Chapter 255
Darwin’s grip tightened on his cane. When his eyes landed on Lance, the anger inside him practically boiled over. He scoffed, “You really think you’re something now, don’t you? You…” His voice caught before he could finish. For a moment, he just couldn’t get the words out.
The truth was, Darwin had already talked with Lance about all this before he ever sought out Camilla. Just remembering how stubborn Lance had been gave him a headache.
But this time, Lance finished his sentence for him. “You’re about to bring up she isn’t divorced yet, right? Please. She’s almost divorced anyway. And so what if she’s not? I’d still be the one fighting for her, even if it means being the other guy. I’d be the one willingly stepping in to raise someone else’s kid. You know how I am—I’m stubborn as hell. If she doesn’t say yes, I wait a day. If she never says yes, I’ll wait my whole life. Nobody’s going to talk me out of it. And if you really can’t stand the idea, you can just kick me out of The Charles Family. My dad can always have another son. But I’m not changing my mind p>
“Lance…” Chiwei called out softly, never expecting a conversation that started out so ordinary to get this out of hand just because Lance showed up.
She tried to calm him down, her voice barely above a whisper. Lance glanced over at Camilla. “This is family business, nothing to do with you. Where do you need to go? I’ll have someone take you p>
Camilla stepped in, trying again. “Lance, Darwin hasn’t said anything yet. You p>
“Camilla, it doesn’t matter what he thinks. I’m not giving up on you, no matter what. Don’t worry about money. Even without The Charles Family, I can give you more than Barnard ever did. Trust me, you don’t need to worry about me. Just go,” Lance said.
He grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and, before she could argue, gently nudged her out into the hallway.
Camilla stood outside for a moment, feeling like her brain was still trying to process how everything had spiraled like this.
Back in the private room, Darwin was practically fuming after hearing Lance mention leaving The Charles Family. His breaths came short and sharp. “So that’s it. You’d walk away from your own family over a woman? You really think you’re a grown man now, don’t you, Lance p>
“You’re the one who broke your promise and came to her today,” Lance replied, plopping down in the seat next to Darwin and crossing his legs, totally relaxed. “I’ve told you my feelings. There’s only one Camilla in the world—she’s the only one I’d ever lower myself for, the only one I’d willingly be the other guy for. If you can’t accept her, then I’ll go p>
He kept repeating things like “the other guy” and “homewrecker” right to Darwin’s face. Darwin had heard even harsher stuff come out of his mouth, and just thinking about it made his head pound. He couldn’t figure out how The Charles Family, a family always so strict about rules, could have someone as unpredictable as Lance in this generation.
Looking at Lance—so casual and unaffected, as if he really felt nothing toward his family—Darwin’s voice turned cold. “When exactly did I say I disagreed? I had Camilla come here today so I could ask what she thinks about children. You’re the only direct bloodline left in The Charles Family right now. She already has a kid, but that child isn’t one of ours. I know you. Once you’ve picked someone, you won’t ever change your mind. But you still have to leave an heir for the family, don’t you p>
Darwin hadn’t been happy when he found out Lance was seeing a divorced woman with a child, but he understood his grandson—nothing he said would actually make a difference. So he thought he could lay out some rules before Camilla officially became part of the family. He never expected Lance to show up and turn everything on its head first.
Seeing Lance quiet down a little, Darwin tried to speak more sincerely. “The Charles Family has always passed the inheritance to our own blood. If we don’t, what will the board say p>
“Then just tell my parents to have another kid,” Lance interrupted. “I already told Camilla that from now on, I’m listening to her. As long as she’s willing to be with me, if she doesn’t ever want her own child, then that’s that. No one gets to bother her about it. If that means you don’t get the heir you want, well, I’m repeating myself here, but I can just leave The Charles Family if I have to p>
Lance sounded calm, almost laid-back, and that just made Darwin want to swing his cane at him. “You little brat. Nobody in this house can make you back down, but you turn around and let a woman boss you around? If she’s so important, why don’t you just get a leash and let her walk you around p>
Darwin was so mad the words just slipped out, dripping with sarcasm. Lance just grinned. “Perfect. If she wants to, I’ll buy her a different leash for every day of the year. Diamonds, gold, you name it. If it looks good, I’m buying. And she’s a designer, so she can make her own—something unique. Then every day, I’ll strut around showing it off. I p>
Lance was still lost in his little daydream when Darwin suddenly slammed both hands onto the table and shot to his feet, looking like he could barely stand to be in the same room.