The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 107

The first-floor living room of the Harper Manor.

When Sigrid walked in, she stopped dead in her tracks. She hadn't expected to find Saul and Charley sitting there.

Saul looked up, slammed his teacup down with a loud clatter, and stood up. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, his tone aggressive.

Sigrid sat down across from him and offered a fragile, superficial smile. "What's the matter, Saul? Aren't you happy to see an old classmate?"

Back at Northwood High, Saul had been the class president of Class Two. Between Class One and Class Two, there had always been an intense rivalry over everything—except academics, where Class Two admittedly fell short. That was exactly how the bad blood between Saul and Garnett had started.

Saul let out a cold laugh. "Old classmate? If we're really just 'old classmates,' do you usually invite yourself into other people's homes unannounced?"

"I practically grew up in the Harper house," Sigrid replied smoothly, glancing around the room. "This place... it hasn't changed a bit."

Saul was momentarily speechless, struggling to find a comeback that wouldn't sound childish.

"Excellent tea," Charley remarked evenly, lifting his porcelain cup. The subtle, biting sarcasm hung in the air.

Sigrid's lips thinned as she glared at him furiously. She couldn't even retort; reacting would only prove she knew exactly what he was implying about her theatrical behavior.

The quiet ding of the elevator echoed through the room. The doors opened, and Garnett stepped out, playing the perfect gentleman. He held the door with one hand while gently guiding Lavinia out with his other hand resting on the small of her back.

"Garnett," Sigrid breathed, standing up immediately, her eyes glistening as she looked at him. When her gaze shifted to Lavinia, her lips tightened, and she offered no greeting.

Charley set his teacup down with a deliberate clink, shooting Saul a look that silently told him to sit. Saul swallowed his anger and dropped back into his chair.

Garnett carefully escorted Lavinia to the primary seating area before asking in a mild tone, "Sigrid, why didn't you let us know you were coming? My cousin-in-law and Mr. Sheffield are here today. If you had called earlier, you could have joined us for lunch."

The words sounded polite, but they carried a sharp warning. He was putting on a flawless display of protective devotion toward Lavinia, and seeing it made Sigrid's heart ache bitterly.

Struggling to maintain her composure, she spoke softly. "Garnett, I came because it's urgent."

Garnett glanced at Lavinia's impassive face before asking, "What's so urgent?"

Furious and humiliated, Saul raised his fist to swing, but a hand suddenly locked like a vice around his wrist from behind.

Charley held Saul's arm firmly in place and said in a maddeningly calm voice, "Saul. Let's take Lavinia and go."

Garnett froze. Lavinia? Since when did this guy have the right to call her by her first name?

Saul looked at Lavinia, who was standing there looking completely lost. He stormed over and grabbed her wrist. "What are you standing around for? Why the hell are you staying married to this trash? Are you waiting for a holiday miracle? We're leaving!"

Charley had already gathered their things seamlessly and was standing by the door, waiting.

As Saul dragged Lavinia toward the exit, Garnett exploded. "Stop right there! What kind of place do you think this is?"

"What's so great about the Harper family? Are we holding people hostage now?"

An old, commanding voice echoed sharply from the top of the stairs. Everyone froze. Judith was awake.