To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 296

The four men burst out laughing.

Ellis called a waiter over and directed him to arrange the cocktails and juices on the table in a particular order. While he was at it, he asked him to wipe down the table as well.

No sooner had the waiter left than Elara and Summer returned.

Ellis picked up a bottle of cocktail from the table and raised it toward them. “You two have worked hard. This drink’s on me.”

Elara and Summer glanced at the array of drinks, each casually grabbing the one closest to hand. They clinked glasses with the others.

Gareth returned from the restroom just in time to see both women sip from the glasses placed in those specific spots. His heart leapt with satisfaction.

As he slid back into his seat, he accidentally knocked over his drink, spilling it all over Ellis’s jacket.

It was a custom-made designer piece that had cost a small fortune. Ellis’s face darkened, but he managed to hold back his irritation.

Gareth quickly offered, “There’s a dry cleaners just next door. Take your jacket off and I’ll get them to take care of it.”

Without much hesitation, Ellis handed over the jacket.

The group continued drinking. As the night wore on, Ellis’s eyes grew glassy and his cheeks flushed with heat. He seemed to lose control of both his words and actions, even leaning in close to Mr. Justice.

Mr. Justice and his assistant, however, remained perfectly sober.

Especially Mr. Justice. When Ellis’s cold hand brushed his cheek, Mr. Justice was momentarily startled, but then his gaze turned amused and intrigued.

“Not many men have skin as nice as yours. Mr. Vincent, is that healthy complexion of yours thanks to all the drinking?”

“Purely natural!” Ellis replied, already so far gone he hardly remembered his own name. He tugged at his tie and gave a flamboyant, almost seductive smile.

Noticing the moment was right, Elara and Summer got to their feet.

Summer put on her best professional smile. “Since Mr. Justice has clearly enjoyed himself, we’ll call it a night. We look forward to welcoming you to Ignition Dynamics for a proper tour.”

Mr. Justice looked at Ellis with satisfaction, saying nothing. His assistant, though, was quick to usher the women out.

Once the door closed behind them, Summer gagged.

“God, who knew Mr. Justice was such a creep? And to think—” She cut herself off and burst out laughing.

“But why would Mr. Justice listen to the Vincents?” Elara asked, bewildered.

Summer’s expression grew grave. “Ever since that highway incident was hushed up, Ellis has been unusually quiet. Now, with even Mr. Justice on their side, I suspect Ellis has found himself some powerful backers. Honestly, I doubt even Brian knows the full extent of this.”

“Elara, this is out of our league. The only hope is for you to contact… him.”

“Him?” Elara hesitated. “I doubt he’ll answer my calls.”

She’d texted him yesterday and the day before—no reply.

“You won’t know unless you try. If they nail us for bribery, Ignition Dynamics goes under and we’ll be facing prison ourselves.”

Summer pressed the phone into her hand.

Elara dialed the number she knew by heart.

To her surprise, the call barely rang once before someone picked up. But it wasn’t his voice—on the other end was a calm, unfamiliar woman.

“Hello, who’s speaking?”