To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 262

“How serious can it be if Charles Shaw claims it’s nothing, yet he’s walking with a cane?”

“Brian?” Ingrid noticed his distraction and tugged at his sleeve.

Brian snapped out of his thoughts and gave her a relaxed, “Alright.”

As soon as he left, Ingrid walked up to Elara with a burst of enthusiasm, looping her arm through Elara’s.

“You’re the one trying to set us up, so you won’t mind if Brian starts looking after me now, will you?”

Before Elara could answer, Summer cut in with a sarcastic laugh. “Even if a married couple’s lost their spark, I’ve never seen anyone flaunt their affair so brazenly in front of the wife. Honestly, I doubt you’ll find anyone with less shame than Miss Goldsmith.”

She paused, then corrected herself, voice dripping with scorn. “Correction: you’re not the mistress, you’re the next mistress in line.”

Ingrid’s face turned crimson with anger. Elara stepped smoothly between her and Summer, her tone steady. “Today’s your father’s birthday party. We just came to offer our congratulations and won’t overstay our welcome. Hope we’re not disturbing you.”

Ingrid’s mood flipped instantly. She glanced at the glass in Elara’s hand.

“Why are you having juice? Brian had his assistant pick out this champagne just for tonight. Here, I haven’t even touched mine—let’s swap.”

Without waiting for consent, Ingrid snatched the juice from Elara’s hand and forced her own glass of champagne into it.

Elara held the champagne, her expression unchanged. “Miss Goldsmith, I’m on antibiotics. I can’t drink.”

Ingrid’s eyes widened with sudden understanding and concern. “Oh, I see! This juice’s been sitting out for ages—it’s not fresh. I’ll get the kitchen to make you a new one right away.”

She hurried off to the kitchen, juice glass in hand.

“That woman is up to no good,” Summer muttered.

Elara raised the champagne to her nose, her face darkening. “Go check the kitchen.”

Summer coughed into her hand. “Ran into Secretary Shelton with some time to kill. I just roped him in to help.”

Elara’s voice was calm. “Zane’s not part of our world. If we can avoid involving him, we should.”

Summer understood at once. Anyone who’s been burned by marriage can’t bear another fresh wound.

“Don’t worry, Zane’s not involved. This is just between me and Secretary Shelton. I owe him a drink now, though.”

Elara said nothing more.

Just then, Ingrid hurried back, holding out a glass of freshly squeezed juice.

“Miss Jules, here you go. Just made—super fresh.”