Chapter 333
Barnard led Davina out of the hotel, worry etched across his face as he glanced over his shoulder again and again. Something about Davina just showing up like that felt way too coincidental, and it left him uneasy.
Davina noticed his fidgeting and immediately took it the wrong way. She grabbed his sleeve, her voice rising enough to catch the attention of people passing by. “Barnard, what are you looking at? Are you still thinking about that woman? Is it so hard for you to leave her behind p>
It was late, but a few people were still making their way down the street. Davina’s outburst immediately drew curious looks, and Barnard felt his nerves switch over from worry to annoyance. He yanked her a bit closer and hissed, “Davina, what are you even talking about? What woman? She’s a cleaner. Did you not see her p>
Davina’s anger cooled just a little, but suspicion lingered in her eyes. She kept glancing back at the hotel, making it very clear she had no intention of getting into the car.
The frustration on Barnard’s face deepened. He couldn’t take it anymore and snapped, “Didn’t you hear her? She said her son is my age. Why would I throw away my life for something that ridiculous? If you’re going to accuse me of something, at least have a reason. Honestly, I have no idea what goes through your head sometimes. It’s late, let’s just go home and sleep p>
Davina stood rooted to the spot, her eyes still shadowed with doubt. “If you didn’t come here for her, then why did you lie to me? You told me you were going to The Carter Estate, so what are we doing here? When did you even meet that woman p>
The nonstop questioning made Barnard’s patience snap, mixing irritation with a strange, nagging guilt. He couldn’t help looking back at the hotel again before answering, “I had business, that’s all. It’s none of your concern, and it sure wasn’t cheating. You’ve made your point, Davina. Can we drop it p>
Davina’s eyes turned watery and she wrapped her arms tight around his waist. “Barnard, I don’t want to be like this. I’m just scared. You always tell me you love me but, ever since we started planning the wedding, everything feels like it’s falling apart. I can’t relax. Just take me with you, show me what you were doing here, please p>
She poured her heart out, but to Barnard, it was just more doubt about him and the cleaner. He couldn’t keep up with her line of thinking, and any plan he had to ask her who told her where he was completely slipped his mind.
He shook her off, his voice sharp, “It’s work, Davina. You wouldn’t understand if I explained, so stop asking. And for the record, if I ever cheated, it wouldn’t be with an old woman like that. So can you stop worrying already p>
Barnard thought being this blunt would at least put Davina’s mind at rest. Instead, her tears started again, this time even harder. Through her crying, she whispered, “An old woman? So that’s how you see me, too? Camilla was young and pretty, but you picked me. How do you expect me not to worry when you say things like that p>
That was it. She’d finally said out loud what was really on her mind. Barnard finally understood, but the realization only made his anger burn hotter.
He nearly shouted, “How can you compare yourself to her? I’m with you because of what we have, not some weird preference for older women. Let me say this one more time. There’s nothing between me and that cleaner. Are you satisfied now p>
The force of his words startled Davina. For a second, she stopped crying altogether. Barnard saw her trembling and sighed in defeat. “Davina, let’s just go home p>
He looked exhausted, and Davina finally gave in, following him hesitantly to the car.
Once she was in and seemed calmer, Barnard asked, “How did you even know where I was? Who told you p>
Davina fumbled with her phone and showed him an anonymous message. “I swear, Barnard, I wasn’t trying to cause trouble. I was just scared, and when I got this message… I couldn’t help it. Do you have any idea who might’ve sent it p>
One name popped into Barnard’s mind right away. Camilla.
Before he could put the pieces together, his phone started ringing. Calvin’s furious voice filled the car. “Barnard, what have you done now? You just got married, and there’s already tabloid drama—Golden Horizon Enterprises got pictures! Are you trying to give me a heart attack p>
Golden Horizon Enterprises was The Carter Group’s biggest rival, and both of them were fighting to win the same contract. The timing couldn’t be worse.
Barnard sat there in a haze until headlines flashed across his phone. Just a few minutes earlier, the CEO of Golden Horizon Enterprises had given an interview, throwing shade at the Carter family and hinting at their messy private lives.