Chapter 363
“You don’t seem the least bit surprised,” Camilla said, watching Lance closely.
Sarah always acted fragile and innocent around people. Everyone believed she was pure and kind. Back when Camilla first met her, even she had been fooled for a while. Only Lance had kept his distance, never hiding his coldness toward Sarah.
“There’s nothing to be surprised about,” Lance replied, his tone casual. “Everyone has their own agenda. Sarah doing something shady isn’t exactly headline news p>
He sounded indifferent, but Camilla could hear an undercurrent of disappointment in his voice. Whatever was between him and Sarah, it was complicated, and he obviously didn’t want to discuss it. Camilla figured it was better not to push.
By the time the car pulled up in front of Laguna Shores, Jasper, exhausted from running around all day, had already drifted off to sleep again. Rather than wake him, Camilla gently picked him up and carried him inside.
After settling Jasper in his room, she found Lance still downstairs in the living room. He was sitting on the couch listening as Dane wrapped up a phone call. Camilla poured a glass of water for Lance and handed it over just as Dane confirmed what they’d been waiting to hear. The social media account really was Shirley’s, and she had sent Davina in as a “cleaner” to spread gossip.
Lance’s jaw tightened, and his face grew colder by the second. When Dane finished reporting, Lance grabbed his jacket and made for the door.
Camilla stepped in front of him. “It’s late, Lance. Where exactly are you going p>
“I’m going to find Sarah. Someone needs to stand up for you,” he shot back, his eyes blazing with anger. The fury rolling off him was almost enough to fill the room. He had thought Sarah would’ve grown out of her old tricks by now, but she was obviously worse than ever. Enough was enough.
“Can you wait a minute?” Camilla said, keeping her voice steady. “Sarah’s practically your parents’ favorite child. All we know for sure is that Shirley’s involved. We have zero proof Sarah was actually behind it. If you go storming over there now, you’ll just make things worse. Your parents will be furious, and nothing good will come of that p>
Lance frowned. “I don’t care. Camilla, I told you from the beginning, you’re not with me just to be treated badly. They tried to set you up, so I’m going to get to the bottom of it p>
Camilla squeezed his hand, holding on just a little tighter. “I know you want to help me, but I’m not looking to cause a huge fight in your family because of this. Lance, please. Let’s just calm down for a second, okay p>
She knew how much he cared about her. That was exactly why she didn’t want him to do something rash.
Lance shook his head, still stubborn. “There’s no way I’m letting them get away with this. I don’t care what evidence we have. I know who’s really behind it p>
Camilla let out a sigh, her voice gentle. “I’m not saying we just let it slide. I just think instead of going for Sarah, it makes more sense to talk to Shirley first. They’re close. If Shirley’s in trouble, Sarah’s not going to sit this one out. Come on, let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you, and we can talk to Shirley together p>
She gave Dane a look, and he stepped forward, ready to help Lance calm down. Lance trusted Camilla more than anyone, so even if he still looked tense, he let Dane lead him out of the room without another protest.
Dane gave Camilla a grateful smile behind Lance’s back. He knew how bad things could get if Lance lost his temper. If he’d let Lance rush off to see Sarah, there probably would have been an all-out war at the Charles house that night. Thank God, Camilla knew how to keep him grounded.
The whole incident at the banquet had left them both angry. Camilla was still simmering the next morning when she headed out with Lance to pay Shirley a visit.
Shirley was just a regular employee at a listed company and lived in a simple apartment she rented herself. Camilla and Lance waited for her in front of her building and intercepted her before she could head out.
When Shirley spotted Lance, her surprise was obvious. She quickly forced a smile, trying to look innocent. “Lance, what are you doing here? Did Sarah send you? Does she need something p>
Lance let out a soft laugh, more scornful than amused. “Wow. You could win an award for acting. Did Sarah teach you that, or did you come up with it yourself p>
Shirley’s smile faded. She looked at Lance, her voice sharp. “If I did something to offend you, just say it. No need to throw shade p>
Lance cut straight to the chase, thrusting his phone in front of her face to show a string of chat messages. “Was this you, Shirley, or did Sarah put you up to it? Be honest p>
Shirley stared at the screen, panic flashing in her eyes for a brief second. But she quickly pulled herself together. “Lance, I was just being friendly. You don’t have to interrogate me like this. Isn’t that a bit much p>
Shirley’s mind was spinning, but she decided to stick to her story. She and Sarah were best friends. If Lance had no proof, he probably wouldn’t take things any further, not for Sarah’s sake. Anyway, everything she did was really just for Sarah.