The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 280

"I'll come pick you up."

"Don't. Absolutely do not come here."

Garnett let out a slow exhale, resigned. "Alright. Then I'll head over there myself to see you."

He paused, suddenly remembering that his grandmother had expressly forbidden him from setting foot on the property.

"Could you talk to Judith for me? Just tell her to let me inside to check on you?" He practically pleaded, dropping his usual arrogant facade completely.

Lavinia was silent for a very long time.

"Lavinia, no matter how bad things get between us, it shouldn't ruin our families' relationship," he pressed.

"She's furious because the Harpers proved they only care about their own interests. Don't twist the narrative." Lavinia sighed. "I'll try talking to her, but whether she actually lets it go is entirely up to her."

"Thank you. I'll see you soon."

After hanging up, Garnett checked his phone and saw three missed calls. All of them were from Sigrid.

He stared at the notification log. After several minutes of dead silence, he slowly, almost reluctantly, called her back.

***

The influencers had swarmed Lavinia's street for the entire day, turning the already cramped alleyway into a completely unnavigable zoo.

The local precinct eventually had to send officers out to maintain order. Between the police and the exasperated community managers, they finally managed to disperse the crowd.

Once the coast was clear, Lavinia stepped out of her front door, wearing a medical mask and dragging a small suitcase.

Charley followed right behind her, also masked up, carrying the rest of her bags.

A neighbor passing by smiled warmly at her. "Going on a trip, Dr. Joplin?"

"Yes, just heading out of town for a few days," Lavinia replied with a polite nod.

Charley drove his Toyota SUV, taking her straight to the Gilmore Estate. Lavinia spent the entire ride completely lost in thought.

Going to stay with Judith wasn't a bad thing, but it felt incredibly bittersweet to be separated from Charley right after they had finally confessed their feelings.

Lavinia tensed up, afraid he would get the wrong idea. "Even if he gets past the front door, Judith won't let him stay," she whispered nervously.

Charley's expression remained completely neutral.

After a few seconds, he flashed her a warm smile. "I'll get your bags."

He didn't seem worried or jealous at all.

Lavinia stepped out of the car, took her suitcase from him, and smiled. "Well... I guess I'm going in."

"Alright. Get some rest tonight," Charley said softly.

Lavinia dragged her suitcase up the cobblestone path toward the grand doors.

Just before she stepped inside, she turned back. Charley was still sitting in the driver's seat, watching her from afar.

She waved at him, and he waved back.

"Welcome back, Ms. Joplin. The Madam has been waiting for you all day," Preston greeted her warmly at the door.