To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 351

Elara was pinned against the door, the crisp scent of cedar instantly surrounding her.

"Zane…"

She hated being restrained from behind like this and instinctively tried to break free, but the man's body was pressed firmly against hers, unmoving.

His warm breath brushed against her earlobe as his fingers toyed with a strand of her hair.

"What's this?" he murmured, his voice a low, seductive rumble. "I've been gone less than two days, and I find you tangled up with my nephew one moment and your ex-husband the next. Are you trying to make me angry on purpose?"

Elara instinctively turned her head to answer, nearly brushing his lips with her own. She froze, her breath catching in her throat, before pulling back just enough to manage a polite smile. "Thank you for tonight."

Zane chuckled. "An unlimited R&D budget and the backing to stand up to Brian Vincent, and all I get is a verbal thank you?"

Elara's lips curved into a smile. "Don't worry. I'll make sure your investment yields a huge return."

"How huge are we talking?"

Zane's arm tightened around her waist. The heat from his body radiated through her clothes, and she instantly assumed he was referring to something far more intimate. Speechless, she lowered her gaze, unable to meet his.

Seeing her shy, timid reaction, Zane let out a low laugh and released her. Then, like a magician, he produced a file and held it out to her.

"Take a look at this first. You can start your ‘thank you' here."

So he wasn't trying to…

Elara was mortified by her own misunderstanding, her cheeks burning with shame. She took a moment to compose herself before accepting the file.

It was a private medical report, and the name printed on the cover was Zane's.

Her heart, which had just settled, leaped back into her throat. Was something wrong with him?

A wave of emotion—part concern, part something else she couldn't name—gripped her as she anxiously flipped through the pages.

Most of Zane's levels were within the normal range, until her eyes fell on a value labeled "T" that was significantly above the upper limit.

With that, Summer hung up.

Elara lowered her phone and touched her hot cheeks. "I hate you. How am I supposed to go out there with my face this red?"

Zane smiled faintly. "It's a lovely shade of blush. Just walk out with your head held high."

She had no comeback for that. Ignoring him, she opened the door and walked out. She expected him to stay behind to avoid being seen with her, but he followed right on her heels.

A few executives, the last to leave, spotted Zane and immediately flocked to him, their faces lighting up as if they'd seen a god. Swept up by the fawning crowd, Zane was ushered into the elevator.

He glanced around and noticed Elara hadn't joined them. Just as someone was about to close the doors, he called out, "Hold it!"

His gaze found her standing by the entrance. "Aren't you coming?"

Those three simple words, delivered without his usual icy tone, silenced the executives in the elevator.