The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 88

Sigrid's eyes were red, her brows knitted together in distress.

Garnett's heart sank. He walked over and asked, "What's wrong?"

Sigrid looked up, meeting his gaze with a vulnerable, delicate expression, though her voice remained composed. "Garnett, my family's ancestral home is up for sale."

Garnett paused. "Really?"

Sigrid's eyes welled with tears as she nodded. "That house holds so many memories of my family, and of us when we were kids. I want to buy it back."

She lowered her head.

"What's the asking price?" he asked.

"28 million," Corinne chimed in. "Four floors above ground, one basement level. Unbeatable location. At that price, it's a steal."

Garnett didn't hesitate. "Buy it. Don't use company funds; use my personal account."

Corinne nodded, exchanging a quick, triumphant smile with Sigrid.

She was incredibly grateful to Sigrid. Previously, Mrs. Harper had complained about her, which resulted in her getting knocked down from her position as chief secretary and sidelined in the logistics department. If Sigrid hadn't put in a good word for her with the boss, Mr. Harper would have never brought her back.

"Garnett," Sigrid said softly, "I just heard from the agent that there's another buyer interested in the house. They seem desperate and actually rushed to Marina Island overnight."

Garnett frowned. "That urgent?"

"Mr. Harper, Ms. Sloan and I were just discussing this," Corinne interjected. "It would be best if we also head over tonight. Delays cause complications. And since we'll need to run your card, you have to be there in person."

"I don't mind making the trip, but—" He glanced at his Jaeger-LeCoultre watch. "It's already 9:30 PM."

"The borders are open until midnight," Corinne pressed.

"It's not the border crossing I'm worried about." He paused. "Lavinia is home alone. I need to go back and tell her."

Corinne and Sigrid exchanged a look, both clearly stunned by his response.

A week ago, the morning after she had stayed in his penthouse suite at the hotel, she had returned to that same room.

She had foolishly assumed that if he allowed her to stay one night, there would be a second, and a third... Eventually, he would let her into his bed.

But when she reached the door, she found out he had checked out of the hotel entirely.

Without so much as a word to her.

When she later asked Corinne, she discovered he had moved back into the house he shared with Lavinia. Ever since that day, if he didn't have a business dinner, he went straight home to eat whatever his wife cooked.

She had always assumed that helpless little wallflower was entirely useless, that he couldn't possibly harbor any feelings for her, and that their marriage was solely due to family pressure.

But seeing him rush home today—insisting on telling that girl in person even if he was only leaving for a day—made her realize something disturbing. That little woman had quietly staked out a territory somewhere in his heart.

Maybe he hadn't even realized it himself yet.

She couldn't afford to let him figure it out.