The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 7

When Lavinia returned to the Harper Manor, her stepmother-in-law, Zenia Ford, was arranging flowers in the living room.

Lavinia stood in the entryway, changed her shoes, and greeted her softly, "Mom."

"Well, look who it is. A rare guest." Zenia didn't even look up. "What brings you back to the main house today? Aren't you busy tending to your side of the family?"

"Garnett asked me to come back and pick up a few things," Lavinia replied patiently.

Zenia finally lifted her eyelids, looking Lavinia up and down. Her gaze swept over the faded, repeatedly washed dress and her bare, makeup-free face. Her lips curled into a sneer. "Garnett sent you back to borrow things, you mean?"

Lavinia had always known Zenia looked down on her. She came from a humble background. In Zenia's eyes, she wasn't good enough for Garnett, and certainly not good enough for the Harpers.

"The jewelry is in the safe. Follow me." Zenia set her shears down, elegantly wiped her hands with a towel, and slowly stood up to head upstairs.

Lavinia followed behind her.

In the second-floor study, a safe was built into the wall. Zenia punched in the code. With a heavy *click*, the heavy steel door swung open, revealing rows of exquisite velvet boxes. The glittering gems were practically blinding.

Zenia pulled out a dark green velvet box and opened it. Inside sat a breathtaking emerald jewelry set—necklace, earrings, and a bracelet. The clarity was flawless, the value astronomical.

"Garnett told me. For tonight's reception, this emerald set is the most appropriate." She handed over a piece of paper. "Sign this."

Lavinia froze, taking the paper. Printed at the top in bold letters was "LIABILITY WAIVER."

[I hereby borrow one (1) Harper family emerald jewelry set, valued at $4,000,000. In the event of damage or loss, I agree to compensate the full value. Borrower's Signature: ________.]

Lavinia looked up at her. "Mom..."

Zenia raised an eyebrow. "What? Refusing to sign? If you don't sign, I certainly can't let you leave with it. A four-million-dollar heirloom. If you lose it, who exactly is going to pay us back?"

Lavinia pushed the box away.

"Never mind," she said. "Thank you, Mom."

She turned and headed downstairs.

Zenia's voice trailed after her, "Absolutely no manners whatsoever. God knows what kind of household raised her."

Downstairs, Nestor Harper was sitting on the couch reading the newspaper, not bothering to look up.

"She's gone?"

Judith stepped forward, slamming her cane into the floor and pointing it right at Zenia. "Let me tell you something! Those jewels belong to me! Not the Harper estate! My granddaughter-in-law can wear whatever she wants, whenever she wants! You have no right to throw your weight around in my house!"

"Mom, please don't be angry."

"You definitely bullied her again!" Judith cut her off, her cane striking the floor with a deafening *thwack*. "Do you think I'm blind?"

Nestor set his newspaper down and stood up. "Mom, calm down."

"You two—" Judith pointed at her son, then at her daughter-in-law. "Both of you remember this! The Harper family didn't get to where we are today by being petty, small-minded snobs!"

***

The reception was held at an exclusive private club downtown.

When Lavinia walked in alone, the noise in the ballroom dipped for a fraction of a second.

She was wearing a sleek, simple black velvet dress that perfectly accentuated her slender figure and gentle features. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant low bun, her light makeup making her look more radiant than a movie star.

But her neck and wrists were entirely bare. She wore nothing but a pair of tiny pearl stud earrings. In a sea of women dripping in diamonds, she stood out like a sore thumb.