Chapter 385
Once Darwin headed upstairs, Elise practically tiptoed over to Camilla. “That’s Lance’s grandfather? Why is he here? Camilla, what’s going on p>
“Mom, there’s no need to be so nervous,” Camilla reassured her. “Didn’t he say he just came to see Jasper and Lance? Just treat him like any normal elder in the family p>
Elise nodded, though the apprehension never left her eyes. “No, I just have this feeling it’s not that simple.
He spent the entire time grilling me about Jasper. Camilla, Jasper isn’t Lance’s biological son. How could a man like that possibly adore the boy so much out of nowhere?
You don’t think he’s fishing for information so he can secretly send him away or get rid of him, do you p>
The more her imagination spiraled, the more terrified Elise became. She gripped Camilla’s hand tight, her eyes darting nervously toward the stairs.
“What exactly did he ask you?” Camilla inquired.
Hearing that Darwin had been aggressively probing for details about Jasper surprised her, but she didn’t think the man was plotting anything quite as villainous as Elise imagined.
“He asked about his entire childhood with the Carter family,” Elise replied. “He wanted to know if he was treated well, what his favorite things were—incredibly specific details.
But I’ve been in the hospital for years. I hardly know what Jasper’s life was like with the Carters, so I couldn’t tell him much.
I just think his obsession with the boy is entirely unnatural.
Camilla, families like his care about their legacy above all else. Since Jasper isn’t of his bloodline, why would he care this much? What if he’s planning to p>
“Mom, please, stop worrying. We live in a modern society. He’s not going to kidnap or abandon a child.
I’m confident that’s not his intention. And even if it were, I would never let anyone take my son away,” Camilla promised.
Camilla knew perfectly well that Darwin hadn’t cared for Jasper before.
His sudden burst of grand-parental devotion was definitely bizarre, but calming her mother down was the immediate priority.
Elise remained unconvinced, refusing to let go of Camilla’s hand. “Listen to me. I can see that Lance cares for you deeply. But the gap between our families is just too massive. What if… what if p>
“Mom, I know what I’m doing. Please just trust me.
I haven’t had your braised ribs in forever. Since we have time today, do you think you could go into the kitchen and teach Susan how you make them?” Eager to stop the spiral, Camilla clumsily shifted the topic.
Elise gave her daughter a long, knowing look. She understood Camilla was deflecting, but she didn’t push it. She simply stood up and headed for the kitchen.
She and Susan were close in age, and Susan had visited her frequently at the hospital, so the two women naturally had plenty to chat about. Seeing them fall into an easy conversation, Camilla felt some of her own tension ebb away.
Just then, the sound of a car horn echoed from the driveway. The driver had brought Jasper back. The moment Camilla led her son into the house, Darwin hurried down the stairs, practically sprinting at the sound of the door opening.
Jasper had walked in beaming, clearly eager to tell his mother something. But the second he laid eyes on Darwin, his gaze flickered with unease. He instinctively tucked himself halfway behind Camilla, peeking out like a startled but undeniably curious little animal sizing up a stranger.
Darwin’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second at the boy’s blatant wariness, but he quickly plastered on an even more intensely affectionate grin. He waved the boy over. “Jasper! Come here, come to Great-Grandpa p>
Jasper pressed his lips together, refusing to say a word. Instead, his huge eyes darted up to Camilla, silently asking for permission.
Hearing Darwin so shamelessly refer to himself as the boy’s great-grandfather left Camilla slightly dizzy. Nevertheless, she gently nudged her son forward. “Go on, Jasper. He came all this way just to see you. Go keep him company p>
Jasper didn’t budge, his little fingers locking in a death grip around Camilla’s hand.
He vividly remembered their New Year’s visit to the Charles family. Everyone there had acted like they hated him and hated his mom.
The cold, calculating ways those people had stared at him brought back all the terrifying anxiety he used to feel living with the Carters.
Because of that, his guard against Darwin was currently sky-high.
Seeing that the boy wasn’t going to budge, Darwin took matters into his own hands and walked right up to him. He bent at the waist, bringing himself down to eye level. “Where did you go play today, Jasper? Are you tired? I bought you so many new toys! Do you want to check them out together p>
Jasper immediately took a step back, his eyes narrowing with deep suspicion. He asked bluntly, “What… what do you want?
I’m warning you, don’t even think about bullying me and my mom. My dad won’t allow it! He’ll p>
He puffed his chest out like a fierce, tiny predator trying to look intimidating, glaring fiercely at the old man.
Far from being offended, Darwin’s smile only grew fonder. “Jasper, you are my precious great-grandson. I absolutely adore you. How could I ever bully you?
Let’s go look at your new toys, okay p>
Jasper shot another deeply uncertain glance at Camilla. Only after she gave him an encouraging nod did he tentatively shuffle over to Darwin’s side.
But the moment Darwin reached out to hold his hand, the boy smoothly sidestepped, maintaining a safe distance as he cautiously trailed behind the old man.