The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 50

The main courses had been cleared, and they were waiting for dessert when Garnett's phone buzzed. As he answered, his expression darkened instantly.

Lavinia caught disjointed snippets of the conversation—words like 'scandal,' 'stock prices,' and distinctly, 'Ms. Sloan.'

When he hung up, Garnett remained silent for a long time, deeply lost in thought.

Finally, he looked at her and spoke slowly.

"Lavinia, PR just called. We have a bit of a situation. I'm going to need you to make a few social media posts to clear things up."

Lavinia frowned. "Your company's issues? What does that have to do with me?"

Garnett's voice was grim. "Someone is maliciously spinning rumors about me and Sigrid. It's mostly fallout from the Portus City situation."

Lavinia understood immediately.

He had gone on television to help relocate her father's grave and act as a pallbearer. The public naturally assumed they were basically married, considering he handled the family rites as if he were already a son-in-law.

It was actually hilarious.

"And what exactly does this have to do with me?" Lavinia turned her gaze toward the window.

"This is already impacting the company's stock value. PR strongly advised that you make a statement on your social media, claiming you were with me in Portus City the entire time."

"Sorry, I don't like lying." Lavinia stared out at the pitch-black ocean in the distance. "While you were playing the dutiful son-in-law for Sigrid's father, I was in India trying to find life-saving medication for my uncle."

Garnett stared at her in shock. "You went to India? By yourself?"

Lavinia turned back to him, her voice ice-cold. "Is that a problem? Did you actually think I was completely helpless without you?"

Garnett choked on his words, suddenly losing his patience as he forcefully steered the conversation back. "The PR department will draft the exact wording for you. All you have to do is copy it and hit send."

Lavinia pressed her lips into a tight line, staring him down unblinkingly.

"And the price?" she asked.

"The price? What price?"

"Everything has a price." Lavinia paused. "You get to salvage your corporate image, Sigrid gets to keep her pristine reputation, and I—despite doing absolutely nothing wrong—have to swallow this massive humiliation. Did you really think my compliance was free?"

Garnett let out a cold laugh, leaning across the table toward her. "Mrs. Harper, it seems you've finally woken up."

Lavinia met his gaze unflinchingly.

"I want to be alone for a while." She stood up. "Don't follow me."

She grabbed her purse and walked out.

Just as she asked, he didn't follow.

...

From a dim corner of the restaurant, Saul lunged forward, only to be yanked back by Charley's iron grip.

"He definitely said something awful to her!" Saul gritted his teeth furiously.

"If this is just a normal argument and you storm over there, you're only going to make it worse."

"I can't just swallow this! How the hell did Lavinia ever marry a piece of trash like him!"

Charley didn't reply, but his grip on Saul's arm didn't loosen an inch.

A few moments later, Garnett stood up, sharply adjusted his suit jacket, and strode out of the restaurant with perfect, arrogant composure.

Only then did Charley finally let go.