To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 345

After dinner, Elara was ready to head back.

Zane caught her hand. “Aren’t you coming up for a bit?”

She smiled, teasing, “What, hoping I’ll catch a glimpse of your little cousin prancing around in her see-through nightgown again?”

Zane let out a helpless chuckle, then laced his fingers through hers and led her out of the hotel.

When they reached the car, he carefully buckled her seatbelt, pausing as a thought crossed his mind. He glanced over. “The apartment you’re staying in—do you own it?”

“No, Summer rented it for me.”

He raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the car door. “You’ve got some money tucked away. Why not just buy your own place?”

Elara blinked, considering, and after a brief pause, answered, “Maybe I will—when I actually want a place to call home.”

Zane pressed his lips together, saying nothing more. He turned and walked around to the driver’s seat.

“I have to go back to Capital City,” he said.

Elara glanced at him, wanting to ask why, but what came out was, “How long will you be gone?”

He grinned, “If you don’t miss me, it’ll be a while. But if you do, I’ll come back sooner.”

She laughed, refusing to rise to his bait.

The next morning, Elara headed straight to Ignition Dynamics.

Summer handed her a contract. “This is the collaboration agreement we just signed with Cryo-Titan Energy Group, all notarized and official. In a few days, both teams will be inspecting the new site and picking a location for the plant.”

Elara skimmed through the document. “You know deals like this better than I do. If you think it’s fine, I trust you.”

Summer put the papers away and reminded her, “Tomorrow night we’re hosting a formal dinner with Cryo-Titan to announce the partnership. Make sure you get permission from your boss, President Lawrence, and be there on time.”

Elara stood and grinned. “He’s heading back to Capital City today. Tomorrow night I’m entirely free.”

“Sorry to trouble you, Mrs. Lawrence. My brother-in-law insists it’s not safe for me to stay at a hotel on my own, so he made me choose—either go home or stay here. I can’t leave my research unfinished, so I’ll have to impose on you for a while.”

Pearl smiled politely as she gently withdrew her hand, giving Fiona all the respect she was due, while keeping a careful, courteous distance.

“It’s no trouble at all! We’re delighted to have you.”

Fiona looked at Zane and said meaningfully, “You go handle your work. I’ll take good care of your guest.”

Pearl’s cheeks turned pink at Fiona’s hints.

But Zane didn’t bite. “She’s got a mischievous streak. If she does anything out of line, you can just say so. Don’t feel you have to let her get away with it.”

“Brother-in-law…” Pearl’s voice stretched out, half reproach, half playful complaint. “I’m always on my best behavior.”

Fiona hurried to smooth things over. “Of course your brother-in-law knows that. He just worries about you, that’s all.”

Pearl liked that answer. She was about to tease him again when Zane cut in coolly, “Professor Grove called personally. When you’re away from home, safety comes first—so behave yourself.”