The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 298

Julian stared him down. "Garnett, you know the difference between right and wrong, don't you?"

Garnett's fingers curled inward. His voice was low and tight. "I consulted my legal team on the way here. The chances of her actually getting a conviction are extremely slim. I understand you're angry, and I know Sigrid understands that too. If I can offer you all a substantial, tangible apology, there's no need to burn bridges, is there?"

"Garnett, whose side are you even on?" Julian demanded. "Are you even the grandson Judith raised?"

Garnett's lips pressed into a thin line, his knuckles turning white.

He had never been this humiliated in his entire life. For Sigrid's sake, he had alienated his own family and friends, and he still couldn't fathom what he had done wrong.

He just wanted to make up for what his father had done to the Sloan family.

The four of them fell into a tense, suffocating silence.

As the oldest, Julian realized that a standoff wasn't going to get them anywhere.

He looked at Lavinia. "Lavinia, you're the executive director of the foundation and the host of tonight's event. You call the shots. What do you want to do?"

Lavinia had actually already made up her mind.

Getting a solid conviction against Sigrid was a long shot—the cops had no reason to lie to her. Even if they filed charges, Garnett would burn his own empire to the ground to protect her. He'd hire the best defense attorneys and probably pull strings at the courthouse.

Knowing that, she was better off extracting something truly valuable right now.

"Mr. Harper is incredibly generous when it comes to love. Does that mean you'll agree to whatever I ask?" Lavinia asked, a cold smile touching her lips.

"As long as you sign the settlement agreement and drop the charges. Anything within my power," Garnett replied.

Lavinia smiled.

"Then here is my demand. Julian, Charley, you're my witnesses."

"Understood," Charley and Julian said in unison.

Lavinia locked eyes with Garnett, enunciating every single syllable.

"I want you at the courthouse on the exact day our mandatory separation period ends to finalize the divorce. Not a day later. I want your signature and your fingerprint on the paperwork."

Garnett's eyes widened in sheer shock. Slowly, a profound, agonizing pain seeped into his gaze, growing darker by the second.

When he finally spoke, his voice was so raspy it was barely audible. "You're using this... as a bargaining chip?"

"If you want your true love out of that interrogation room, agree to my terms. I'll sign the settlement papers on behalf of the foundation right now," Lavinia said coolly.

Garnett's fists clenched so hard his jawline trembled. His eyes were completely bloodshot.

Charley's lips pressed into a tight, hard line, but his eyes remained utterly resolute.

Julian finally broke the silence. "Well, since the only person trying to save Sigrid just abandoned ship, let's stick to the original plan. Formal investigation, press charges. Let the legal system handle the rest."

He paused. "I have a feeling just going through the judicial process will be enough to skin her alive."

The three of them walked out of the station. Julian told them he had an early flight back to Marina Island for a critical board meeting the next morning.

Charley looked down at Lavinia. "You're exhausted."

Lavinia nodded.

"Let's go home. I'll make you something to eat, and then you're going straight to sleep," Charley said, his voice soft.

Back at the house, Lavinia collapsed onto the couch while Charley went into the kitchen to make soup.

When he walked out with a warm bowl, Lavinia was already fast asleep on the cushions.

He stood over her for a long time. Unable to bear waking her, he went upstairs, retrieved a light blanket, and draped it carefully over her.

Then, he sat down on the rug, rested his head against the edge of the sofa, and closed his eyes, keeping watch over her through the night.