Chapter 169
Lance brought Jasper home that night. Maybe he knew Camilla wasn’t in the mood to see him lately, because he just dropped Jasper off downstairs and left right away.
Jasper walked in carrying a pile of toys, plus a few tiny clothes for Snow. Camilla looked at the haul, raising an eyebrow.
“Jasper, didn’t I teach you not to just take things from other people? Why did you let Lance buy you so much p>
Jasper shook his head, already ready with an answer. “I didn’t ask for anything. Lance had Jackson give them to me. He also said his dog is about to get a name. He wants me to guess what it’ll be p>
Camilla found it strange—Lance being secretive about a dog’s name—but seeing Jasper’s excited face, she didn’t have the heart to dampen his mood. Still, she had a feeling the name would be anything but ordinary, since Lance was choosing it himself.
“Even so, you still shouldn’t take things from him so easily. Got it?” She gave Jasper a gentle reminder.
Jasper was usually so obedient, but tonight he looked stubborn. “But Lance isn’t just anyone, Mom. He’s the nicest person to me, except for you. I p>
“It still isn’t okay,” Camilla cut in.
Her mind was completely tangled. She had no idea how to deal with Lance right now. Letting Jasper play with him was as much as she was willing to compromise. She didn’t want to owe Lance for anything else.
Jasper’s face fell. He watched Camilla, looking a little hurt and unsure. She stayed firm. “If you accept that many gifts from Lance again, maybe you shouldn’t play with him anymore p>
Susan noticed the tension and stepped in quickly. “Camilla, dinner is ready. Let’s eat while it’s hot p>
Camilla finally softened a little, telling Jasper to wash up before eating. He must have sensed her mood, because he just dropped his gaze and went to clean his hands without saying another word.
The next morning, as soon as Camilla walked into her office, she saw Barnard waiting inside.
He had a neat breakfast waiting for her—a black coffee and a sandwich—like it was some kind of peace offering. He gave her a hopeful look. “Camilla, I brought you breakfast. Want to try it p>
“I already ate. If you have something to say, just get to the point,” she replied, voice cool.
Barnard looked like he was trying not to sigh. Even after days of Camilla’s icy tone, it still seemed to bother him. “Camilla, I was hoping you’d come with me to The Carter Group. I p>
“You want me to plead your case with them, so you can go back to The Carter Group?” Camilla didn’t let him finish.
After the incident at the hospital, Calvin had banned Barnard from the company entirely. Barnard had kept a low profile while he was recovering, but now that he was out, he was clearly itching to get back into work.
He was twenty-eight now, not some clueless twenty-year-old. He was at the age where people wanted to prove something, so being cut off from the company had hit him hard.
Barnard tried to reason with her. “I know Dad already agreed—you’ve got sixty percent of BLC’s profits. And honestly, most of BLC’s clients came from The Carter Group in the first place. Letting me back in only helps you. You see that, right p>
He was trying every angle—logic, a touch of emotion, even trying to get her to see how it’d benefit her.
But Camilla just looked at him, cold as ever.
“You’re a smart person, Barnard. If you really want to get back into The Carter Group, there’s a way that doesn’t involve me pleading for you,” she replied.
Every single argument between Calvin and Barnard came down to Davina. If Barnard was willing to give her up—or at least stay away for a while—Calvin would probably forgive him. Barnard was his only son, after all.
Barnard looked frustrated. “Camilla, you know I’m not going to do that. Why even bring it up? To everyone else, we’re still husband and wife. Me returning to The Carter Group is good for both of us. You don’t need to make this so difficult p>
“It’s not about making things difficult. There’s just no need. Even if you aren’t at The Carter Group, Dad isn’t going to send good business to outsiders. Don’t try to use the company to threaten me,” Camilla answered. “Besides, you upset Dad because of Davina, but now I’m supposed to grovel for you? Since when is life that convenient for you? Do yourself a favor and don’t ask me for this again. I’d rather we just stay away from each other p>
She honestly didn’t know how Barnard always managed to act like nothing had happened, as if their relationship wasn’t at absolute zero. Maybe he actually believed she would always bend for him.
Barnard still looked like he wanted to argue, but his phone rang, and as soon as he picked up, his face changed completely. He left in a rush, barely saying a word to her.
Judging by how rattled he looked, Camilla guessed it was probably something to do with Davina—again. But she really couldn’t care less.
Barnard’s visit was just a blip on her radar. She got right back to work, focusing on everything she actually cared about.
But less than an hour after he left, Camilla’s phone rang. Calvin was on the line, his voice urgent, telling her to come straight to The Carter Group.
He didn’t explain much, but just hearing the stress in his voice, Camilla could tell something serious had happened.