To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 212

Gregory turned his head, catching Elara’s gaze. Instantly, his smile froze.

Elara’s expression was even colder.

Jason arched an eyebrow. The way these two look at each other, you’d think they were sworn enemies.

Gregory shifted his attention to the woods near the stables.

“Let’s not talk business today.”

Elara understood. The approval documents wouldn’t be coming through. She turned to leave.

“Leaving so soon, Elara? Why not stay a little longer?”

Lina’s sudden voice cut through the air, making the atmosphere tense.

The woman beside Brian straightened up, her scrutinizing gaze raking over Elara like a blade.

Elara knew exactly what Lina was up to—stirring the pot and letting others do her dirty work.

Gregory glanced at Brian, a half-smile on his face. “Since Mrs. Vincent is here, why not sit down and catch up?”

Before Brian could respond, Ingrid stood up abruptly. “Dad, your business talk is so dull. How about Mrs. Vincent and I have a little competition instead? Let us ladies have some fun for a change.”

A knowing look flashed in Gregory’s eyes. He understood his daughter’s intentions all too well.

“What sort of competition?” His interest was piqued.

Ingrid lifted her chin. “A three-kilometer horseback race. Whoever finishes faster wins.”

She shot Elara a challenging look. “Do you dare, Mrs. Vincent?”

Brian quietly sipped his tea, saying nothing.

Elara was about to refuse, but Gregory spoke first. “The approval documents for Ignition Dynamics are on my desk, just missing one last signature.”

The message was clear—if she wanted the documents, she had to play along.

Jason leaned over, whispering, “Can you ride?”

Elara nodded.

She’d have to, whether she really could or not. Otherwise, the deal was dead.

Jason arranged for a gentle horse to be brought over.

“Don’t worry about winning. Just be safe,” he said quietly.

Elara pressed her lips into a thin line and mounted the horse.

Ingrid, however, had no intention of playing fair. The handle of her riding crop hid a row of barbed spikes—she was itching to see Elara thrown off and left half-dead in the dirt.

Lina twisted her fingers in anticipation, her eyes alight with cruel hope.

Zane gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile. “Sounds good.”

Ingrid was seething—her plan to see Elara fall had been ruined.

At dinner, Zane naturally took the seat at the head of the table, with Gregory by his side.

Ingrid, ever scheming, managed to slide in next to Brian.

Elara, not one to put herself out for others, simply sat down across from them beside Jason.

Throughout the meal, Ingrid kept raising her glass to Brian, flirting shamelessly.

Compared to Lina, the original queen of shamelessness, Ingrid’s efforts were almost laughable to Elara. She barely spared Ingrid a glance and focused on her food.

After several rounds of drinks, Gregory, flushed with wine, turned to Zane. “Mr. Lawrence, about that project I mentioned earlier—have you given it any thought? There’s a lot of money to be made.”

Zane was about to answer when Elara stood up. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

She had no interest in their business deals. Her mind was on the approval documents, and now that she’d eaten her fill, she’d rather get some air.

A few minutes later, she splashed cold water on her face in the bathroom. Looking up, she met Zane’s eyes in the mirror.

Neither spoke first. Suddenly, Ingrid’s drunken, syrupy voice drifted in from the hall:

“Mr. Vincent, your wife could never compare to me, could she?”