The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 203

Lavinia walked out of the restaurant and spotted a black Toyota SUV idling by the curb.

The second she had gotten into Garnett's car earlier, she had texted Charley with her live location.

And just as she'd hoped, he had come to wait for her.

Her previously suffocating mood instantly lifted, feeling as light and free as a feather caught in the breeze.

She jogged over, pulled open the rear door, and was just about to climb in when she realized the backseat was entirely crammed with items.

There were varying sizes of elegantly ribbon-tied gift boxes, a massive bouquet of endless summer hydrangeas mixed with lilies of the valley, and perched right at the edge was a half-human-sized Lina Bell plushie.

How did he know she loved Lina Bell? She was certain she had never mentioned it.

She'd always been too embarrassed to admit her fondness for cute, animated IPs because Garnett constantly ridiculed her for being childish.

Staring at the mountain of gifts in the back, Lavinia felt her face flush burning red.

Charley opened the passenger door, his gentle gaze landing on her. "Get in."

Lavinia swallowed hard and slid into the passenger seat.

The car pulled into traffic. She held it in for a few blocks, her cheeks tingling from the heat, before she finally couldn't take it anymore. "The stuff in the back..."

"To celebrate your permanent position," Charley said, keeping his eyes on the road.

Lavinia thought about what Jocelyn and Garnett had said and murmured, "I offended the Chairman. Hiring me was just a stalling tactic. I don't even know how long I'll survive at Celestial."

"Then we'll celebrate Ms. Lavinia Joplin sticking to her principles and securing a personal victory," he replied.

Lavinia paused, turning to look at him.

His sharp, chiseled profile was focused straight ahead. For a few seconds, her heart skipped a beat.

She playfully pouted. "You're not even trying to comfort me."

He chuckled. "What do you want me to say?"

"Like, telling me I'm definitely going to get a promotion and a massive raise."

"You want me to lie to you?" He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling warmly.

Lavinia fell silent, but a soft warmth spread through her chest.

Girls would bring their dioramas outside and pay respects to the Moon Goddess.

Charley spoke softly. "Today is the Festival of the Wishing Moon. Saul told me that back when your parents ran their bakery, they used to make sugar offerings on this night every year. After praying to the Moon Goddess, they'd hand the candy out to customers and neighbors as gifts."

He paused, his gaze softening even more.

"I found a master craftsman to make this. It probably doesn't compare to what your parents used to make, but it's just a token of my sentiment," he said.

"These are made of sugar?" Lavinia asked, pointing at the two little rabbits.

"Yeah."

Lavinia didn't know what to say. No one had ever put this much thought and care into doing something for her.

*Look up, and see me.*

The riddle he had left her before suddenly flashed in her mind.

With him being this deeply considerate, she was terrified to let herself read too much into it.