Chapter 11
A partner from the Carter Group came over, so Barnard called Camilla to say hello. She followed him, exchanged a few polite words with the guest, then glanced up. The man she had seen upstairs was already gone.
The Carter family business hadn’t been thriving these past few years. After Barnard took over the Carter Group, he seemed desperate to prove himself.
These parties had become his main battleground. He spent every moment networking, pitching deals, and trying to pull in investors. As Barnard’s wife, Camilla couldn’t let her guard down for even a second. She followed him everywhere, smiling so much her cheeks felt frozen after just one lap around the room.
Her exhaustion was just starting to show when Barnard’s phone rang. They were standing close, so Camilla caught a glimpse of the screen.
Davina.
A few investors lingered nearby, waiting for Barnard to talk about their latest project. Barnard hesitated only a beat before suddenly pulling Camilla into the spotlight. “Sorry, everyone. I have an urgent call. My wife knows our projects inside and out. She’ll do the presentation for me p>
Camilla’s heart sank, but she forced her smile back in place and walked the guests through their pitch. By the time she finished, ten minutes had passed and Barnard still hadn’t come back.
She called his phone. No answer.
People kept coming up to ask where Barnard was, and Camilla kept covering for him, doing her best to brush off the questions. Even after the party wrapped up and the guests trickled out, Barnard didn’t reappear.
Down in the parking garage, Barnard’s car was gone. Camilla stood there for a moment, feeling like something he had just left behind and forgotten. Unimportant. Not even worth coming back for.
Yet, less than an hour earlier, he had promised her he’d send Daisy and Davina away. Now, she was abandoned again because of Davina—just a nanny.
Even the work he claimed to care about most no longer seemed as important as her.
Camilla realized there was no reason to wait two more weeks. Barnard’s attitude was answer enough. She needed to make a decision now, to cut herself loose before things got any messier.
She walked out of the garage, ready to call a cab, but suddenly a loud honk startled her. A sleek black Maybach pulled up next to her. The window rolled down, and she saw a sharply defined face, nearly perfect and bathed in the streetlights. A blue diamond earring caught the light, sparkling for a moment.
Then Abelard leaned over from the passenger side, looking as annoyingly cheeky as always. “Well, look at that. Camilla, all alone again? Hop in. I’m heading that way, so I can give you a ride if you want p>
Camilla was about to refuse, but her phone buzzed. Susan had messaged, asking when she’d be home, and saying Jasper was crying.
She tried to reply, but Susan didn’t answer. A flicker of concern crossed Camilla’s face, a creeping sense of unease settling in.
The hotel wasn’t anywhere near the city center. Getting a cab wouldn’t be easy. Ignoring Abelard’s smug look, Camilla pulled the car door open and got in. “Saddlebrook Estates. Thanks, Abelard. I mean it p>
He just snorted. “Save it. If it wasn’t on my way, there’s no way I’d go out of my way for you. You should be thanking Lance, not me p>
Camilla turned her head to look at the man beside her. He was focused on his laptop, fingers flying easily over the keys. Sensing her gaze, he glanced up.
“Do you need something p>
His voice was low and magnetic, with a bit of stiffness to it—and maybe a hint of authority. Camilla could tell from Abelard’s attitude that this man wasn’t just anybody. Even without any introductions, his presence made it clear he was used to being in charge.