Chapter 527
Barnard was busy calculating their next escape route and had zero patience to deal with Davina.
Even when her words fell on deaf ears, Davina didn’t miss a beat. “My family were honest farmers for generations. How did we inexplicably become criminals? Barnard, this has to be a misunderstanding, right? We’ll clear our names soon, won’t we? Otherwise, I won’t even know how to face the Blair ancestors p>
Laura, who had lived a life of pampered luxury, had remained completely silent, not uttering a single word of complaint.
But hearing Davina’s incessant whining pushed her over the edge. “Will you shut up already?! We’re already in this situation. Nobody wanted this to happen.
“Barnard is trying to figure out a way to get us out of here. Can you stop adding to his stress p>
“How am I adding to his stress? Barnard was the one who promised I’d live in luxury! He said he’d never let me suffer again!
“I was never this miserable back home! Now you’re forcing me to sleep in a rundown shack, and I can’t even complain about it?
“And these clothes! They’re soaking wet! How are we supposed to wear them?
“At the very least, can we go buy some dry clothes?
“I saw people selling things outside earlier. Is it a crime to go buy a decent meal?” Davina snapped back.
Barnard, who had remained silent the entire time, finally looked up. His pitch-black pupils locked onto Davina. After a long pause, his tone surprisingly softened. “You’re right, Davina. It’s my fault for not thinking it through. We really can’t eat this food. How about this? You go out, buy yourself a nice meal, and pick up some dry clothes for us p>
“Just me? You’re not coming with me?” Davina asked, momentarily confused.
Barnard replied, “I think I strained my wound while swimming earlier. It hurts too much to move right now. Mom will stay here to look after me. You go eat first, and we’ll eat later p>
If this had been the past, Davina would have thrown herself at Barnard, showering him with concern to prove her loyalty.
But after Barnard’s attempt to abandon her, his blatant desire to get back together with Camilla, and their current miserable circumstances, Barnard’s image was no longer as grand or untouchable in Davina’s heart. She had absolutely no desire to act like a loyal dog begging for his favor.
Hearing that Barnard’s wound hurt, she simply frowned. Since she had no intention of staying behind to serve him, she quickly turned and left.
Laura cursed angrily, “What kind of person is she? She claims to be from a poor family, but now she’s acting like a pampered princess. She’s completely spoiled.
“Barnard, why are you accommodating her p>
A cold, ruthless gleam flashed through Barnard’s eyes. He grabbed Laura’s wrist. “Mom, take this cash and hire a strong guy from the village. Have him carry me. We’re leaving p>
“What? We’re leaving her here?” Laura hadn’t fully processed the shift.
Barnard used to constantly preach about returning Davina’s favors. Even when they fled Cabinda for Valdoria, he insisted on dragging her along. But now, he was willingly ditching her?
Barnard’s gaze turned intensely somber. “She’s nothing but dead weight now. With her big mouth, she’s going to get us caught sooner or later.
“We can barely save ourselves; there’s no reason to drag her along.
“She has money on her. If she wants to leave later, it won’t be hard for her to figure it out. If you think about it, I’ve done more than enough to repay her p>
Barnard delivered a lengthy justification, though it was unclear whether he was trying to convince Laura or himself.
Laura thought about it for a second and nodded in agreement. “You’re right. She’s the type who only wants to share the wealth but bolts at the first sign of hardship. Let’s dump her.
“Barnard, you need to keep your eyes open from now on. Don’t let women like her deceive you ever again p>
Barnard brushed it off. “We’ll worry about the future later. Mom, hurry up and get it done before she comes back and catches us p>
Laura didn’t dare delay. She quickly found a relatively sturdy older man nearby.
There were no young people on the island, and Silas Miller was in his sixties, but he carried Barnard without a second thought.
He was strong and walked fast, but his mouth couldn’t stay idle. He probed Barnard, “I saw three of you arrive. Why are only two of you leaving? Is the lady not coming with you p>
Barnard replied smoothly, “I thought about it, and the debt collectors are only after me anyway. It’s too dangerous for her to stay by my side. It’s better to leave her here for a while. After we’re gone, I’d appreciate it if you could look out for her p>
He shoved two hundred-dollar bills into Silas’s hands. It was the absolute last shred of protection he would offer Davina.
As long as Davina wasn’t entirely brain-dead, she’d immediately return to Cabinda once she realized they were gone. After all, Barnard was the one who committed the crimes; Davina’s hands were technically clean. Even if the police caught her, she wouldn’t be in any real trouble.
Silas happily pocketed the money and nodded repeatedly. “Of course, of course. Are you heading to the port by boat? I have an old rowboat you can take if you need it p>