To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 271

Gregory’s motives couldn’t have been more obvious.

He wanted nothing more than to see Elara disgraced, to turn her into the laughingstock of high society—a woman cast out, whose chances of marrying into the upper crust again would be ruined forever.

Before Brian could say a word, a sudden burst of applause echoed from the hallway. Ellis Vincent entered, wheeled in by an assistant.

“Looks like Professor Goldsmith really despises that woman,” Ellis remarked, a sly grin on his face. “Honestly, I think the proposal’s solid—just not sure if my dear brother has the guts to go through with it.”

Brian knew exactly what Ellis was doing—testing him. If he refused, Ellis would simply continue sabotaging Elara behind his back. But if he agreed… Elara’s reputation would never recover.

“What’s the matter?” Ellis prodded, his tone mocking when Brian stayed silent. “If you’re so reluctant, why not just bring your ‘dear wife’ home again?”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Brian offered a measured smile. “I was just considering that, after we announce the divorce, it’ll finally be time to start planning the wedding.”

Gregory perked up at once, unable to hide his excitement. “But, Mr. Vincent, what about my daughter—she—”

Brian cut him off with a wave of his hand. “There’s no way she’ll walk away completely unscathed, but we can aim for bail and, with some work, reduce her sentence to probation. At least she won’t have to spend time behind bars. With me taking care of her, she’ll be fine. Even with a record, she won’t have to suffer.”

Gregory was moved nearly to tears. “That’s wonderful! In that case, I’ll have Hayden start working for you right away.”

Ellis’ smile froze, lingering awkwardly on his lips before finally fading.

“So all this time, your grand devotion to your wife was just an act?” he sighed, shaking his head. “You fooled us all, I’ll give you that.”

Brian ignored him, turning instead to Gregory.

“It’s settled, then. Hayden Everly will start working for me immediately. I’ll personally review the contents of the divorce statement before we release it. And as for your daughter…”

He paused deliberately.

“I’ll use my connections to get her out. That way, she can get pregnant soon and give me an heir.”

The word ‘heir’ stabbed into Ellis like a needle.

His face darkened, but he forced a thin smile and muttered, “Congratulations, brother.”

Brian, barely concealing his disgust, withdrew his hand and dropped his earlier pretense of generosity. “If that’s all, I have work to do.”

She hadn’t planned on anything dramatic—just wanted to get details about the case—but arrived just in time to see Brian leading Ingrid out the front doors.

Ingrid looked thinner, frail and wan in Brian’s arms. But the moment her eyes met Elara’s, she transformed—casting off her meekness, she shoved away from Brian and stalked straight toward Elara, finger pointed accusingly.

“You’ve got some nerve showing your face here! Are you scared I’ll kill you once I marry Brian? You here to beg for mercy?”

“Elara, I swear to God, I will never, ever forgive you!”

Elara shot her a cold, indifferent look. “I’m not here for you. I just came to see if the law still exists in this place.”

The police chief, who’d walked out with Brian, looked distinctly uncomfortable.

Brian leaned over and whispered a few words to him; the man quickly retreated to his office.

Brian turned his icy gaze on Elara. “You can cozy up to Jason all you want—I have every right to get married. Go home. As long as I’m here, no one’s going to talk to you about the law.”

Elara bit back her anger, steadying her breathing. “Brian, it seems I still haven’t been ruthless enough with you.”