Chapter 44
“It’s nothing,” Camilla said. “She’s the housekeeper who basically raised Barnard. She was really good to him growing up. She brought her daughter with her, and since it’s tough raising a kid on her own, Barnard let them move in. As for her little girl, Jasper just doesn’t like her. That’s all p>
Elise frowned. “So you just freeze them out? Barnard is always looking out for you and us. If someone did him a favor, that means they did all of us a favor. You should treat them with some respect. It’s really hard for that housekeeper, doing everything by herself. Did you forget how I raised you all these years? Even if you’re running things now, Camilla, you can’t lose sight of where you came from. You can’t treat them like hired help. Be kinder, okay p>
She squeezed Camilla’s hand, her voice gentle but relentless as she kept talking, reminding her again and again.
Camilla knew Elise was right. Her mom had worked herself to the bone to raise her—life hadn’t been easy.
But she just couldn’t see Davina and Daisy’s situation the same way. To Camilla, those two weren’t here for help or kindness. They were here to mess up her life and steal her husband. Of course, she couldn’t tell Elise that. She didn’t want to upset her.
Trying to keep things calm, she said, “I get it, Mom. I’ll handle it. Don’t stress about me p>
“Just handling it isn’t enough,” Elise insisted. “You have to do it gracefully. That woman did Barnard a huge favor. Treat her like she did you that favor, too.” She didn’t let up until Camilla gave her word.
On the surface, Camilla agreed to everything, nodding and promising.
She spent the whole morning at Elise’s side, partly just to avoid crossing paths with Davina and Daisy. But around lunchtime, Barnard showed up, arms full of takeout, and brought Davina and Daisy along.
Davina had also brought a bag of fresh fruit. Barnard smiled and said, “Mom, Davina heard you were in the hospital and insisted on coming to check on you. Since it’s lunchtime, let’s just eat together p>
Davina, all eager and energetic, immediately set up the little table for Elise’s hospital bed, helping out like it was second nature. Camilla had to force a smile, hiding her anger. She wanted to send them away, but Elise was already chatting warmly with Davina, making her bite her tongue.
All through the meal, Daisy kept talking and joking with Elise, sweet as can be; she really knew how to win people over, making Elise laugh until her eyes crinkled. Every so often, Elise would look at Camilla and say, “What a lovely little girl.” The message was obvious. Elise wanted her to warm up to them.
By one o’clock, everyone was heading out. Davina and Daisy left first. Camilla pulled Barnard aside before he could go any farther. “Barnard, let me make this clear. I don’t care what they do most of the time, but if they start involving my mom in their little games, I won’t let it go. Go home and tell them to stop with the tricks. People aren’t stupid p>
Barnard gave her a look she couldn’t quite read. “Camilla, you’re making up too many stories in your head. Davina isn’t as complicated as you think. She’s just… too kind, maybe even too nice. I know you don’t trust her, but maybe if you got to know her, you’d see she’s not what you think p>
Too kind? Too nice? Camilla couldn’t believe it. Since the moment Davina moved into Saddlebrook Estates, everything she did felt calculated, but Barnard refused to see it. Maybe he just wanted to believe Davina could do no wrong.
Camilla shook her head. “I’m not going to fight with you about her. But my mom is my limit. Tell Davina to stay away from her p>
Barnard stared at her, frowning like she was being ridiculous. All he said before leaving was, “You’re just too hard on Davina p>
When Camilla got back to the office, she found work piling up on her desk. One of her clients had been waiting in the conference room for ages. She apologized over and over, finally getting things smoothed out. By the time she was finished, she was completely wiped out.
Ever since Davina showed up, her whole life felt off balance. It was like Davina could upend everything—her home and her job—without even trying.
Ada came in with the next round of sample products, hesitating by Camilla’s desk. “About the housekeeper today p>
Camilla caught her pause right away. “Just spit it out p>
Ada sighed. “A lot of people in the office saw what happened. There’s talk going around—people are saying you act friendly to everyone, but you look down on your housekeeper, acting cold and demanding. They’re gossiping quite a bit. Do you want me to say something to calm things down p>
“Let them talk,” Camilla said. She couldn’t shut everyone up or control what people believed. There would always be people in the company who didn’t like her. As long as it didn’t affect work, she didn’t need to get involved in every rumor.
She added quietly, “Tell the front desk, if they try to come in again, don’t let them p>