To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 348

Elara offered a polite smile. “You flatter me, Ms. Donnelly. Honestly, the way you’ve managed Cryo-Titan Energy Group is what’s truly impressive.”

“Well then, here’s to a fruitful partnership between our companies.”

Georgia Donnelly raised her glass, a warm smile lighting her face.

They each took a sip, then naturally drifted apart, mingling with other guests.

As Elara chatted with a small group, a subtle commotion rippled from the entrance of the ballroom.

She glanced over—and for a moment, her mind went blank.

Jason, who was supposedly still in the hospital, had just walked in, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. On his arm was none other than Pearl.

Summer caught Elara’s eye across the room, silently mouthing: What is he doing here?

Elara just shrugged, her own expression echoing the confusion.

Jason looked perfectly fine, not a trace of illness about him—except for a neat white bandage at his temple, a small reminder of his recent accident. If not for that, you’d never know he’d nearly fallen off a cliff.

Setting down her wine glass, Elara moved toward him.

Jason spotted her, murmured something to Pearl, then gently disentangled his arm and walked straight over.

“Elaine…”

He barely got the word out before Elara took a discreet half-step back, keeping a courteous but clearly distant space between them.

Jason thought she was jealous and hurried to explain. “This is Pearl. She’ll be staying with the Lawrence family for a few days. She insisted on coming tonight and, well, since the Groves and the Lawrences go way back, I couldn’t really say no. So… here we are.”

Elara ignored his explanation, her tone cool as she asked, “Why are you here?”

There was an unmistakable edge of unwelcome in her voice.

Jason’s face paled a little. “This is a big night for my fiancée. How could I not show up?”

Jason found himself staring up at the crystal chandelier, mind swirling. How did things use to be between them? Strangers in public, close behind closed doors?

The thought sent a faint shiver down his spine.

Meanwhile, Summer announced she needed to freshen up and beckoned Elara to join her.

Pearl hurried after them.

She’d done her homework: these two had been seen several times at Mercy General Hospital, though it was unclear if either of them had left behind the blood samples she was investigating.

But that didn’t faze her.

Tonight, she’d insisted Jason bring her to this party for one reason—to snag a hair sample from each woman.

Once she had that, all she needed was a quick test, and the truth would finally come out.