To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 361

Elara remembered the day Fiona had caused a scene at her office. Summer had humiliated her, and Mrs. Lawrence had indeed made a threat before she left. But she was already the esteemed Mrs. Lawrence. Would she really risk her comfortable life over such a petty grudge?

"Zane couldn't have known about this," Elara said without a moment's hesitation. The thought of connecting him to the attack hadn't even crossed her mind.

A flicker of bitterness crossed Brian's face, but he masked it with a smile. "But what if the attacker is someone he has to protect?"

His question left her speechless.

"Charles asked me to find the person who hurt Summer," Brian said, his smile deepening. "Now I have a lead. Want to work together?"

Elara pushed the evidence bag back toward him. "Charles is your best friend. If you've made him a promise, you should honor it. Don't betray his trust."

With that, she stood up and walked away.

Brian hadn't expected her to refuse. The confident smile on his face faded as he watched her leave, his eyes darkening with a hint of something unreadable.

…

As soon as she was out of sight, Elara called Zane. He answered after a few rings.

"Did you see all of that?" she asked softly.

"See what?"

"At the cafe. I saw your car drive by."

It dawned on him. She was calling to explain. He chuckled. "As long as you're not cheating on me emotionally or physically, you have the right to associate with whomever you please. If I fell for a staged photo op like that, I'd be as foolish as the people he usually manipulates."

"Get away from my flower!"

Fiona, dressed in an elegant dark green dress with her hair in a sophisticated bun, snapped at her, her sharp tone clashing with her refined appearance.

Startled, Elara quickly withdrew her hand. "What kind of flower is so precious that it can't even be touched?"

Fiona shot her a disdainful look. "You wouldn't know quality if it bit you. This plant is a rare Black Lily of the Valley, one of the few that can survive in this climate. This is the only one left. If you damage it, I could sell you and still not make up for the loss."

Elara raised an eyebrow. "If it's so valuable, why don't you keep it in a greenhouse or have someone guard it?"

Fiona rolled her eyes. "And how do you know I don't have a greenhouse for it? This is the perfect season for it to be outdoors, so I had it moved here. Everyone in this household knows this flower is my pride and joy. Anyone who dares to touch it will have to answer to me."