The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 100

Principles over trivialities. She pushed the thought away.

She laid back down on the sofa and set an alarm for seven. Just as she picked up her phone, she noticed an unread text from Garnett. He wanted them to visit the Harper estate together tomorrow; Judith was missing her.

Lavinia let out a soft sigh.

***

The sun wasn't even up when the soft click of the front door immediately jolted Charley awake. He got out of bed and walked out to the living room, only to find a freshly cooked pot of porridge and a few side dishes resting on the dining table.

His eyes darkened.

She had woken up incredibly early just to make him breakfast.

Lavinia was nowhere to be found. She had clearly already left. A small sticky note sat next to the food:

*[Charley, I have to visit the family estate to see Judith. I texted Saul to come over and check on you.]*

Charley stared dead at the note.

*The family estate. Judith. With who?*

His heart hammered against his ribs so violently it was audible in the quiet room.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Zoey.

The moment she picked up, he demanded, "Is Garnett back?"

"...He arrived late last night. I'm sorry, Boss. He's relentless. He's dangerously close to pulling my real files."

"Understood. Good work."

He hung up. Sitting down at the dining table, he crossed his arms and stared at the steaming breakfast.

After a long moment, he picked up a pair of chopsticks and slowly began to eat.

It tasted incredible.

When he finished, he dialed Saul. His voice was completely flat. "Saul, have you left the house yet?"

On the other end of the line, Saul sounded groggy and confused. "It's the weekend. Why the hell would I be leaving the house this early?"

"I'm running a fever. Didn't Lavinia tell you to come check on me?"

Saul let out a massive yawn. "You're a grown man. You need a babysitter for a fever?"

"I'm keeping an eye on Lavinia for you, and you can't be bothered to look after me for one day?" Charley paused deliberately. "By the way, I should offer my early congratulations."

"Charley, you're coming with me," Saul demanded, breathless from wrestling a shirt over his head.

"Why?"

"I need to come up with a bulletproof excuse to drag Lavinia back to my place, and I can't think of one right now. Come with me. We'll brainstorm in the car."

"...Fine," Charley conceded smoothly. "Wait at your place. I'll drive over and pick you up."

He ended the call, unhurriedly gathering the dishes and washing them in the sink.

His fever had broken. He took a shower, shaved, and splashed on his most classic aftershave.

Walking into his walk-in closet, his eyes swept over a row of bespoke suits before settling on a sharp, sapphire-blue one.

He selected a pair of matching sapphire cufflinks to complete the look.

Before heading out the door, he stopped in front of the full-length mirror, raising his hands to adjust his collar, ensuring just the right amount of dress shirt was showing.

The man in the mirror was completely expressionless—cold, calculated, and perfectly in control.

His gaze lingered on his own reflection for a split second before he turned and walked out.