The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 219

When Lavinia woke up, the sky was just barely beginning to lighten, and birds were chirping outside her window.

She quietly got out of bed and made her way downstairs to the kitchen.

Maeve was already directing the staff, preparing breakfast for the household.

Rolling up her sleeves, Lavinia smiled. "I'm going to make Judith her Birthday Pasta myself."

"That is very sweet of you, ma'am," Maeve said.

"It's the least I can do."

The family slowly gathered around the dining table. Maeve helped Judith to her seat. When Judith saw the bowl of noodles on the table, she paused for a moment before breaking into a smile. "Did Lavinia make this?"

Lavinia walked over, carrying another bowl of noodles, and set it down in front of Judith. "Happy birthday, Judith. Wishing you health and a very long life."

Judith looked down at the bowl. The broth was crystal clear, the noodles perfectly separated, with finely chopped scallions floating gracefully on the surface.

She picked up her silverware and took a bite.

"Wonderful. Just wonderful." She didn't say much else, but her eyes welled up with tears.

Garnett was sitting across from her, a bowl of the exact same pasta placed in front of him as well.

He stared down at it. It looked exactly as he remembered.

It had been a very long time since he last ate the simple bowl of soup and pasta Lavinia used to make for him. Back then, whenever he worked late, she would always have a bowl waiting.

She would sit beside him and watch him eat. He never looked at her, and she never spoke. She just sat there quietly, waiting for him to finish so she could take the bowl and wash it.

He looked up at Lavinia. She was currently leaning over, refilling Julian's tea, her quiet profile entirely turned away from him.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

"Charley, how many children did Helena have?" Judith asked.

"Two. My father is the eldest. I also have an uncle."

The conversation shifted effortlessly. Garnett stared at the bowl of pasta and swallowed whatever words he had been about to say. He lowered his head and finished the entire bowl, drinking every last drop of broth.

After breakfast, the staff cleared the table.

Lavinia went upstairs, changed her clothes, grabbed her bag, and came back down, ready to leave.

Garnett stood up and grabbed his coat. "I'll drop you off."

"No need. Charley and I are heading the same way, so I'll just ride with him," Lavinia replied flatly.

"I should give this ring back to you."

With that, she stood up to leave.

Garnett reached out and grabbed her wrist, his brow furrowing deeply.

"Is Lavinia the one spreading rumors at the company?"

"No, it's not her. I believe Lavinia wouldn't say things like that. But Jocelyn Chandler..." Sigrid trailed off, looking down.

Garnett's eyes turned icy.

He pulled her back down into the seat beside him.

"I told you, I'm going to take care of you for the rest of our lives," he said in a low, firm voice. "You earned that director position with your own skills. Nobody is going to push you out."

Sigrid looked up at him, her lips trembling as she forced out a tearful reply, "But Lavinia and I work at the same company. I have to face her every single day, and it's tearing me apart. She already has you... why does she have to take my career too?"

"I'll tell Lavinia to leave Celestial Capital," Garnett stated coldly. "And if she refuses to quit, I'll find a way to force her out."

"Garnett, that's not right. It's better if I just leave. I have a much stronger resume than she does. Even if I leave Celestial Capital, I can easily find another job."