The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 229

A blaring ringtone exploded next to her ear.

Thinking it was her alarm, Lavinia groggily reached over and swiped it away.

She didn't even have a job anymore, why did she need an alarm?

To her surprise, a minute later, the ringing started again.

This time, she actually woke up. It wasn't an alarm; someone was calling her.

She grabbed the phone and saw Jocelyn's name on the screen.

Lavinia sat up, cleared her throat, and hit answer.

"Hey, boss, sorry. I was sleeping in," Lavinia said.

"Sleeping in? Do you know what time it is? Don't you have to work?" Jocelyn demanded, sounding thoroughly annoyed.

Lavinia blinked, looking down. "Boss, my resignation paperwork cleared yesterday."

"Did you not check the message I sent you last night? Your resignation was rejected. The CEO, Travis Lambert, kicked it back."

Lavinia froze.

"Mr. Lambert rejected my resignation? Why?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? Lavinia, what did you do?"

"I didn't do anything."

"If you didn't do anything, why would Mr. Lambert call me into his office specifically to say we absolutely must keep you?"

"How is that even possible?" Lavinia couldn't believe it. "Boss, you're messing with me, right?"

"Why would I mess with you? Mr. Lambert also said that from now on, he will personally review your performance metrics," Jocelyn paused. "Hurry up and get out of bed. There are several due diligence reports waiting for you."

After hanging up, Lavinia still couldn't wrap her head around it.

She opened her messages and checked her chat with Jocelyn. Sure enough, just past eight o'clock last night, Jocelyn had sent her a notification that her resignation had been rejected.

She checked the time—it was already 9:30. She had really slept in.

And in Charley's bed, no less. She really had no shame.

Lavinia practically leaped out of bed and sprinted to the bathroom.

On the counter, a brand-new toothbrush and towel were waiting for her.

She washed up at lightning speed and hurried downstairs. In the open kitchen, Charley had his back to her, cooking breakfast.

"Charley, the CEO rejected my resignation. I still have to go into the office today," Lavinia rushed out. "I'm already late, I've got to run!"

"Hold on, breakfast is ready. I'll pack it up for you," Charley said.

Lavinia had no choice but to stop and wait.

He boxed up an English breakfast, poured a latte into a tropical-themed tumbler he'd just brought back from Indonesia, and grabbed his car keys.

Ethan had tipped her off in the first place, so denying it now would just be insulting.

"Yeah, I met him," she admitted openly. "He's handsome, a total gentleman, and a really nice guy."

Ethan instantly understood and discreetly gave her a thumbs-up.

"Fearless Lavinia, you really hit the jackpot. Remember the little people when you make it to the top."

Before Lavinia could even feign humility, he had already silently rolled his chair away.

The glow of the computer monitor illuminated Ethan's face, making him look like some mysterious prophet.

"Lavinia, my office," Jocelyn called out from her doorway.

Hugging her laptop, Lavinia practically jogged over.

When she came back out, she was loaded down with a mountain of new tasks.

***

Inside the Celestial Capital boardroom.

The final item on the investment committee's agenda was the vote on the Renova Biosciences proposal.

The long table was packed. Caden Coleman set down his pen and looked around the room.

"I went to school with the founder of Renova Biosciences. Therefore, I will recuse myself from this vote," he stated.