The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 248

"I raised you from a boy, Garnett. I spent years teaching you about loyalty and integrity. But you are a Harper through and through. Not a single word I said ever stuck."

Judith turned her gaze to Lavinia, her eyes softening with sorrow. "I see it all now, Lavinia. You've endured far too much cruelty these past two years. Whatever path you choose from now on, I will back you unconditionally."

A deep, biting chill crept up Garnett's spine.

He finally understood. This was a trap. A trap orchestrated by his grandmother and Lavinia to test him.

Judith hadn't trusted him for a long time—that was why she was handing her entire fortune over to Lavinia.

No wonder Lavinia had desperately tried to give him an out just moments ago. She hadn't wanted Judith to witness the grandson she raised betray her so callously.

He hadn't realized it then. Now that he did, it was far too late.

"Grandma, that wasn't what I meant! I was only suspicious..."

"Suspicious of Lavinia? Suspicious of her loyalty?" Judith cut him off sharply. "Who is the one truly guilty of betrayal in this marriage, Garnett? Do you really have no shame?"

Garnett's jaw clamped shut.

Judith let out another heavy sigh. "Break trust once, and it is broken forever. If you treat your own wife this way, how could I ever trust you with my legacy?"

The tea room descended into a suffocating silence. Garnett stood rooted to the spot, utterly speechless.

After a long moment, Judith took a deep breath. "Maeve. The pen."

Maeve stepped forward and handed her an antique gold fountain pen.

Lucian Roche smoothly produced two pristine copies of the agreement from his briefcase. Judith flipped to the final page and signed her name with profound finality.

Lucian gathered the documents, his voice clear and professional. "The Gilmore Family Trust is now active. Per Judith Gilmore's explicit instructions, the entirety of the Gilmore assets will be injected into The Judith Gilmore Charitable Foundation. The appointed board members are Mr. Julian Gilmore, Ms. Lavinia Joplin, Ms. Maeve Judd, and myself."

Garnett's name was absent. Nestor wasn't even an afterthought.

Yet, somehow, Lucian Roche had a seat at the table. Why? How? Garnett stared at Lavinia, a violently complicated mix of emotions churning in his eyes.

Lucian neatly packed his briefcase, adjusted his suit jacket, and strode toward the exit.

Nestor finally found his voice. "What just happened, Garnett? Did they scheme against us? Did your grandmother seriously just cut us off entirely?"

Garnett cast a hollow look at his father.

Grandma was right. He was a Harper. Without even realizing it, he had allowed his father's toxic greed to poison him.

"Dad..." Garnett's voice was completely broken. "This family is falling apart."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Nestor snapped. "This is all Lavinia's doing! She manipulated the situation! You should have divorced that bitch a long time ago!"

Utterly drained, Garnett didn't bother arguing. He simply turned and walked out.

Stepping out of the June House, a harsh gust of night wind whipped past, blowing his jacket open.

He stood in the cold, desperately trying to remember the exact moment his family had started shattering into pieces.