The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 294

294 /387

Charley turned slightly to face Lavinia. "At first, I selfishly wanted both of them to belong to you. But somehow, without even trying, you embodied the exact spirit of my grandmother and Judith. That's why tonight ended the way it did."

Lavinia looked at the paired bangles, deeply moved.

Originally, Judith had intended to pass her bangle down to Lavinia. And if things had worked out perfectly with Charley, the other one would have been hers, too.

But wearing them both on her own wrist could never compare to putting them somewhere they could do real good.

Lavinia smiled. "It was a blessing in disguise. The Harriet Hoyt Bangles are absolutely blowing up on social media. Lucian said his phone has been ringing off the hook. Several billionaires want to rent them. Even the high-profile socialites over on Marina Island are begging to borrow them."

She rubbed her temples. "Lucian looks so refined, but the man is a ruthless businessman. He hiked the rental price up to a million a day. I'm honestly in awe. Even at that price, demand is off the charts. The waitlist is already backed up for six months."

Lavinia started counting on her fingers. If everything went smoothly, the rental revenue from the bangles alone would generate over thirty million a year. That money could pay medical bills for people who couldn't afford treatment, build special education schools, set up community dining halls for lonely seniors...

The more she thought about it, the wider her smile grew, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I am amazing," Lavinia cheered, giving herself a little fist pump. "Who came up with the idea for the charity foundation? Me. Who suggested leasing the jewelry for funding? Me. Who accidentally went viral again? Still me."

Charley watched her grinning like an idiot. He crossed his arms, standing close enough to bask in her joy but giving her the floor.

"I've noticed. You're a total magnet for drama," he teased gently. "Maybe you should burn some sage to ward off the spotlight so you stop trending."

Lavinia laughed. "If me suffering a little drama brings happiness to thousands, I'll consider it my good deed for the year."

She paused, her tone sobering. "Garnett isn't so lucky, though. I heard the scandal completely tanked the Harper Group's stock, and someone is launching a hostile takeover off-market."