To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 67

Elara bit her tongue and ignored Daly's foul language, scribbling her name on the contract.

But before Daly could even reach for it, Brian snatched the agreement away.

Realizing things weren't going as planned, Daly hurried forward and slapped his hand down on the contract, trying to negotiate, "Mr. Vincent, now that it's signed, we're even. About your new project—"

He didn't get to finish. Brian picked up the heavy porcelain teapot beside him and smashed it down on Daly's hand.

Daly yelped in pain, shooting Brian a trembling, venomous glare.

Elara stared in shock—wasn't he the one who brought her here just to sign the papers?

Brian yanked the contract out from under Daly's hand, tore it to shreds, and only then glanced at him with casual indifference.

"Did I ever tell you to prepare your own funeral papers?"

Daly swallowed his anger, forcing composure. "Mr. Vincent, my brother didn't raise his son right. He says whatever nonsense he wants. I apologize."

Brian let out a cold laugh. "Raising your kid is your family's problem. But the fact he tried to mess with me today? That's a separate issue. I could break his hand and wouldn't care who's backing him up."

With that, Brian ignored Daly's anxious, guilty expression and stood up, his gaze locking onto Derek.

The weight of authority in his eyes made it hard to breathe.

"Can't keep him under control, can you?"

Derek's jaw quivered. He couldn't utter a word.

Brian patted his uncle's shoulder. "Better get his funeral papers ready, too."

With an arm around Elara, Brian led her out of the private room.

Back in the car, Elara pulled his hand away, even brushing off the spot where he'd touched her.

Brian chuckled. "What, mad just because I didn't let you sign?"

"Then why bring me along at all?"

He took her hand—avoiding the bruises on her knuckles.

"Elara, when did we start having this wall between us?"

She thought for a moment, then pried his fingers off without answering.

Yves Caldwell slipped into the driver's seat, careful not to make a sound.

"You were willing to sign. Doesn't that mean you still care about me? Can't we put the past behind us and start over?"

Brian's lips pressed into a hard line.

Elara's expression was edged with mockery. "So… how do we start over?"

She yanked her hand free, got out, and flagged down a cab.

Yves Caldwell watched her go, anxious for his boss.

He turned, voice hushed. "Mr. Vincent, ma'am really doesn't want to stay. Maybe we should just tell her everything."

"Would that change a thing?"

Yves was left speechless and fell silent.

"To the business park," Brian ordered, frustration simmering beneath his calm.

…

Later that afternoon, as Elara stepped out of the lab, her phone buzzed.

[The studio's been reopened. The owner wants it spotless in three hours—get a cleaning crew in there.]