The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 102

Lavinia immediately asked, "Saul, what brings you guys here?"

On the way over, Saul and Charley had already coordinated their story. He smiled easily. "Since my dad has been sick, Lavinia's been spending a lot of time at our place helping out, which means she hasn't been able to visit you all as much. I came specifically to apologize for monopolizing her time."

He gestured toward the entrance. "We brought quite a few things, so we left them by the door. Just some health supplements. I hope you like them, Judith."

Garnett watched Saul with a neutral expression. He didn't buy for a second that his cousin-in-law was just playing the good relative. It was more likely a ploy to butter them up so the Harper family would bail out his struggling business.

He let out a barely audible scoff and shifted his gaze to Charley. Why was this finance drone dressed up so flashily? Was he here for a job interview?

Charley paid Garnett no mind, focusing his polite, undivided attention on the older woman.

With guests arriving so suddenly, Lavinia and Maeve moved the flowers and vases to a small side table to clear the main area. Maeve personally took over, brewing a pot of specialty tea for everyone while Lavinia sat off to the side, returning to her arrangement.

Judith was incredibly warm toward Saul and Charley, keeping them engaged in lively conversation.

Garnett sat with them for a bit, but quickly grew bored and strolled over to watch Lavinia.

Her head was bowed as she earnestly trimmed the stems and stuck them into the vase. But the result was undeniably atrocious. The branches were uneven, the colors violently clashed—red smashed against purple, yellow crammed next to pink.

The harder she tried, the more comical it looked.

Watching her intense focus, Garnett leaned down, bringing his lips close to her ear. "Is this the skill you spent fifty grand learning?" he whispered with a low chuckle.

Lavinia blushed, stammering, "I'm trying my best! I just don't have the talent."

From the corner of his eye, Charley noticed the interaction, and the faint smile on his lips flattened slightly.

"Sure. It's a beautiful day, and it's been a while since you played, hasn't it?" she replied, meeting his eyes.

They looked like the picture-perfect married couple. Judith was immensely satisfied and urged them on. "Go on, go on! Don't just sit around here."

Relieved, Lavinia put down the scissors and hurried upstairs to change into her golf attire.

"Saul, since you two didn't bring gear, you can grab some at the pro shop," Lavinia suggested as she came back down.

Garnett was about to head to the garage when he looked back. His wife had her head tilted up, chatting animatedly with Saul and that man. Her eyes were bright, her demeanor gentle and sweet—a stark contrast to the cold, distant way she acted around him.

The corners of his mouth tightened as he said coolly, "Let's go. I'll drive."