The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 53

The restaurant's food was excellent. Lavinia was in good spirits and ate a bit more than usual.

Watching her, Scott suddenly said, "Lavinia, you really have a gift for medicine."

She paused. "Not finishing my residency is my biggest regret."

"Being a doctor isn't the only path," Scott replied. "Take this job with Duncan for now. If you want to move up later, you can always prep for grad school."

As he spoke, his gaze suddenly shifted to something behind her.

Lavinia didn't turn around, but the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

"Lavinia," Charley's voice drifted from behind, carrying a clear, magnetic resonance.

A hand extended past her face. Scott stood up to shake it.

"I'm Lavinia's cousin, Charley Sheffield. And you are?"

"Scott Lambert, her friend from university."

Cousin? Lavinia shot Charley a sideways glance.

He pulled out a chair and sat next to her. He wore a dark grey suit with matte metal cufflinks etched with intricate, ancient-looking crests.

"Thank you for looking out for her. On behalf of the family, I appreciate it," Charley said smoothly.

Assuming he meant the job introduction, Scott smiled politely. "Not at all. Lavinia is brilliant. Working in reagent sales is honestly beneath her, but the flexible hours make it easier for her to take care of things at home."

Charley glanced at Lavinia.

"She's just re-entering the workforce. Let her ease into it," he said with a faint smile.

Lavinia stayed silent. Scott sensed the tension but didn't pry, casually chatting with Charley for a few more minutes.

Soon, Charley stood up. "Apologies, I have a lunch meeting to get to. Enjoy your meal."

Scott stood to shake his hand again. Lavinia stood up too, keeping her head down.

Once Charley was gone, Scott asked, "What was that? Did you and your cousin have a fight?"

"Yeah," Lavinia murmured vaguely.

"Well, I'm sure it was his fault," Scott joked.

She kept her eyes glued to the table. "No, it was mine."

She had no choice but to walk over, keeping her head ducked, staring intensely at the tips of her shoes.

"I'll transfer the money to you later."

Charley didn't respond immediately. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "Where are you heading? I can give you a ride."

"No need. I called a car." Lavinia pushed the door open and hurried out.

She hailed a taxi, slid inside, and kept her back to him, never once looking back.

Standing on the sidewalk, Charley watched the taxi merge into traffic and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Lavinia didn't know what was wrong with her. Every time she saw him, her instinct was to run.

Garnett always called her a child, and she hated it. But around Charley, she truly felt as immature as a little girl.

***

Since the reagent sales were primarily for lab use, her clients were mostly post-docs and professors—highly academic crowds. It was far less stressful than pitching pharmaceuticals to hospital doctors.

Relying on the connections she'd made scrubbing beakers back at Zale University, plus Scott's backing, Lavinia managed to land a few small contracts in her first month.