To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 290

Gareth’s anger boiled over; he swept the stack of files off his desk in a single, furious motion.

“You managed to bail Ingrid out—she’s your sister! How could you—”

“Then why don’t you do it yourself?” Brian cut him off, voice cold.

Gareth hesitated for a second, then jabbed a finger at Brian’s chest, his words sharp. “You’re the Vincent family heir. Protecting her is your responsibility! If you go back on your word, I’ll… I’ll—”

Brian rose slowly from his chair, unhurried, his presence filling the room.

“You’ll what? You already brought Ellis back. You already put him on the board. What haven’t you done, Gareth?”

Gareth’s face flushed with frustration. “If you keep pushing me, the whole company will end up in your brother’s hands.”

Brian gave a short, dismissive laugh. “Don’t pretend your empty threats are some kind of mercy. The old board members who built this empire with Grandfather are shrewder than anyone. Unless Ellis proves he can actually make them money, you could talk yourself hoarse and they’d never hand him the presidency.”

Gareth’s face went pale.

“Brian, Lina’s got dirt on me. If she makes it public, the Vincent family’s reputation will be ruined. You’re the heir—it’s your job to protect the family name.”

But Brian was unmoved by the familiar tactic.

“Let Ellis take over. Staying in this position just brings trouble for me—and in the end, I’d have to sacrifice my own marriage for it. Not worth it.”

Gareth’s tone shifted immediately, desperate now. “Your grandfather’s greatest wish was for you to lead the Vincent family, Brian. You can’t let him down! And your grandmother—after he passed, she personally oversaw your upbringing.”

But Brian had gone numb to emotional appeals long ago.

“Lina’s forgotten who she owes. Letting her suffer a little is for her own good—she needs to learn. When the time’s right, I’ll get her out.”

With things as they were, and so much said already, Gareth realized there was nothing more he could do.

…

“Lina’s already been arrested. She’ll rat me out, for sure. Please, Elara, let me go before the police come looking for me.”

Elara regarded him coolly. “You finally managed to hitch yourself to Brian’s golden coattails. Are you really so eager to throw it all away and run?”

Her words left Hayden speechless.

She continued, “How did Lina convince you to work with her?”

“She wanted Brian to know I only worked for him because of her. And she promised that, no matter how things turned out, she’d make sure I got paid.”

Elara nodded. “Then go back and keep doing what you’re doing.”

Hayden stared at her in disbelief.

“I’ll give you some technical support,” Elara said flatly, “but you’re going to make sure SiliconCrest Group keeps pouring money into that project. And you will give Lina full credit—make her look indispensable.”