The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 384

***

With her vacation over, Lavinia walked into the post-investment department at Celestial Capital carrying a large cardboard box.

"Hello! I'm back, and I brought souvenirs for everyone!" Lavinia announced with a bright smile.

The office fell completely silent as everyone stared at her.

Lavinia blinked. "What's wrong? I only took five days off. Don't tell me you all got collective amnesia and forgot who I am?"

Ethan walked over to her, gripping his insulated travel mug, and waved it slightly in her direction.

"Are you here to hand in your resignation?"

Lavinia shot him a look. "Why would I resign? I'm here to work!"

"Didn't you just have your Ancestor Recognition Ceremony and go from rags to riches? Why would you still want to work?"

"Because I love working. Is that a problem?" Lavinia ignored him and set the box down on a desk. "Everyone, come grab something. My family had a friend bring these back from Marina Island. They're from a famous old shop."

Her coworkers instantly crowded around. Ethan took the opportunity to pull Lavinia aside for an interrogation.

"Lavinia, are you seriously coming back to work? I heard you got shares in the Gilmore family, and didn't your new boyfriend just buy you a whole building?"

Lavinia pressed a finger to her lips, lowering her voice. "I actually only own ten percent of the property rights. I plan on making four hundred million off of it so I can pay him back."

She paused. "I have an ulterior motive for coming back. Ethan, Lavinia SOHO is about to start leasing out space. We have so many portfolio companies looking for offices. If you see any good fits, recommend them to Lavinia SOHO. If you close a deal, I'll have the major shareholder give you a cut."

"What major shareholder? You mean your boyfriend?" Ethan smiled, holding his travel mug. "So you came back to work undercover. Alright, if I see a good project, I'll pitch your building as the top choice for their headquarters."

***

By the time Lavinia arrived, the court enforcement team was already peeling the seal off the front gates of the Sloan estate.

The iron gates were pushed wide open. Several uniformed bailiffs stood in the courtyard, while the enforcement judge verified the final handover details with her lawyer. Zoey, standing off to the side, spotted Lavinia and waved a document folder in the air.

"Boss, over here!" Zoey jogged over, lowering her voice. "The handover is complete. Here are the keys."

She pressed a heavy set of slightly rusted brass keys into Lavinia's palm.

The judge walked over and handed Lavinia a court order. "Ms. Joplin, here is the official ruling. As of today, the complete property rights to this estate belong to you. If the previous occupants attempt to interfere in any way, you may request mandatory enforcement at any time."

Lavinia took the document, glancing at the red official stamp, and smiled. "Thank you, Your Honor."