The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 379

Pulling out a chair, Lavinia got straight to the point. "Do you have what I asked for?"

Garnett slid an envelope across the table. "There's a cashier's check for thirty million inside."

She pulled the slip of paper out, glanced at the amount, and offered a cool smile. "Excellent. I'll gladly accept Tobin's apology fee."

Garnett froze, staring at her intently.

She met his gaze, the corner of her lips curling up. "What, did you really think I'm as easy to manipulate as I used to be?"

She waved the check lightly. "Of this thirty million, twenty came from the payout you squeezed out of Tobin. The remaining ten is what you added yourself, which I'll count as the refund for that diamond ring you bought Sigrid."

She paused, letting the reality sink in before continuing. "As for the house, it seems you have no intention of taking it back from Ms. Sloan. Since you won't do it, I'll just have to handle it myself."

Garnett looked at her, his voice tight. "Does it really have to be this way, Lavinia?"

She stared right back at him. "I thought we made ourselves perfectly clear. The Gilmores never owe anyone a debt. But if someone wrongs us, we make them pay back tenfold."

She turned to her assistant. "Zoey, why don't you educate Mr. Harper on civil law?"

Zoey cleared her throat, speaking in a crisp, professional cadence. "During the course of the marriage, Mr. Harper unilaterally utilized marital assets to purchase real estate and luxury goods for a third party without Ms. Joplin's consent. Legally, this constitutes the 'concealment and unauthorized transfer of joint marital property.' Furthermore, this act of gifting violates public order and moral principles. Even though the divorce decree is finalized, Ms. Joplin retains the right to initiate civil litigation."

Garnett's complexion turned a sickly shade of gray.

Zoey continued mercilessly. "Ms. Joplin will file suit against Mr. Harper under the civil code regarding marital assets, demanding a redistribution of the concealed funds. Given your status as the at-fault party, we will petition the court to award you a significantly reduced portion, or nothing at all. Simultaneously, she will file suit against the third party, Ms. Sloan, for the invalidation of the gifted property, legally compelling her to surrender the assets."

Lavinia smiled faintly. "Did you catch all of that, Mr. Harper?"

Garnett stared at her like he didn't even recognize her. "Is it you who's changed, or was I just completely blind to who you really were this whole time?"

She shrugged indifferently. "Think whatever you want. I don't care. I only care about the outcome."

Standing up, she looked down at him from across the table. "And I'm going to win both of those lawsuits. Expect the court summons soon, Mr. Harper."

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