To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 223

Elara’s patience wasn’t what it used to be. She flexed her hand at her side, trying to keep her composure.

“Is there anyone in this world filthier than Miss Goldsmith?”

“How dare you!” Ingrid lunged forward, hand raised to slap her.

Brian’s voice cut through the tension. “Enough!”

Ingrid froze, turning to him with wounded eyes. “She insulted me.”

Brian’s tone softened, though his brow was still furrowed. “Would you both step outside for a moment? I need a word with her.”

Ingrid bristled, unwilling to budge, but Lina spoke up quietly. “They’re husband and wife. We’re outsiders. Let’s give them some space.”

She turned to Brian. “Do you want me to help you with your shirt?”

Brian nodded.

Lina’s fingers traced the buttons of his shirt, lingering just above the line of his chest—close enough to be intimate, yet stopping short, as if she were simply being proper.

Elara looked away, unaffected.

Lina tugged Ingrid along, and soon the study was empty except for Brian and Elara.

“Are you enjoying seeing me like this, Mrs. Vincent?” Brian asked, a half-smile playing at his lips.

“Your state has nothing to do with me. When are we finalizing the divorce?”

Brian stood, moving toward her with slow, labored steps.

Elara tried to step away, but he caught her around the waist. His injured hand, still wrapped in bandages, gripped her chin.

“So, you can flirt with Jason, but I’m not allowed to have someone take care of me?”

Jason? Now that was a stretch. Brian’s imagination was working overtime, but Elara had no intention of correcting him.

Suppressing the discomfort he stirred in her, she arched an eyebrow. “Since you’ve found someone better, let’s get this over with.”

Brian snorted. “This isn’t your decision to make.”

Elara’s stare was sharp as glass. “You already have someone lined up—why not let go? Or is Miss Goldsmith so useful as your sister’s shield that you can’t bear to sacrifice her?”

Brian’s grip tightened until his knuckles went white.

Elara clenched her teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

Ingrid shot Lina a furious glare.

…

It was a full day before Elara returned to work at Ignition Dynamics.

Summer greeted her with anxious concern. “You were unreachable all day yesterday. Where did you go?”

Elara offered a faint smile. “Bad mood. Turned off my phone and slept at home.”

Summer sighed heavily. “Feels like survival of the fittest these days. Ordinary people hardly stand a chance.”

Elara caught the subtext. “Are we having cash flow problems again?”

“Not exactly,” Summer replied, handing her a freshly sliced apple. “Now that the deal for our new truck battery division is settled, Ignition Dynamics can cover its regular expenses. But if we want to push research further, we’ll need more funding. To really grow, we might have to seek investors.”

Elara considered this, then nodded. “You’re far more experienced with management than I am. If you think it’s best for the company, go for it.”

Summer leaned in. “So… about the truck battery contract—have you decided which company to sign with?”

Elara was surprised that Summer was entrusting her with such an important decision.