To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 274

Jason’s gaze drifted to the hospital building across the street. “What about over there?”

Suddenly, the bodyguard caught on.

Elara reached out and tugged at the hem of Jason’s jeans. “Do me a favor, and I’ll owe you one.”

Jason’s brow arched in surprise.

“Take me to Brian’s press conference,” she said evenly.

The bodyguard interjected, “Sir, your back injury—”

Jason hesitated, phone in hand, thumb hovering over Ryan’s number. He was just about to call, but then paused, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Ingrid raced down from the rooftop, frantic and desperate to hail a cab.

A sleek black SUV pulled up in front of her. The door swung open, and Lina leaned halfway out, motioning to her. “Get in.”

Ingrid didn’t even hesitate—she jumped into the car.

But as soon as they’d left the hospital behind, Ingrid lunged, her hand closing tightly around Lina’s throat.

“Did you tell that woman what I did in Aalborg?”

Lina pried at Ingrid’s fingers, her face a mask of confusion. “Tell who? What are you talking about?”

Ingrid refused to believe her innocence.

“You give me advice on handling Elara, then turn around and sell me out to her? Trying to play both sides, huh?”

She tightened her grip on Lina’s neck.

“Listen to me—I’m not Elara. I’m not some pushover who’ll let you get away with this. Push me, and I’ll spill every filthy thing you did in Aalborg straight to Brian. Forget about becoming his mistress—you won’t even be welcome as his stepsister.”

Lina’s eyes flashed with anger. She gave a cold, sharp laugh. “You done yet? Why don’t you check your backseat?”

Ingrid turned her head just in time for two men in the back to lunge forward, pinning her hard against the seat—

***

Two hours later, at the SiliconCrest Group press hall.

There were barely fifteen minutes left before the press conference, but Ingrid was still nowhere to be found.

Gregory’s eyes widened. He patted his wife’s shoulder. “Honey, there’s news about Ingrid. Wait here—I’ll go get her.”

Without waiting for a reply, he rushed out the door.

***

In a private room at a nearby café, the atmosphere was quiet, the entire place reserved.

Gregory looked around, but his daughter was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Elara sat alone in the center of the lounge, looking perfectly at ease.

Fury rising, Gregory stormed over and shouted, “Did you kidnap my daughter? Just to keep her away from Brian, you stoop this low? I’m calling the police!”

He whipped out his phone.

Suddenly, a recording echoed through the café—the unmistakable sound of Ingrid’s voice, threatening Elara on the rooftop.

“...I could throw you off this building in less than a minute...”

Gregory froze. The blood drained from his face.

Elara paused the recording, her gaze steady and calm. “Professor Goldsmith, this is evidence of your daughter’s attempted murder. In exchange, I want the academic accolades you stole all those years ago. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, do you?”