The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 128

"Whatever you say," his voice dropped low.

***

Garnett swiped his keycard to the executive suite, strode straight to the bar, poured himself a massive glass of whiskey, and downed it in one go.

The liquid burned a trail down his throat, searing his empty stomach, but the alcohol did nothing to numb the throbbing ache in his head.

His hand gripped the empty glass tightly. He raised it, intending to smash it against the floor, but held it suspended in the air for a long moment before slamming it heavily onto the counter instead.

Hearing the noise, Sigrid emerged from the bedroom wearing a sheer silk slip dress. The thin fabric clung to her flawless curves as she walked, exuding a restrained, elegant allure.

Garnett didn't even look at her. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the CBD skyline as he barked into his phone.

"It's been an hour. Have you found her?" His tone was vicious.

Corinne's trembling voice stuttered through the speaker. "Mr. Harper, I'm... I'm still trying."

"Isn't she still using the same phone? Can't you track the GPS location?"

"I've made several calls. My contacts in the network are keeping their mouths shut. Mr. Harper, is it possible someone is hiding her?"

Sigrid froze. Lavinia had run away?

In the reflection of the glass, Garnett's face suddenly twisted into a snarl, veins bulging on his forehead as he roared into the phone. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Who is 'someone'?"

Corinne frantically apologized, promising to try every possible avenue to locate her.

"Three days," Garnett said icily. "I'm giving you exactly three days. If you don't find her, you're fired."

He hung up.

Sigrid wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her palms against his chest. Through the fabric of his suit, she could feel every muscle in his body pulled taut.

"Garnett." She rested her cheek against his rigid back, her voice like a soft sigh. "Don't be so angry. You're already under so much pressure managing the entire corporation. Don't let personal feelings stress you out."

"Feelings? What feelings do I have for that woman?"

"Let me stay with you tonight. Please?" Her voice was muffled, laced with a pleading vulnerability.

Garnett stiffened for a second. After a long hesitation, he held her and coaxed her gently. "Sigrid, you're not like those other women. I care about you too much to disrespect you like that."

"...Just let me sleep next to you. We don't have to do anything," she insisted quietly, tightening her hold on him.

Garnett was momentarily taken aback. He couldn't shake the feeling that Sigrid had changed somehow, though he couldn't put his finger on exactly how.

He sighed. "Go to sleep. I'll stay here and watch you."

She clung to him, staying silent for a long time before finally nodding. She took his hand and led him into the bedroom.

Sitting on the edge of the bed watching her sleep, Garnett let out an exhausted sigh.

He was so incredibly tired.

But he had to find Lavinia. No matter what it took or what methods he had to use, he was going to drag her out of hiding.