The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 149

Taking advantage of the defused tension, Lavinia quickly introduced them.

"Saul, this is the Director of the Industry Research Department at Celestial Capital, Jocelyn Chandler. Ms. Chandler is a prodigy—she's only a year or two older than me and has already successfully sponsored several IPOs."

"Ms. Chandler, this is my cousin, Saul Joplin. He has a Master's from Southern Polytechnic University and is the founder and Chairman of Joplin Adhesives Corp."

Both were professionals who knew how to play the game; they instantly set aside the fender bender and shook hands cordially.

"All sorted out that fast? I thought I was going to have to break up a fight," Charley remarked as he walked over.

"Charley!" Upon seeing him, a look of unbridled joy washed over Jocelyn's usually cool, composed features, lighting up her face entirely.

She stepped right up to him, looking up into his eyes. "How long have you been back? I couldn't reach you at all."

"Work has been swamped. I haven't had the time," Charley replied coolly.

Lavinia thought to herself, *Busy? He's been unemployed this whole time, meddling in my business every single day.*

Seeing Jocelyn's reaction, Lavinia knew her instincts were spot on. She definitely had feelings for Charley.

Jocelyn and Saul made their respective calls to their insurance companies to handle the cars, and then the group headed upstairs in perfect harmony for dinner.

As soon as they entered the private room, Lavinia took the seat where the food would be served. She arranged for Jocelyn to sit in the seat of honor, motioning for Charley and Saul to sit on either side of her.

Charley shot Lavinia a look and said smoothly, "The booth is quite spacious. Let's spread out a bit."

Without waiting for a response, he seamlessly shifted his seat closer to Lavinia.

The arrangement suddenly made them look like two couples on a double date.

Lavinia was too busy looking down at the menu to notice. By the time she finished ordering and looked up, she met Jocelyn's gaze.

Resting her elbows lightly on the table with her hands clasped, Jocelyn asked in a measured, inquisitive tone, "Lavinia, during your interview, you mentioned you got married right after graduation, which was why you took a gap year. Why do we rarely hear you talk about your husband?"

Lavinia froze. Before she had a chance to scramble for an answer, Charley cut in smoothly, "He's dead."

Everyone at the table was stunned, though for entirely different reasons.

"Charley, a little bit is fine. We can just take separate cabs home later." She intentionally emphasized the word "separate."

Charley shot her a sidelong glance, looking like he wanted to say something but held back. Jocelyn's eyes remained fixed on their side of the table the entire time.

The dinner had a weird vibe right from the start. Lavinia couldn't put her finger on why, but it felt like Charley was being incredibly uncooperative.

She had no choice but to shoot her cousin a look, silently begging him to start making toasts.

Catching her drift, Saul raised his glass and started making conversation. His business dinner etiquette was perfectly polished, friendly yet professional.

Seeing the rhythm finally get back on track, Lavinia let out a breath of relief.

It was just her "cousin" Charley who remained unusually quiet. Whenever the conversation drifted his way, the mood instantly chilled.

Suddenly, Jocelyn turned the topic toward Charley. "Charley, what have you been busy with lately? I heard those mines your family owns in Southeast Asia..."

"Ahem." Charley coughed twice, cutting his eyes toward her. "Those projects have already been handed over to someone else. And they aren't my family's, they belong to the company. Phrasing it like that is going to make people think my family owns actual mines. How could that be true?"