Chapter 166
“The kid’s still young. She needs some real guidance. Lying just to look good isn’t the way to go p>
Things were painfully clear now. The little girl, desperate for attention, had pretended to be a Carter. Her mom didn’t even bother to understand the truth and went straight to accusing Mrs. Carter of kidnapping her child. The policewoman tried to soften the blow, but once the truth was out, Davina could feel her cheeks burning.
Davina looked awkward. “So… so that’s what happened, I p>
She caught Barnard’s icy stare and, in a panic, yanked Daisy toward her, giving the little girl’s arm a sharp twist. “Look at you. You’re still so young, already obsessed with appearances. Pretending to be part of the Carter family—where did you get the nerve p>
“All you do is cry. Just crying and making a scene. You knew what was happening, so why didn’t you speak up for Camilla p>
Davina didn’t hesitate for a second. She shoved the entire mess straight onto Daisy.
Daisy shot back, voice loud and shaking, “You’re the one who told me! You said you were going to marry Barnard, so I’d be a Carter then!
“You’re the one who blamed Camilla, not me! This is your fault. How can you hit me for it p>
All the anger Daisy had kept inside came bursting out. She didn’t bother being polite or careful.
In those few sentences, Daisy exposed everything Davina was hiding.
The color drained from Davina’s face.
People waiting at the station overheard and couldn’t keep their whispers down.
“Oh wow, did I hear that right? She looks at least forty. Barnard’s what, twenty-eight? She thinks she could ever replace Mrs. Carter? That’s just delusional p>
“I know, right? Forget everything else, Mrs. Carter’s gorgeous, young, and she built her own brand from scratch. Even if Barnard lost his mind, he wouldn’t trade her for this woman p>
“Is this some cheating drama? And that little girl, standing right in front of Mrs. Carter and saying all that. Either she’s brave or just doesn’t care about Mrs. Carter at all p>
“I mean, you always hear about older guys chasing younger women, but seeing an older woman hang onto a young guy like this? I almost feel sorry for Barnard p>
The gossip just kept building, swelling until it felt like it would drown them.
Camilla stood calm, untouched by any of it. She hadn’t done anything wrong and nobody blamed her, so her face was as composed as ever.
Barnard and Davina weren’t so lucky.
Most of the biting words were directed at Davina, but Barnard felt them too. He couldn’t look up.
With everyone tossing around words like “older woman” and talking about the age difference, Barnard glanced at Davina.
For the first time, he really noticed just how big the gap was. He was still young and full of energy, but Davina was already showing signs of age. She even looked old enough for strangers to call her “ma’am” behind her back.
Barnard realized that even if they could go public someday, nobody would truly see them as a couple.
But with Camilla by his side, everyone said they made the perfect pair.
“Barnard, I…” Davina’s voice shook. She felt humiliated, desperate for a bit of support, hoping Barnard would defend her.
But the minute she said his name, Barnard panicked. He didn’t want anyone noticing, so he snapped, “Enough. Just leave already. Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough p>
Daisy’s eyes filled with tears as she reached for Barnard, but he shoved her hand away.
Instead, he stormed out of the police station, pulling only Camilla with him.
Outside, Camilla jerked her hand free and gave Barnard a knowing smile. “You ran out of there so fast you actually left Davina behind. What’s that about p>
“You keep saying you love her, but being seen together is just too big a deal for you, isn’t it p>
“I used to think you were devoted. Turns out, you treat every woman in your life the same. Easy come, easy go p>
He could lie to Camilla for Davina, but the second there was gossip, he dropped Davina too.
Camilla realized, once again, she’d been foolish to ever believe Barnard was a great guy.
All those insults in the police station didn’t hurt her as much as seeing his true colors.
Barnard looked at her. “Just admit it, Camilla. You wouldn’t be so harsh if you didn’t still care about me p>
Camilla’s expression tightened. For a second, she thought Barnard was trying to make her sick with his words. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she replied. “Who’d want a man who’s too scared to stand by the person he claims to love? You’re a coward. Honestly, I’m just relieved you don’t love me p>
She was grateful he had dropped the act so soon and shown her how ugly he could really be. At least this way, she hadn’t wasted more of her life on someone like him… someone who would eventually dump her in public, just as he’d dumped Davina today.