Chapter 104
“I’m sorry, Mom. Daisy was wrong. I didn’t mean to do it. Please don’t hit me.” Daisy’s voice shook with fear, her little hands wrapped tightly around her head as she looked up at Davina, wide-eyed and pleading.
No matter how perfectly dressed they were, that moment just pushed them straight out of this world’s inner circle.
Barnard’s guilt was obvious, practically written across his face. He looked over his shoulder at the ballroom, making sure no one was coming out, then reached for both Jo Shiyue and Davina. “Davina, you shouldn’t be here. Just go home now. We can talk about this later p>
Maybe the disaster from last time had taught him something. Barnard really didn’t want to create a scene with Davina here, not in front of everyone. He called Aaron right away and told him to get a car for the two of them.
Aaron hurried back, arms full of a fresh set of clothes for Barnard. But Barnard’s attention was still stuck on one thing—the rose brooch he’d spotted in Camilla’s office.
Before heading back, he turned to Aaron. “Find out who Camilla made that rose brooch for. BLC should have a sample image. Go check p>
Once, Camilla had told him everything. Now, things were changing. She was hiding things. He wasn’t worried about her cheating—the idea barely crossed his mind. He just felt this need to know every detail about her. After all, he’d brought her into this circle. Camilla was supposed to rely on him, stay under his control.
Aaron was just about to leave when Barnard remembered something else. He called him back to give a couple more instructions, then finally walked toward the party.
By the time he slipped through the doors, the frustration was gone from his face, replaced by a calm, confident smile.
He spotted Camilla, surrounded by a group of business partners, looking every bit composed and charming. The bright ceiling lights shone onto her dark hair, catching just right on her skin and making her seem almost radiant.
That heavy feeling from before faded a little as Barnard walked over. He couldn’t help but think that in a place as dazzling as this, only someone like Camilla belonged by his side.
When Barnard arrived, someone joked, “Barnard and Camilla really are inseparable. You barely left for a minute, and you already came back to find your wife p>
Barnard laughed right along with them, his hand slipping around Camilla’s waist. “Absolutely. If Malloy had a wife like Camilla, I bet he’d never want to let her out of his sight either p>
Malloy grinned back. “You’ve got a point, Barnard. There aren’t a lot of women in our circle quite like Camilla. Her talent speaks for itself. With your blessing, maybe I’ll get as lucky someday p>
Just like that, the earlier incident was brushed off and forgotten.
When he was calm, Barnard fit into this world perfectly. Soon, he was chatting and laughing with everyone, as if nothing ever happened.
Camilla, though, watched him with growing confusion. He’d been furious just minutes ago—red-faced, barely holding back. How had he recovered so quickly? After a scene like that, she thought he wouldn’t dare come back. Even now, seeing him here, she felt a bit surprised.
The reason soon made itself clear.
There was a commotion at the door, and Aaron walked in, followed by a few waiters wheeling a massive cake. The second they entered, Aaron looked at Barnard and announced, “Barnard, here’s a special surprise, arranged by Camilla. She says she’s sorry for forgetting your birthday. This is to make up for it p>
Camilla met Aaron’s eyes. She could see the awkwardness there.
This was just another act, staged by Barnard to win back the attention and respect he’d nearly lost.
Before Camilla could say a word, Barnard took her hand. “Camilla, thank you for going to so much trouble. It’s just a birthday. If you’d forgotten, it wouldn’t have mattered, but you… you really are thoughtful p>
Thoughtful? Hardly. Camilla could only smile a little, the expression never reaching her eyes. Barnard pulled her forward to cut the cake. Right on cue, he dug in and—surprise—found a watch tucked inside.
Everything was staged perfectly. Camilla thought, if Barnard ever wanted to win an award for acting, he’d have a real shot.
The little scene ended, and the journalists swooped in again, showering the couple with praise about their deep love. Barnard leaned close, his voice barely above a whisper. “Camilla, I know you’ve been working hard. I won’t hold the forgotten birthday against you. Now that you have a way out, work with me. Smile. Let’s not turn this product launch into a disaster p>
Barnard needed the cake for his pride, and Camilla could use it to clear her name. At least in this moment, they wanted the same thing.
Camilla’s lips curved into a gentle, barely-there smile. Cameras clicked all around them, finishing the event in a triumph of photographs and applause.
Everyone seemed convinced Barnard and Camilla were the perfect couple. Only Camilla found it almost funny.