The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 346

Heath was stunned.

He had dealt with plenty of difficult clients in his career, but Garnett's baffling mix of arrogance and complete detachment was entirely unique.

"Mr. Harper, I need to remind you," Heath enunciated clearly, "this is a divorce proceeding. If you fail to appear, the judge will automatically rule in favor of the plaintiff. The divorce will be finalized instantly, and you will not have the right to appeal."

The line was silent for several seconds.

"Do you honestly think my being there would change the outcome?"

The line went dead.

Heath let out a long sigh.

He stood and informed the court that the defendant was absent due to extenuating circumstances, and that he would be representing him in full capacity.

Standard civil suits like this were highly procedural; they rarely involved the dramatic cross-examinations seen on television. The judge had no patience for grandstanding.

First, the plaintiff presented their grounds for divorce, followed by the defense offering their counter-arguments. Then, both sides submitted their evidence.

It was only then that Heath finally saw the concrete proof of Garnett's infidelity that the plaintiff had been holding onto.

Charley played an audio recording of a conversation between Lavinia and Sigrid Sloan.

*"Sigrid, I've always been curious. Do you prefer using contraceptive capsules? Or did Garnett make you use them?"*

*"...Garnett wanted me to use them. I'm sorry, I know it's wrong, but I can't just turn off how I feel, and he can't let me go either."*

*"Right, I get it. True love. From high school until now, however many years that is. So, the day you came back to the country, you had that high school reunion, and then you went straight to the Arden Estate?"*

*"Yes."*

Charley paused the recording and produced a single female contraceptive wrapper in an evidence bag.

"During the marriage, the defendant, Garnett Harper, invited his mistress, Sigrid Sloan, to the Arden Estate—the marital home he shared with my client—and engaged in sexual relations."

He paused. "This contraceptive wrapper was left under the bed by Sigrid Sloan. It bears her fingerprints. Furthermore, she confessed directly to my client that she slept with Garnett Harper on that specific date."

Listening to Charley's cold, objective summary, Lavinia felt her hands and feet go numb.

Even though she had lived through it, hearing it laid out in a clinical setting felt like pouring salt on an open wound.

Saul, fighting a complex knot of emotions, ruffled Lavinia's hair. His voice cracked slightly. "I'm sorry, kid. I should have vetted him better. Don't ever get married again. I'll take care of you."

Charley rolled his eyes, nudging Saul aside. He addressed the group. "Lavinia and I have plans. The rest of you can head home."

The crowd had expected a massive celebration, but it was clear Charley wanted to whisk her away for some alone time.

Everyone dispersed. Saul kept glancing back over his shoulder as he walked away, looking for all the world like he was terrified the big bad wolf was going to eat his little cousin.

***

Stepping out of the courtroom, Heath texted Garnett: *Mr. Harper, it's over. The judge granted the divorce.*

It took so long for a reply that Heath assumed he was being ignored. Finally, his phone buzzed.

*Understood.*

Heath sent a follow-up: *The plaintiff submitted additional evidence during the hearing. I will compile the files and send them over to you.*

Garnett didn't reply again.