Chapter 372
Camilla finally looked away when she heard Darwin clear his throat behind her.
He asked, “Don’t you have anything you want to ask me? Or something you want to say p>
She met his eyes and answered honestly, “You never liked me in the first place. I don’t see why I should bother you p>
The corner of Darwin’s mouth twitched. After all, he was the one who had come looking for her. And now he felt like the one out of place.
“You’re pretty self-aware,” Darwin said. “Aren’t you interested in marrying Lance? I’m still his elder. Would it hurt to try and win me over a little p>
He wasn’t as harsh now. There was a bit of amusement in his voice.
Camilla shrugged. “You’re already used to everyone flattering you. If you’ve already made up your mind about me, there’s nothing I can say to change it. Why embarrass myself p>
Darwin let out a soft huff, but there was no irritation this time. He muttered, almost to himself, “At least you have principles. Not like other girls. I honestly can’t tell what Lance sees in you p>
She replied easily now that the tension had faded. “Maybe he likes that I’m different p>
Once again, Darwin felt a bit outmaneuvered, but he held his patience. “I haven’t asked yet. When did you and Lance meet? How did you two become a thing p>
He knew his grandson. Once Lance decided on something, no one could talk him out of it. Openly opposing him wouldn’t work. Darwin figured he might as well try a softer approach and get the details first.
But for once, Camilla, who’d been so quick with her answers, just went quiet.
When did she meet Lance? In her memory, it was that party she’d gone to with Barnard not long ago. That was the first time she remembered seeing him.
But the truth was, there was more to it. Lance always acted like he knew her better than that. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember anything before that night.
Darwin noticed her hesitation and chuckled. “Keeping secrets from an old man like me p>
He didn’t push. “Alright then, let’s talk about your son. Is he really part of the Charles family p>
That single question made Camilla’s expression shift, tension flickering across her face.
It was hard not to suspect that everything Darwin had said so far had been leading up to this.
Lance had already made their relationship public. Logically, Camilla should have just nodded and accepted it. But with Darwin’s sharp gaze locked on her, she hesitated.
Darwin left it there. The inside of the car went uncomfortably silent.
The car pulled to a stop at the Charles Estate.
As soon as Camilla stepped out, another car arrived nearby.
Lance got out, Jasper at his side. Jasper leaned a little into Lance, looking nervous, but as soon as he spotted Camilla, his eyes brightened.
Darwin stepped out too, and his gaze landed on Jasper. He looked him over from head to toe, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes. Jasper murmured, “Great-grandpa,” almost too quietly to hear. Only then did Darwin’s stare soften a bit, and he responded with a simple, gruff sound.
Lance frowned. “Seriously? You’re the one who brought Jasper here. He greeted you and you don’t even say anything p>
Darwin shot Lance a glare, then tipped his head at his butler. The butler quickly handed over a red envelope.
Jasper didn’t reach for it. Lance took it and shoved it into his hands. “You don’t have to be polite to your great-grandpa. After all these years, you deserve everything he gives you p>
He sounded so certain, it was easy to believe Jasper really was his son.
Darwin watched the two of them together, frowning as they stood close. Maybe it was his imagination, but the closer he looked, the more he thought Jasper and Lance had a bit of a resemblance. He hadn’t spent much time with Jasper. Every meeting felt more like an inspection, yet for some reason, he just couldn’t bring himself to dislike the kid.
If Sarah hadn’t come to him before, maybe he really would have believed Jasper was Lance’s.
Jasper ducked his head awkwardly under Darwin’s gaze. Lance reached over and protectively placed his hand over Jasper’s head, as if to shield him.
“Let’s get this straight,” Lance said, looking around the estate. “You invited my son here for the holiday. If anything upsets him, we won’t hesitate to leave p>
He wasn’t just warning Darwin. He was making sure everyone nearby heard.
Darwin didn’t get the chance to answer. Tessa came walking over, her eyes chilled with anger.
“Your son?” she said, stopping in front of Lance. “Lance, is this boy really yours? Only you know the truth p>
She glanced at Jasper, her words icy. “For a kid with no clear background, just being allowed into the Charles Estate is more than he deserves p>