To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 226

“Well, if it isn’t our class’s little prodigy!” One of the women in a red dress covered her mouth in mock surprise. “The professors used to sing your praises from on high, and now you’ve ended up a nurse?”

A man beside her chimed in with a smirk. “Didn’t we hear you snagged some rich guy after graduation? Guess that’s why you vanished from the alumni records. Looks like all that talent went to pleasing men in the bedroom.”

The group burst into raucous laughter.

Elara remembered every single one of their faces.

Back in college, the Linden family barely scraped by. Elara worked part-time jobs and studied hard, and her natural aptitude quickly caught the attention of several professors, who invited her to join their research projects.

That’s when these jealous types started making her life miserable. Whenever they bumped into her in the cafeteria, they’d “accidentally” knock over her tray.

They knew Elara couldn’t afford to buy another meal, so they relished watching her crouch down to salvage what little food hadn’t hit the floor.

She’d been five-foot-six and barely a hundred pounds back then, thanks in no small part to these people.

Elara’s eyes darkened for an instant, then she schooled her face into calm indifference.

If Ingrid could round up this bunch of garbage, she’d certainly put a lot of effort into staging tonight’s little drama.

The woman in the red dress strolled up to Elara, pinched the fabric of her blouse between two fingers, and clicked her tongue. “Honestly, you wore thrift store clothes to a place like this? You used to be so impressive. How did it end up like this—while we moved up in society, you got tossed out by your wealthy husband once he got bored?”

Laughter erupted again, braying and loud.

Suddenly, someone raised their voice. “Hey, check out the guy with Ingrid! He’s seriously handsome.”

The others picked up on the cue and, nudging and shoving, herded Elara across the room toward Ingrid and Brian.

“Ingrid, is this your boyfriend?” the red-dressed woman called out.

Ingrid shot a glance at Brian. Seeing he didn’t deny it, she neither nodded nor shook her head—her silence was answer enough.

A man jumped in eagerly. “What a perfect match—brains and looks, made for each other!”

“Mr. Vincent, this bottle is a robust vintage—perfect for a gentleman.”

He didn’t say it outright, but the implication was clear. The crowd’s suspicions were confirmed.

“So Ingrid’s the real lady of the manor after all,” the red-dressed woman gushed, then turned to sneer at Elara. “See? Only someone as accomplished and refined as Miss Goldsmith deserves Mr. Vincent. You? You’re nothing more than yesterday’s discarded rag.”

The laughter swelled, Ingrid clutching the wine bottle, cheeks flushed with pride, as her vanity soared to new heights.

At that moment, one of Gregory’s old friends called out in support, “Goldsmith really raised her daughter well! Back when Ingrid was studying in Aalborg, none of those rich boys could sway her—she focused on her research and published in top journals. That’s the kind of woman who deserves Mr. Vincent! The Goldsmith family’s values are truly admirable.”

Gregory nodded graciously, he and his daughter relishing the admiration and envy swirling around them.

The manager, sensing the moment was ripe, turned his attention to Elara.

With a subtle nod from his superior, he smiled and reached for the second bottle of wine…