The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 382

Florence pressed her lips together, her eyes fixed on Lavinia. "Lavinia, to be honest... I've been wanting to return to the States for a long time. I can't stand the way things are handled here, and I can't control it either, but I just couldn't stop worrying about Sigrid."

Lavinia replied, "Florence, the Gilmore family operates with restraint and principles. I only want to take back what is rightfully mine."

She paused. "As for the things you're worrying about, I promise they won't happen."

She handed over a business card. "This is Julian's direct line. His integrity is widely respected in the business world. If you have any doubts, you can call him and ask. You can also ask him about the school arrangements; he handled it personally."

Florence nodded, forcing a tight smile. She sat in silence for a long time before letting out another heavy sigh.

"I'll leave the day after tomorrow," Florence said.

***

Florence kept her word. Right after the meal, she booked her flight and headed to the US two days later.

As soon as Lavinia got the news, she notified the court to execute the property seizure.

To minimize public spectacle, the court chose to enforce the seizure at night.

The evening they sealed the Sloan estate, Zoey sat in her car, her phone angled perfectly at the front gates, broadcasting a private livestream.

Meanwhile, Lavinia was lounging in a quiet tea house, casually sipping her drink, listening to ambient music, and watching the live feed on her phone.

On the screen, bailiffs were escorting Sigrid out of the house. Though fully dressed, she had been forced out wearing nothing but a pair of house slippers.

"What gives you the right to barge into my home?! I'll sue you! I'll sue you until you're stripped of those uniforms!" Her shrill, piercing voice set off a chorus of barking dogs down the alleyway.

The officers completely ignored her. Neighbors were peeking from behind their windows, eagerly recording the scene on their phones.

Under the bailiffs' direction, movers carried out box after box, stacking them at the bottom of the front steps.

"Don't touch my things!" Sigrid struggled to rush forward but was blocked by an officer.

"Lavinia! Lavinia Gilmore! Do you think changing your name gives you the right to throw your weight around? Just you wait, I'm going to expose every dirty thing your family has done!"

"Go this far? Who's going far? Are you saying the court is going too far?" Lavinia laughed. "Is Mr. Harper really out here slandering the judicial system?"

Garnett ignored the jab.

"If you want the money back, I have no objections. If you want to sue me, I'll show up in court myself. Whatever it takes for you to let go of this anger."

Lavinia set her cup back on the table.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not angry. Do you really think I'm doing this out of spite?"

"Fine. You're doing it with a plan, a purpose, and calculated steps."

Garnett paused. "I have to admit, I'm impressed you managed to convince Florence to leave Blossom City. I told you, I only bought that house for the Sloans to make up for what I owed them. As for what I owe you, you won't lose a single cent. If thirty million isn't enough, I'll add another thirty million."

Even today, even at this exact moment, he still thought this was just about money.

Lavinia stood up, looking down at him.