To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 176

He only hired people he could trust—leakage was never a problem.

Zane glanced at the firmly shut bathroom door, then turned and headed to the next room to change his clothes.

Twenty minutes later, he slid into Jason's car and headed back to the Lawrence estate.

Zane's presence was so commanding that Ryan, sitting stiffly in the passenger seat, barely dared to breathe.

"The competition in the electric heavy truck market is cutthroat right now. Thirty percent of companies won't survive the year. Who thought it was a good idea for Blackstar to get involved in this mess?"

Zane usually showed little interest in the Lawrence Corporation's affairs, but Jason answered immediately. "Uncle, chaos breeds opportunity. Once I lock down an exclusive contract with Ignition Dynamics for their solid-state truck batteries, we'll be holding a trump card."

"This is just about outmaneuvering Brian again, isn't it?"

Jason's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes.

"The Lawrence family won't keep losing to him."

Was this really about family pride, or just Jason shoring up his own position? Zane saw right through it, but didn't call him out. Instead, a faintly mocking smile tugged at his lips.

"You're tough. I like that."

At the auction venue, the guests had all dispersed, but Elara was nowhere to be seen.

Yves Caldwell leaned in to Brian's side, voice low. "After Mrs. Lawrence accepted the painting, she never came back. Surveillance shows she's still in the hotel, but a staff member said—"

"Get to the point."

Brian's fingers were bone white, the metal of his wristwatch gleaming coldly under the light.

"She might have gone to the ninth floor."

Not far away, Lina sat quietly, looking as if nothing had happened, absentmindedly rubbing the bandage on her finger. Nanette, however, looked uneasy, whispering, "The person we paid off ran off with the money. No one managed to tip Brian off that Elara was upstairs with another man. What do we do now?"

Lina's lips curled with detached amusement. "You really are hopeless. Just wait—when Elara recovers, she'll have your head."

Nanette shivered, forced herself calm, and walked over to Brian.

"I just saw Elara getting cozy with some guy upstairs…"

She let her words hang for effect, then sighed.

"When a woman's heart wanders, her body follows. Brian, let's not wait for her. Let's go."

Brian's gaze darkened further. "We're going to the ninth floor."

Brian's face remained stone cold as he stepped back into the elevator.

The next morning, Elara woke to an empty room.

Her limbs felt a little weak, but otherwise, she was fine. On the nightstand, a complete set of fresh clothes had been neatly laid out—everything she needed, inside and out.

She glanced at the discarded cocktail dress and let a cold, mocking smile flicker across her lips. She changed quickly, pulling herself together with crisp efficiency.

There might be no proof, but she had no intention of letting this slide.

Clutching her painting, she stepped out of the hotel—just as a sleek Maybach screeched to a halt in front of her.

The door swung open. Brian, face like stone, yanked her inside.

"What were you doing upstairs all night?"

His voice was as cold and sharp as a blade of ice.

Elara tumbled into the back seat. The explanation she'd been ready to offer died on her lips the moment she saw the icy fury in his eyes.

Instead, she gave him a mocking, sideways smile and said lightly, "Slept with a man. So what?"