To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 299

Elara’s gaze lingered for a split second on the half-filled glass of whiskey.

“If you, Mr. Justice, won’t keep your word, believe me—I’ll drag you down to hell myself.”

With that, she seized the enormous glass and, with a recklessness that bordered on desperation, took a deep swig.

The liquor burned like fire down her throat, scorching her stomach and churning within. Her knuckles whitened around the glass, but she didn’t pause.

Booze spilled from the corner of her lips, trailing down her neck and soaking the collar of her shirt. The messy dampness was all too fitting—just as small and powerless as she felt now.

Bang!

Elara slammed the empty goblet onto the table. Her body swayed, but she forced herself upright, meeting Hancock’s eyes head-on.

“Call them. Now.”

Hancock’s expression flickered with conflict, his face darkening, then paling, then darkening again. Finally, he kept his promise—lifting his phone, he called the Oversight Bureau right in front of Elara and admitted that last night, he’d been drunk and said things he shouldn’t have.

Elara stuffed the evidence bag back into her purse.

Hancock hastily protested, “Leave that with me.”

She scoffed. “That was never part of our deal.”

Without another word, she turned on her heel and strode out—moving fast, almost running.

She’d downed the alcohol so quickly that even her assistant was too afraid to try to stop her.

Elara took the elevator down to the parking garage and made straight for Summer’s car.

Summer saw her staggering and instantly felt a pang of alarm. She flung open her car door and rushed over.

Elara practically collapsed into Summer’s arms, the stench of whiskey mingling with cold sweat, her breathing hot and ragged.

Summer gripped her slumped shoulders, tears springing to her eyes.

“If Ignition Dynamics is gone, then let it go. Why are you doing this to yourself?”

Elara’s head was swimming. Her stomach twisted in pain, and she was moments from collapse.

“I already threw up once. Just get me to a hospital, or I won’t make it.”

Eyes red, Summer hurried her into the car.

Once in the driver’s seat, Summer made a quick call, then floored the gas, racing toward the hospital.

Summer hesitated, but her voice was fierce. “There’s someone else who can take responsibility. Just—don’t call Brian.”

Less than half an hour later, Ryan arrived at the hospital and signed a stack of forms for Elara.

By then, she’d already been admitted to intensive care.

Charles turned to him. “The bleeding wasn’t as bad as we feared, but her biggest risk now is acute alcohol poisoning and potential complications. She needs to be watched closely.”

Ryan slammed a fist against the wall, his voice hoarse with frustration. “Is there no one who can hold them accountable?”

Summer’s tears had dried, but her eyes were still rimmed with red.

“Would you dare go up against the Vincent family? Would your father let you make them your enemy?”

Ryan was silent, caught off guard by her words.

“In this world, justice doesn’t matter—leverage does. You spent four years with the Lawrence family. What did you gain? Elara’s the one cleaning up your mess, but when she needs someone in her corner, none of you are there for her. If you really care about her, then stop relying on her and make something of yourself in the Lawrence family. Become her strength.”

Summer’s words hit Ryan hard, leaving a suffocating silence between them.

Charles glanced at his sister—she seemed so much older now—then turned away, disappearing around the corner of the hallway.