From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 25

"Did you go out drinking again?"

As she asked, she loosened the tie from around his neck.

Daniel let out a tired sigh. "Had to. Some of the department heads wanted to discuss business, and there was no polite way to say no. Ended up having a few beers with them."

He glanced down at Lavinia Bennett, a small, apologetic smile flickering on his lips. "What brings you here so late, Lavinia?"

"Seriously?" Lavinia shot him a look as she slipped off his tie and straightened his shirt collar, letting out an indignant huff. "I sent you a bunch of texts, called you a dozen times, and your phone was off the whole time. You have any idea how worried I was?"

Daniel fished his phone out of his pocket. "Battery died."

Lavinia took the phone for a second and saw he was telling the truth—the screen was black, completely out of juice.

"I’ll get you plugged in."

She knew exactly where to find the charger; there were always a couple around in the study and bedroom, just in case.

Lavinia moved with ease, grabbing the cable and getting his phone hooked up to charge.

But Daniel’s mind was elsewhere. He’d heard a noise earlier, and as his eyes swept the desk, they landed on a book. For a moment, something shifted behind his calm exterior—his eyes narrowed, tension flickering across his face.

He reached for the book and flipped open the cover.

Thank God. The page with Olivia Bennett’s neat handwriting was still intact.

Lavinia returned, phone charging in hand, but paused mid-step when she saw the book in Daniel’s hands. A flash of irritation crossed her eyes.

She walked over, her expression changing instantly, and plucked the book from his hands with a playful tilt of her head. "Oh, is this Olivia’s?"

Daniel pressed his lips together and nodded, looking away as if it was no big deal. "Found it yesterday while I was looking for something. Was going to drop it off for her."

A moment ago, Lavinia’s mind had been spinning with suspicion, but his detached attitude eased her nerves.

But… drop it off for her? Alone?

Lavinia squeezed the book a little tighter, forcing a bright smile. "I’ll take it to her. You’ve got your hands full at The Carter Group, no need to bother with little stuff like this. I’ll find a time to give it to her."

Her fingers gripped the edge of the page, ready to rip it out, but then she stopped.

No, tearing it out would be too easy.

If she was going to let this book linger, let it bother Olivia, why make it simple? Lavinia wasn’t one to let things go easily.

She snapped the book shut and let a sly, mysterious smile curl her lips.

When Daniel came out of the shower, Lavinia was sitting on the edge of the bed, scrolling through her phone.

She looked up at the sound of his footsteps, offering him a sweet, practiced smile.

Daniel stepped closer. "Let me drive you home."

"I’m not going home tonight," Lavinia said, her voice coy and teasing as she stood up.

She’d stayed over before—her things were always kept ready in the guest room. If she wanted to stay, Daniel wasn’t going to argue.