The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 247

The June House, Private Room.

Lucian Roche took a slow, elegant sip of his tea before speaking. "Ms. Joplin, all the details have been thoroughly ironed out. If you find everything satisfactory, we can proceed with the signatures."

Lavinia picked up the contract, scanning it one final time. She looked up and reached for the pen resting on the table.

"Stop right there!"

The door to the private room violently slammed open. Nestor Harper stormed in, with Garnett trailing close behind.

His face twisted in rage, Nestor marched straight to the table and snatched the document. "What the hell is this?"

Lavinia looked up, her expression entirely serene. "I have received full authorization from my grandmother, and I am finalizing the Gilmore Family Trust. Why exactly did you barge in here, Dad?"

"Full authorization?" Nestor sneered. "Did you bother asking the Harper family before pulling a stunt like this?"

Lavinia leaned back in her chair. "These are Gilmore assets. The Harper family has no say in the matter."

Nestor's face turned an ugly shade of purple.

He glared at her, spitting out every word. "Who gave you the audacity to speak to me like that? Was it this stray dog beside you?"

"Dad!" Garnett stepped forward quickly, yanking his father back by the arm.

Nestor shot him a venomous glare.

Garnett ignored him, his eyes locked entirely on Lavinia.

She was wearing a crisp white blouse, her hair pulled neatly back to expose the elegant curve of her neck. She looked sharp, commanding, and professional—like an entirely different person. This was not the frail, submissive woman he remembered.

"Why are you signing this?" Garnett asked, his voice low.

"Why do you think?" Lavinia met his gaze head-on.

Garnett flipped open the seized contract and skimmed it rapidly. "You cannot sign this, Lavinia. Even if a trust needs to be established, it has to be with a legacy firm I personally vet and appoint."

"You appoint?" Lavinia challenged. "What gives you the right?"

Garnett held her stare. "The fact that my grandmother raised me. The person she should trust with her legacy is me, not you."

"There's no need. I'm right here."

The voice drifted from behind the decorative folding screen.

Both men froze as if struck by lightning.

Maeve gently supported Judith as the elderly matriarch stepped out from the shadows.

Judith's gaze swept over Nestor with absolute disgust before landing on Garnett. After a long, agonizing second, she looked away, the heartbreak evident in her eyes.

Garnett was completely blindsided. He had no idea she had been sitting in the room the entire time.

What was going on?

"Grandma, I was only trying to protect you—"

"Protect me?" Judith sat down slowly, looking up at the grandson she had raised. She let out a weary sigh. "When it comes down to it, Garnett... you only ever protect yourself."

The old lady slowly shook her head.