To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 263

“Thank you for going to the trouble, Miss Goldsmith.”

Elara accepted the glass, pausing deliberately before continuing, “If you and VP Vincent are trying for a baby, it’s probably best to lay off the alcohol from now on.”

Ingrid blinked, caught off guard for a moment, then quickly nodded in agreement.

While they chatted, the two glasses of juice were quietly switched.

“I haven’t touched this one. If you don’t mind...” Elara slid the untouched glass toward Ingrid, then raised her own.

“To you and VP Vincent—may you have a little one soon.”

Ingrid was so delighted she forgot she’d handed Elara a glass of champagne earlier. Eager to see her plan succeed, she immediately picked up the “safe” glass of juice and clinked it against Elara’s.

Both women tipped back their drinks, draining their glasses. At just the right moment, Summer “accidentally” spilled her own champagne all over Ingrid’s dress.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Ingrid shrieked, her temper flaring at once.

Elara quickly stepped in, “She didn’t mean to. Let me take Miss Goldsmith upstairs to change.”

Intent on her own scheme, Ingrid saw Elara willingly walk into the trap and had no reason to refuse.

Once inside the guest room, though, Ingrid began to feel flushed and restless. When Elara suggested she take a shower, Ingrid—her head swimming—actually agreed.

Elara slipped out of the room, finding Summer already waiting in the hallway.

Summer tilted her head slightly.

A waiter nearby supported an elderly man as they entered the room.

That old man was Lucia’s husband.

The waiter, nerves on edge, hurriedly said to Summer after dropping the old man off, “Ma’am, am I done? I’m going to the police now. It was Miss Goldsmith who told me to do all this, but it backfired on her. I have a family to support—please keep your promise.”

Summer waved him off, and he disappeared down the stairs.

“Don’t waste your sympathy on him. He’s the one who drugged your juice earlier,” Summer remarked, a sly smile on her lips.

“Secretary Shelton, you really are something,” she added.

A faint smile flickered across Elara’s face. “Come on. This isn’t over yet.”

“Wallace, you bastard!” Lucia erupted from the crowd, shoving her way into the room to attack the two people tangled up together.

Just then, two police officers arrived. “Which one of you is Ingrid?”

A helpful guest pointed inside.

The officers, faces grim, strode into the room. “Ingrid Goldsmith, you’re under investigation for purchasing illegal substances, attempted assault, and organizing lewd acts. Please come with us.”

“It’s over. The Goldsmith family is finished,” Mrs. Goldsmith screamed before fainting dead away.

Gregory’s carefully curated image was shattered beyond repair—he’d lost face not only among his peers, but in the entire community. Desperate, he turned to Brian for help.

But Brian’s expression was cold; he didn’t even step inside to help Ingrid. Instead, he turned and walked out.

Elara didn’t bother watching the spectacle either. She and Summer left quietly.

Summer went ahead to get the car, limping her way to the front steps.

As she started down, her cane slipped. A hand reached out to steady her at the waist, but Elara caught her balance just in time, so the hand hovered, never quite making contact.