The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 144

Lavinia glanced at it; it was an industry research report. She shook her head. "I don't know anything about the cosmetics industry. I can't help you with this."

Before Jacqueline could press the issue, Lavinia stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder. "I'm clocking out. Good luck with your work, guys."

With that, she walked away, leaving no room for further questions.

Lavinia thought to herself, who knew what Jacqueline would do with the report tomorrow if she gave her advice? She might intentionally plant a mistake in the data and pin the blame on her.

She had no intention of hurting anyone, nor would she give anyone the chance to hurt her.

The elevator came to a smooth stop on the ground floor. As the doors parted, she looked across the expansive lobby through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Just as expected, she saw a tall, slender man holding the leash of a Golden Retriever, waiting by the curb.

Amidst the hazy evening lights, he wore a mask, his expression cool and detached. But the moment he caught sight of her, a faint smile reached his eyes.

The dog barked twice—not aggressively, just a friendly greeting.

Lavinia jogged over. "Charley, what are you guys doing waiting out here?"

Charley replied nonchalantly, "Nemo wouldn't stop whining at home, so I took him out for a walk. Before I knew it, we ended up right outside your office building."

Lavinia thought to herself, *Yeah, right. Such a coincidence.* He had obviously come here specifically to wait for her to get off work.

"Let me treat you to dinner," Lavinia offered. "There's a place nearby called the Simmer Quarter. I heard the food is fantastic."

Charley looked at her, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Did something good happen?"

Lavinia stuck her tongue out playfully. "My mentor took the day off, so I had to present at the morning meeting. I got to show off a little."

She paused. "But, Sigrid spotted me. Let's walk and talk."

Lavinia recounted everything that happened at the meeting and how she had laid down the law with Sigrid.

Charley reached over and playfully ruffled her hair. "Didn't you handle that perfectly?"

He paused, adding meaningfully, "If someone is always telling you that you aren't good enough, it's just because they want to clip your wings so you can't fly. It makes you easier to control."

She paused, turning her head to look at him with a mischievous grin. "Someone even asked if you have a boyfriend."

He met her gaze, his eyes filled with a deep, quiet tenderness. "And what did you say?"

"I said my cousin has very high standards. He already has someone he likes."

Charley was mid-scoop with the chowder. Hearing this, his hand paused slightly.

Not noticing, Lavinia continued, "I told them you're into Anne Hathaway."

He let out a helpless laugh and handed her the bowl of chowder. "Eat up, Anne Hathaway."

The late-night rush was in full swing, with wave after wave of exhausted office workers piling in after their overtime shifts.

As Lavinia lowered her head to eat the chowder made with fresh shrimp and crab, the empty, hollow spaces in her heart slowly began to fill with warmth.