To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 349

Restroom.

Both women unclipped their hairpins, setting them in a small basket beside the sink as they smoothed out stray hairs.

This time, Summer’s hands moved with gentle care—she didn’t pull out a single hair.

“Before the official announcement of our partnership, I want you to demo our new product,” Elara said, her tone even.

Summer hesitated. “That’s not right. It’s your research—you should be the one to present it.”

Elara’s smile was subtle. “The company belongs to both of us. You’re the driving force behind it, and this is your moment. The more people see you at the forefront, the stronger our brand becomes.”

Summer caught her meaning and finally nodded in agreement.

Just then, Pearl walked in.

Her gaze flicked to the basket on the sink, perfectly placed between the two women. Without hesitation, she stepped right between them.

Summer shot Pearl a sharp look, but Pearl ignored her, turning instead to Elara.

“Ms. Jules, what a coincidence, running into you here,” she chirped, all sugary politeness.

Elara’s smile barely reached her eyes. “Quite the coincidence, indeed. Although, if you’re purposefully bumping into someone in the restroom, odds are you’re up to no good. It’s like trying to ease a stomachache—you just can’t relax until you’ve gotten it out.”

Pearl’s grin froze, her words dying in her throat. She turned to leave, but “accidentally” knocked the basket to the floor.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, crouching down to collect the scattered contents. In one swift motion, she plucked the stray hairs from the two hairpins.

She didn’t need to check which was which—Summer’s was studded with diamonds, Elara’s adorned with pearls. The hairs went into separate compartments in her purse: one inside, one outside. No way to mix them up.

Her movements were so quick and practiced that, to Summer and Elara, it just looked like she was picking up the basket.

“No harm done—the pins are fine. Sorry about that,” Pearl said, placing the basket back on the sink before making her exit.

Elara stayed silent, not sparing Pearl even a glance as she retrieved her own hairpin and clipped it back in place.

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