To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 216

In that moment, Elara understood exactly why Mrs. Lawrence had come looking for her.

She was about to speak, but Mrs. Lawrence cut her off, her tone sharp and unyielding. “I’ve done my research on you. Your grandfather’s last name is Linden. You’re an illegitimate nobody, a castoff used up by the Vincent family, and you actually have the nerve to set your sights on my son? Do you think the Lawrence family is here to collect the city’s trash?”

Back then, to avoid a certain madman, the Linden family had told everyone Elara was Rose’s daughter. Everyone believed it—except the Vincent family.

Elara didn’t bother to explain. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the edge of the table and stared straight at Mrs. Lawrence, her gaze icy.

“Mrs. Lawrence, I suggest you watch your mouth.”

Mrs. Lawrence lifted her chin, her eyes narrowed in disdain. “Brian’s about to dump you, so you’re cozying up to my son as your next meal ticket. Secondhand goods like you don’t deserve a kind word from me—what are you hoping to hear?”

Elara clenched her jaw, holding herself back. “Let me make this clear: there’s nothing between your son and me.”

Mrs. Lawrence laughed, her disbelief obvious. She shoved the check across the table again.

“Take it. People like you, who claw their way up from the bottom, are meant to be stepped on. Don’t even dream of my son. Get out of my sight; I don’t want to see you.”

Elara picked up the check and glanced at the number. Suddenly, she let out a soft, incredulous laugh. With slow, elegant precision, she tore the check into tiny pieces and let them rain down like confetti over Mrs. Lawrence’s perfectly styled hair.

Mrs. Lawrence’s face turned crimson with rage. She slammed her hands on the table and called out for her attendants in the hallway.

“Get in here! Drag this wretch outside and teach her a lesson. I want everyone to see what happens to people who disgrace the Lawrence family!”

But before anyone could respond, the door opened and Jason strode in.

“Miss Jules, what’s going on here?”

He’d come as soon as he got her call.

Elara gave him a frosty little smile. “Your mother seems to think her son is worth ten million dollars.”

Jason understood immediately. He noticed the coffee stains on her clothes and looked at her apologetically. “I’m sorry. Please, just go. I’ll make things right another day.”

“No need for apologies, Mr. Lawrence,” Elara replied, her voice cool. “But from now on, I’d appreciate it if you keep your distance. I’m forgiving your mother this time—only because she’s your mother.”

With that, Elara turned and walked out.

Elara’s fingers tightened around the phone. “Do you know who it is?”

“No idea.”

“And move her now? Gareth’s looking for her, and so is Brian. Where are we supposed to hide her?”

There was a heavy silence on the other end.

“How is Mrs. Archer’s health?” she asked quietly.

“The doctor says it’s not ideal, but she’s just barely fit for surgery,” Ryan replied.

Elara thought for a moment. “Take her to the north gate of Pine River Amusement Park. Then get out of there, fast.”

Ryan knew immediately that she planned to take Mrs. Archer to Breezewood City.

But he hesitated. “Elara, think this through. You and Brian aren’t divorced yet. If you hand Mrs. Archer over to him, you might have some leverage. But if you insist on sending her away for the procedure, Brian will lose his bargaining chip over Gareth. And when Gareth loses his last blood tie, those two wolves will turn on you. Do you really think you can survive their fury?”