The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 216

Lavinia almost screamed in shock, but when she whipped her head around, she saw Charley standing right beside her.

He had come.

So late in the evening.

She stared at him, utterly stunned. His gaze, as cool and gentle as moonlight, rested on her face, making it feel as if all the turmoil of the past few minutes had never happened.

After a long beat, she finally found her voice. "When did you get here?"

"Just now. I haven't even said hello yet," he said, looking at her. "I was worried about you, so I let myself in."

Lavinia pressed her lips together. "Did you see what just happened?"

He held her gaze for a long time before replying, "Yeah."

Lavinia's heart started pounding even faster than before.

She cast a quick glance back toward the courtyard. "I need to get to the front. I'm supposed to watch the fireworks with Judith."

"Go ahead. Once the show is over, I'll make my formal entrance."

"What excuse are you even going to use to visit?" Lavinia asked, equal parts anxious and curious.

"You'll find out soon enough."

His thumb lightly brushed against her wrist—a warm, lingering touch—before he finally let go.

"Wait for me," he said.

Lavinia froze for a few seconds, gave him one last look, and quickly walked toward the front lawn.

The entire family had gathered outside the main entrance to watch the display. Lavinia stood beside Judith, holding her arm as they looked up at the brilliant bursts of light lighting up the night sky.

At some point, Garnett had appeared too, standing silently on the other side.

When the fireworks finally ended, everyone migrated back into the main hall.

As soon as Judith took her seat, Julian smiled and said, "Judith, I have a friend who heard it was your birthday today and wanted to come pay his respects. He's actually the grandson of an old friend of yours."

Judith didn't bother being polite. Smiling, she instructed Maeve, "Maeve, take down The Lunar Sentinel painting in my study and hang this one up instead."

Everyone in the room was completely floored.

The painting hanging in Judith's study was an authentic masterpiece worth tens of millions. And she was going to take it down to hang this incredibly understated painting of orchids?

Judith asked with a smile, "The last time I met you, I thought you looked familiar. Which old friend of mine are you descended from?"

Charley reached into his suit pocket, pulled out an old black-and-white photograph, and handed it to Judith with both hands.

The photo showed two girls, maybe fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing vintage school uniforms. One had her hair in braids, while the other sported a sleek bob.

Both were smiling demurely at the camera.

Judith's eyes widened, and when she looked back up at Charley, her voice was overflowing with profound affection. "Charley, come. Come to the back with me so we can talk."

Charley stepped forward and helped Judith to her feet.

Judith glanced at the younger generation. "Julian, Garnett, Lavinia... you come too."