Chapter 137
Camilla spent another day sprawled at home before she finally started to feel a little better.
Just as she was settling in, a call from The Carter Estate came through. It was Laura, inviting her over, saying they needed to talk.
Camilla more or less knew what was coming. It was always either an attempt to smooth things over or a thinly veiled threat.
She still hadn’t figured out how to deal with the dirt Barnard had on her, so for now, she went along with whatever Laura had planned.
When Camilla arrived, the dining table was already set with a lavish meal. But Barnard was nowhere to be seen.
Laura greeted her with over-the-top enthusiasm, wrapping her arm around Camilla’s and pulling her inside. Noticing Camilla’s questioning glance, Laura quickly explained, “Don’t bother looking for him. Barnard’s not here. This time it’s just you and me p>
Camilla held back a sigh. “So, what did you want to talk to me about, Mom p>
Laura hesitated, her expression turning pained. “Camilla, your father and I… we know all about what’s been going on lately. That Davina woman, she p>
She trailed off, clutching at her composure. Calvin had suspected something for a while, kept telling her to look into it, but Laura just couldn’t wrap her head around the idea that her son would ever go for a plain, uneducated nanny. She’d ignored the warning signs, and now it had all blown up in her face.
Even with the truth right in front of her, Laura still couldn’t bring herself to admit that her son would ignore a wife like Camilla and fall for a woman like that. The words stuck in her throat. The whole thing was just mortifying.
Usually, whenever Laura looked this conflicted, Camilla would step in, help her save face. But today, Camilla just stood quietly, pretending not to catch on to Laura’s real intentions.
Laura bit her lip and turned to Calvin for backup.
Calvin got right to the point. “Camilla, no need for secrets. I’m sure you already know what’s going on between Barnard and Davina. We’re all upset about this. Honestly, I wanted Davina out immediately, but Barnard refuses. And right now, The Carter Group’s reputation is too fragile for another scandal. So we have to hold off on that. Camilla, you’ve handled this with a lot of restraint, especially after everything with your mother. You didn’t go to the police, and for that, we’re grateful. I know you don’t want to go back to Saddlebrook Estates, but the place you’re staying now is too ordinary. I’ve transferred The Observatory property to your name. You and Jasper should just move in p>
Calvin almost never spoke to Camilla in such a gentle voice. From the way he said it, you could tell he really felt weighed down by all that had happened lately.
Camilla picked up on a lot from his words. He clearly had no idea about Jasper’s real identity. He thought things hadn’t blown up because Camilla had chosen to keep the peace.
She knew exactly who was behind that—Barnard, obviously. He was still holding Jasper over her head, using the kid as leverage. If Calvin ever found out the truth, he’d toss Jasper out in a heartbeat, and Barnard would lose the wife who kept covering up for him. Calvin might even force him into some stuffy marriage alliance, and Barnard’s affair with Davina would come to a messy end.
There was still one thing she couldn’t make sense of, though. If Calvin really was so furious, why hadn’t Davina been thrown out right away? There’d been no news, no drama—not even a rumor.
“So, what you’re really saying, Dad, is that you’ll let Barnard and Davina play house at Saddlebrook Estates?” Camilla asked, her gaze steady on Calvin, making him visibly uncomfortable.
A woman without an education, not even close to Barnard’s age—a total mismatch. Calvin would have to be out of his mind to approve of Barnard shacking up with someone like that. But right now p>
Calvin cleared his throat. “Of course not. Camilla, you are the only Mrs. Carter as far as this family is concerned. That other woman will be gone soon. It’s just, right now, Barnard is protecting her way too much and our family can’t afford more drama. You don’t need to compare yourself to her. Your mother and I only recognize you. You don’t need to get involved with this any further. I’ll make sure Barnard ends things with her p>
Camilla could practically feel Calvin’s disgust, mixed with plenty of frustration. With a temper like his, if he really wanted Davina gone, it would have happened already. The fact that it hadn’t meant something was off. Maybe Barnard had some hold over Calvin, too?
She stayed quiet for a long minute. Calvin spoke up again. “Camilla, you’ve always been smart. You must realize that in families like ours, love isn’t necessary. The title of Mrs. Carter and the financial security of the Carter family will do a lot more for you and your mom than any idea of love ever could. Don’t you agree p>
That was the threat, clear as day. Barnard used Jasper to threaten her. Calvin used her mother’s health as leverage. In the end, father and son weren’t so different after all.