Chapter 146
They glanced at each other, both seeing raw fear in the other’s eyes. Ines raised her voice, biting out, “What, you planning to off us now? Don’t think I’ll get scared just because you’ve hired a bunch of actors. This is a country with laws, you know. I have people who’ll stand up for me p>
Her palms were slick with cold sweat. She was bluffing, and she knew it.
Laura spoke up, trying to keep things calm. “Ma’am, please, there’s no need to get worked up. We just want to talk things through p>
She paused, taking a breath. “From what we found out, your son’s death benefit should’ve been two million. Right now, I have five million to offer you as compensation. If you’re willing, let’s let this whole thing end here. What do you say p>
Odom’s eyes went wide at the offer, but Ines shot him a quick look, silencing him before he could say anything. She turned back, her tone bitter. “Unbelievable. Rich people, huh? My son hasn’t even been dead that long, and now Davina’s pregnant with your family’s kid. How do we settle that p>
She let out a shaky breath. “And my granddaughter, the only one left in our family, got taken away by that woman. Who am I supposed to turn to now p>
A flash of irritation flickered in Calvin’s eyes. He glared at Barnard, then finally spoke. “You can have the kid. Just tell me, what will it take to put an end to this p>
Ines’s eyes darted around, her face twisted with scheming. “Looks like money’s not a problem for you. Davina’s carrying your family’s baby, so here’s what I want: I want a big house, and another million on top. Take that as the price for Davina. Once that’s done, I won’t ever bother you again. It’s a fair deal, isn’t it p>
Calvin’s face went pale.
Six million and a big, fancy house—that was enough to get Barnard a high-society bride. Now he was being forced to throw it all at a divorced woman from the countryside. The thought made Calvin’s stomach turn.
But Davina was carrying his family’s child now.
He didn’t have a real way out. If this got any messier, the fallout would only get worse.
There was nothing for him to do but grit his teeth and give in.
“Sign the papers, take the money, and never show up here again,” Calvin said coldly.
Ines and Odom agreed before he’d even finished. Just like that, it seemed settled. Off to the side, Camilla watched, her expression unreadable, heart twisting with bitter irony.
Did these privileged families have any clue about real desperation and greed?
Money came so easy this time, but this would just bring more trouble later. Calvin thought sending Daisy away would tie up loose ends, but who could really say what the future might bring?
Camilla kept those feelings to herself. She wasn’t the same woman who had always worried about Barnard, and whatever mess the Carter family had made, it wasn’t her problem anymore.
Once the old couple left, Calvin’s attention turned on Camilla. “Camilla, all this happens and you just stand there? You’re supposed to be Barnard’s wife. How does it help you for him to be tied up with someone else p>
Camilla wrapped her arms around herself, every inch looking wounded. “Dad, what do you want me to do p>
She shook her head, hurt and angry. “All of you kept telling me, over and over, that the spot as Mrs. Carter was mine, that nobody could take it. But behind my back, Davina’s pregnant with Barnard’s child, and every single one of you hid it from me. You even helped her. If I hadn’t found out today by accident, would you have waited until the baby was born, then used him to push me out p>
As she finished, tears started streaming down her face. Her skin looked ghostly, and she had to lean against the wall to stay upright. Usually strong and stubborn, she suddenly looked fragile, tears spilling out in fat, silent drops. Calvin hesitated, the words of his scolding caught behind his teeth.
Barnard’s gaze lingered on her too, the anger he’d felt at her for not defending him now giving way to guilt and sympathy.
She was his wife, after all. Learning about Davina’s pregnancy like this, anyone would be upset and lose it.
“Of course that’s not how it is, Camilla. I p>
Barnard never finished. The operating room doors swung open.
Davina was wheeled out on a hospital bed. Her face had gone pale, her whole body frail. Her eyes swept the crowd before landing on the empty spot where the old couple had been. She let out a shaky, silent sigh of relief.
Seeing her, worry flickered in Barnard’s eyes. He moved as if to go to her, but with Camilla still there, he stopped short, frozen in place.
The doctor broke the silence. “Luckily, you brought her in soon enough. Both mom and baby are okay now, but you need to be more careful. No more accidents, understand p>
Nobody answered. The hallway was full of people, but not a single one seemed happy about the new life growing inside Davina.