brian doting on his stepsister while neglecting his wife suddenly seemed all too believable.

Upstairs in the lounge, Quincy Shelton whispered, "Weren't you interested in the painting, too? Maybe you could let them have it…"

"She's Brian's woman. It's not my place to be generous," Zane replied, turning to leave.

Just then, Brian received a message from Yves Caldwell and walked into the auction hall.

People kept offering her champagne to celebrate, and she forced down two glasses before finally escaping the crowd.

Brian watched her walk away, but couldn't bring himself to follow.

He told himself she just needed time—once she saw he'd changed, she'd come back.

Lina stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, uncertain whether to leave or stay.

Brian looked at her, his tone icy. "You have no right to offer her anything. And even if she doesn't want it, that doesn't mean it's yours to have."

With that, he returned to the lounge to handle business.

"See that? If your ‘brilliant ideas' actually worked, would I be humiliated like this?" Lina hissed, grinding her teeth.

Nanette rushed to reassure her. "Don't worry. I slipped something extra into Elara's drinks and reserved a cozy suite for her and her little lover. Just wait—when Brian sees her with another man, he'll never forgive her. Their marriage is as good as over."

…

With the painting in hand, Elara felt lightheaded and uncomfortably warm, her heart racing.

After only a few steps, a wave of dizziness hit her, and she reached out to steady herself against the wall.

"Are you alright? Are you feeling sick?"