The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 293

The charity jewelry exhibition had transitioned into its networking phase.

Guests stood in small clusters, nursing glasses of champagne and murmuring.

"Did you hear? The scandal tonight is already front-page news."

"How could Garnett Harper stoop so low? Stealing his own grandmother's heirloom to give to his mistress."

"It's completely classless. The Harper family must be humiliated. His wife is out here saving lives in the middle of the night and doing charity work, while he puts on a big show of being a devoted husband when they've actually been separated. Now that his affair is out in the open, the backlash is going to destroy him."

"Look over there, Nestor and his wife already left early."

"Nestor's second wife—the former mistress—is already showing. And now the young Mr. Harper is cheating on his wife, and with such a tacky woman, too. The Harper Group is going to be a total mess."

"It already is," someone interjected.

The others leaned in closer. "What do you mean?"

"I just heard the Harper Group's stock is plummeting, and someone is quietly buying up shares off-market. They've already acquired over fifteen percent."

"Fifteen percent isn't that much, is it?"

"You don't get it. The father and son are practically at each other's throats. Whoever gets that fifteen percent backing them will win the company."

"Ah, I see..."

The hushed gossip blended together, forming a low, persistent hum over the entire room.

Julian stood with Charley and Lavinia.

He looked at her. "Lavinia, I heard you and Garnett have already applied for the divorce?"

She was a little surprised. "You knew about that?"

Julian offered a bitter smile. "Word gets around. I tried to warn him the other day. But I guess you two just weren't meant to be." He sighed. "After tonight, the Harper name is going to be synonymous with scandal. My great-aunt Judith did so much for them, but some people are just a lost cause."

Charley stood quietly by her side, not saying a word.

Charley picked up his glass, tapping it gently against the rim of hers.

***

After seeing off the final wave of guests, Lavinia returned to the exhibition hall.

Half the lights had been dimmed. Inside the transparent crystal cases, the magnificent jewelry seemed to float in the dark like suspended stars.

Charley stood in the center of the room, quietly admiring the reunited Harriet Hoyt Bangles.

Lavinia walked over and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

"They're so beautiful," she whispered.

"They are. But no matter how beautiful, they're still just stones." His voice was soft. "The true beauty of jewelry lies in the warmth of the memories it carries."

He paused. "One of these bangles stayed with Judith through a lifetime of storms, and the other quietly witnessed my grandmother's peaceful, quiet life. Seeing them back together like this... it's the perfect ending."