Chapter 204
“Step in?” Lance repeated, his eyes lighting up with even more interest.
Barnard kept going. “Yes, Abelard. My wife and I aren’t even divorced yet, but he can’t wait to swoop in and steal her. Everyone knows the Charles and Lane families work closely together. If it gets out that the Lane family has someone as shameless as him, people will definitely think the Charles family has terrible judgment picking their partners. Lance, you have to speak up for me. At least give the Charles family an answer. Cut him off now, before he causes any more trouble p>
“You and her?” Lance looked at Abelard, soaking in every word Barnard said.
Abelard just looked exasperated. He shrugged, giving a helpless smile. “Come on, man, I swear, I’m innocent. Even if you gave me ten times the guts, I’d never dare go against you p>
Barnard didn’t get it. All he saw was Abelard’s nervousness around Lance, so he thought he could use Lance to teach Abelard a lesson. He pressed harder. “Lance, I’m telling the truth. I literally saw him pick my wife up today and bring her here. We’re still married. How is that any different from cheating? For the Charles family’s reputation, please step in and straighten him out p>
“Oh really?” Lance leaned back, grinning. “Because word is, Barnard Carter himself fathered a kid with a housekeeper, and now you walk around town with the housekeeper’s daughter like it’s nothing. But you’re still married p>
Barnard’s face froze. He had never expected that Lance, who was usually impossible to reach, would know all the dirty details of his life. He felt exposed, embarrassed. It was humiliating to have someone he wanted to impress know everything.
Lance kept going. “Bit of a double standard, isn’t it, Barnard? You can have kids outside marriage, but Camilla can’t even have a friend? If you ask me, marriage laws have way too many loopholes for people like you. There really should be a rule that as soon as either spouse cheats, the marriage’s over. Now that would be fair p>
Every word from Lance was openly supporting Camilla, leaving Barnard momentarily speechless.
Barnard finally forced out a stiff reply. “This is my family business. No need to trouble yourself with it p>
“So now you don’t want me to step in for you?” Lance cocked an eyebrow.
Barnard looked like he might break a tooth from clenching his jaw. Lance was being so direct, he’d be crazy to ask for his help after that.
“I was confused earlier. My family’s problems are my own. Camilla, let’s go.” Barnard tried to sound in control.
Lance chuckled. “You’re hilarious, Barnard. When did Camilla ever say she’d go anywhere with you p>
Abelard picked up on the cue and opened the car door for Camilla.
Camilla was done hiding. She got in the car with a quiet confidence, right beside Lance.
Barnard’s face turned gray, and he could only stare in rage as Abelard drove away. His anger built up, threatening to boil over.
So that was it. Abelard had always seemed to be at odds with Camilla, but really, they’d been teaming up behind his back. And Lance—an heir from a top family—was personally protecting them.
Just thinking about it made Barnard’s mind spin.
As if things couldn’t get worse, his phone started buzzing. When he saw Davina’s name, he felt nothing but suspicion.
Davina was so clingy, always calling no matter the situation. Why did he ever think she was understanding? Why did he imagine being with her was comforting?
The phone kept ringing. Barnard finally rolled his eyes and turned his phone off.
At some point, he realized he just didn’t want to see Davina anymore—despite spending months thinking he had to marry her.
Meanwhile, Abelard was driving for a while before something occurred to him. “Did you call your grandpa back? He’s probably still waiting in the office p>
“No hurry,” Lance said. “Let’s get Camilla home first p>
Abelard glanced over. “He sounded pretty mad. Maybe you should check in on him p>
Lance waved it off, half joking. “Relax, he’s not going to strangle me or anything p>
Camilla glanced at Lance, a bit anxious. “Is Darwin mad because of me p>
Lately, Lance had been spending a lot of time with her, and after how the Carter family treated her, Camilla couldn’t help but wonder if the Charles family felt the same way. Maybe she was just trouble for him.
Lance glanced back at her. “This has nothing to do with you. My grandpa just gets moody sometimes. Leave him alone for a bit, he’ll get over himself.” He looked to Abelard for backup. “You’ve met my grandpa. Come on, tell her, isn’t this just one of his moods p>