To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 283

Jason hurriedly pulled on his shirt, while his secretary stood by, calmly smoothing out his collar.

Only when he looked his usual, composed self did the two of them leave the break room, one after the other.

“Would you like something to drink, Miss Jules?” the secretary asked with an easy smile.

Elara had felt awkward at first, but the woman’s unruffled tone helped her regain her composure. She pressed her lips together and replied, “Thank you, I’m fine.”

The secretary let out a soft laugh. “You really are at leisure, Miss Jules. You’ve been watching us for ages without saying a word. Are you telling me that watching Mr. Lawrence change his bandages is more interesting than anything else you had planned?”

“Lynette, that’s enough. Out,” Jason said as he moved to his desk, turning back to address his secretary.

Lynette nodded, picked up her coat, and slipped out.

“Don’t get the wrong idea,” Jason said, turning to Elara. “She’s been with me for years. Sometimes, you have to maintain certain relationships to ensure loyalty, but I never cross the line.”

Elara’s expression was cool, almost distant. “You’re overthinking it, Mr. Lawrence. This is nothing—just the kind of thing that happens between friends. There’s really nothing to misunderstand.”

Jason’s brow tightened, almost imperceptibly. “Did you need something?”

Elara held up her phone, showing him a message. “Actually, you’re the one who asked me here. You didn’t say why, but here I am. Satisfied?”

“I didn’t—”

“There’s no need to explain,” Elara cut him off.

When Jason had asked about the message, Elara already knew it must’ve been the secretary who’d quietly sent it from his phone. But between her and Jason, “no need to explain” was the only boundary that made sense.

“I have somewhere to be,” she said quietly. “I’ll be going.”

She turned away, moving slowly—her injured foot still not fully healed.

Jason’s back was hurt too, so he couldn’t keep up. But as Elara reached the door, he caught up to her.

He instinctively reached out, meaning to stop her, but before his fingers could touch her, she’d already turned the handle.

In that instant, as she opened the door, a wave of darkness swept over Elara. Her body went weak, and she pitched forward.

Just then, Ryan happened to be passing by. Without hesitation, he stepped over and caught her before she could fall, steadying her and pulling her gently to his side.

Elara leaned against his arm for a moment, waiting for her vision to clear.

Ryan let go as soon as she was steady, but asked, “What happened?”

“You’ll transfer to logistics. Ben will be taking over your duties,” Jason said.

“Mr. Lawrence…” Lynette’s voice broke, and tears welled up.

Jason remained unmoved. “Come back when you’ve regained your composure.”

Lynette knew full well he was just stringing her along. After all these years, she knew too much. If he cut her off completely, she’d only become resentful and unpredictable. He needed time—to tie up loose ends, erase her fingerprints from his affairs.

But that was what made Jason so dangerous. Even though she saw through all his calculations, she couldn’t bring herself to strike back.

Bitterly, Lynette turned to go. She took a few steps, then looked back. “Do you love Miss Jules?”

Jason looked at her, silent.

She pressed on. “Will there ever be a day when you love a woman—selflessly, without expecting anything in return?”

Jason dropped his gaze to the files in front of him and didn’t answer.

Meanwhile, in the company cafeteria, Ryan had the kitchen whip up a couple of simple dishes. He sat across from Elara, watching quietly as she finished her meal.

Only then did he speak. “I told you to stay away from Jason. Why won’t you listen?”