To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 170

Ryan fell silent.

...

Outside the restaurant, inside a sleek Jaguar.

The secretary glanced at her phone, then turned to the man in the back seat. "Mr. Lawrence, just as you guessed—Miss Jules went to meet Mr. Ryan."

Jason kept his gaze fixed on the restaurant's window, eyeing the names of the day's specials, saying nothing.

"Mr. Lawrence, this Miss Jules—she works with you, but keeps meeting with Mr. Ryan behind your back. She's too clever for her own good. Honestly, can you believe a word she says?"

She'd watched their exchange in the car earlier and couldn't shake the feeling her boss was getting the short end of the stick.

Jason finally tore his eyes away from the restaurant.

"She's a little devious, sure. But it's the kind of devious that's oddly endearing. Maybe even a little naïve."

Of all the people he'd met, she was the least likely to hide her little tricks from him.

She didn't even bother to hide her dislike—it was written plain as day in her eyes.

From another perspective, that made her pretty sincere.

The thought brought a subtle smile to Jason's lips, one he hardly noticed himself.

"Have they started eating?" Jason asked.

The secretary fired off a quick text to check.

"They just finished bringing out the food," she reported.

Jason pulled out his phone, found Ryan's number, and dialed.

Private dining room.

Elara used the serving fork to place a piece of sweet-and-sour fish in Ryan's empty bowl.

"I have a friend who loves fish—he's even better at cooking it. To be honest, this one doesn't even come close to his."

Ryan looked at the delicate fillet for a few seconds, just about to eat when his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the caller ID and gestured for Elara to stay quiet.

"What's up?" he said, answering.

"Where are you?" Jason asked, feigning innocence.

"I'm out having dinner with a friend," Ryan replied.

"A girlfriend?" Jason teased.

"If you don't need anything, I'm hanging up," Ryan deadpanned.

Ryan looked at him but stayed silent.

Jason explained, "Blackstar's heavy-duty truck division just launched, but we're lacking the right licenses. If you can help her with the divorce, she might agree to partner with us on the new battery tech."

Ryan snorted. "You're the one heading up the truck project. If it works out, Dad will give you all the credit. What's it got to do with me?"

"Ryan," Jason said with unusual sincerity, "Dad's not blind. He'll know where the credit belongs."

Ryan didn't answer.

"Think about it," Jason went on. "Let's get dinner first."

Ryan frowned. "Aren't we supposed to meet Uncle Mark?"

Jason chuckled. "I called his assistant. He's busy tonight, but tomorrow he'll be at an auction gala—same hotel, actually. We'll catch him then."

Ryan shot him a look of exasperation. "Then why the rush to drag me out?"

Jason grinned. "I'm starving, and you're the one who already started eating. With her, no less."

Ryan: "..."

Elara had barely finished her meal when Rose called.

"What auction gala? Start from the beginning—what's going on?"