The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 251

Early morning, Lavinia departed from the Gilmore Estate. Judith had offered the family driver, but Lavinia insisted on calling a cab herself.

She ordered a ride on her phone, and within seconds, someone accepted. A glance at the license plate told her it was Charley's Toyota SUV.

Lavinia smiled.

The moment she slipped into the passenger seat, she asked, "What are you doing here? Don't tell me you registered as a driver just to pick me up."

"You didn't even tell me you were dealing with something this huge," Charley said, his tone mild but pointed.

Lavinia paused, then laughed. "What's wrong? Is it so hard to watch me handle things on my own?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he reached over, grabbed a paper bag from the console, and handed it to her. "Eat your breakfast."

Lavinia playfully stuck her tongue out. "Where are today's beans from?"

"Indonesia," he said. "Mandheling."

Since getting close to Charley, Lavinia had learned how to appreciate single-origin coffee, identify different types of wood, and even listen to classical music.

Without her realizing it, he had already influenced her in so many ways.

"Are you free to go somewhere with me this weekend?" Charley asked.

"Where?" she asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

"To Chancellor's Row. I want to hunt for some antiques. There are a lot of ancestral homes and historic properties over there. Sometimes people inherit old pieces they don't understand and sell them off as junk."

"So you want me to go dumpster diving with you?" Lavinia laughed. "Sure, that's my favorite hobby."

Charley caught her eye in his peripheral vision, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.

***

When the weekend arrived, Lavinia and Charley headed to Chancellor's Row.

This area used to be a hub for wealthy merchants and officials, and it featured Blossom City's last remaining cluster of historic heritage buildings. Now, it had been converted into a cultural district, relatively free of tourists. With its gray brickwork, tiled roofs, and weeping willows offering shade, it was the perfect place for a relaxing weekend stroll.

Charley guided her through the antique market. He picked up some architectural scrollwork, a pair of vintage lion statues, and then his eyes landed on an imported antique clock.

The woman nodded again.

Lavinia grabbed the woman's handbag, digging through it until she found a small bottle of nitroglycerin pills. She twisted the cap off, shook one out, and carefully brought it to the woman's lips.

"Keep this under your tongue. Don't swallow it."

The woman did as instructed. After a few agonizing moments, her breathing gradually steadied, and some color returned to her face.

She looked up at Lavinia and whispered, "Thank you."

"Do you live far from here?" Lavinia asked gently. "We can walk you home."

The woman pointed deeper down the alley. "It's just up ahead. My daughter is bringing her boyfriend over for dinner today. I was just stepping out to buy groceries, but my heart started acting up."

Charley silently bent down and gathered her dropped grocery bags, holding them easily in one hand.

Lavinia turned to him. "Charley, let's get her home safely."