Chapter 282
Darwin watched as Camilla showered Jasper with an easy warmth he’d never seen before. She was gentle with the boy, always attentive, eyes following him with a tenderness that couldn’t be faked. That sight did something strange to Darwin, made him uneasy in a way he wasn’t used to feeling.
He started to worry. Camilla cared so much for Jasper, maybe too much. Would she still want another child with Lance? And if they did have one, would she ever care for that child as deeply as she did for Jasper?
The Charles family had existed for a century and more, built on rules, pride, and blood ties. Darwin was already pushing tradition by agreeing to let his grandson marry a divorcée. That was as far as his open-mindedness could go. There was no way he could accept Camilla favoring another man’s son over the continuation of his own family line.
Lance was hopeless when it came to love. If Camilla kept spoiling Jasper, the Charles family’s heritage might slip right through their fingers and wind up with outsiders.
The more Darwin thought about it, the more it ate at him. He knew what had to be done. If he had to play the bad guy and break things up, so be it.
“Camilla, maybe you should be a little more grounded,” he finally said, voice cold. “Don’t chase after things that were never meant for you p>
Before Camilla could even open her mouth, Lance’s voice drifted lazily from up ahead.
“Seriously, old man? You’ve got nothing better to do than mess things up for me?” Lance parked the car by the curb, then strolled straight over. He looked completely at ease, like nothing in the world could bother him.
He stopped next to Camilla, scooped Jasper up with one arm, and, with the other, wrapped his fingers firmly around Camilla’s wrist. He tilted his chin, hooking her hand onto his collar. “See, baby? I keep telling you, you really ought to put a leash on me. Otherwise, clueless people like him keep butting in and questioning what we’ve got here p>
From the moment Lance had shown up, Darwin’s chest felt tight. Ever since that disastrous meeting in the private room, he’d called Lance dozens of times, not one answered. It was as if Lance had decided he didn’t even know him anymore.
And now he was finally here, just to humiliate him like this.
Darwin felt nothing but shame. Utter embarrassment. How did a family as proud as the Charleses end up with a lovesick fool who practically threw himself at a woman?
Camilla glanced at Darwin—awkward for a split second—but Lance wasn’t giving her any space to step back. He nuzzled his head against her hand, looking up like an overgrown puppy. “You’re not dumping me just because a few people say things they don’t even understand, right?” he said softly. “Go ahead, tell the old man I’m yours p>
And now, on top of everything, he wasn’t even calling the man Grandpa anymore—just “someone who doesn’t know any better” and “the old man p>
Darwin spat Lance’s name out through gritted teeth, but it made no difference. Lance just tugged Camilla’s sleeve, extra persistent. “C’mon, baby, say something. Am I yours or what? Look, you let me move in, got me all these new clothes. You’re not the kind of person who goes back on her word, are you p>
He was relentless, practically glued to her, leaving Camilla no chance to say no.
Camilla just gave in. She reached up, brushed his hair back, and turned toward Darwin, her tone gentle but direct. “You see, Darwin? I’m not chasing what isn’t mine. He’s always been mine p>
Darwin felt like he could hardly breathe. He stared at Lance, towering over everyone, acting all smug and spoiled. If that boy had a tail, it’d be spinning a hole in the ground right now. It was ridiculous.
He’d seen enough. More than enough.
With an angry exhale, Darwin rolled up his window, then barked at the butler, “Let’s go p>
He swore never to see any of this again. If anyone needed to deal with this mess, let Lance’s mother come instead.
The butler leaned forward, talking quietly. “Sir, Lance came out so soon, we didn’t really get to talk things through. Should I reach out and try to reschedule with Camilla p>
Decades of service had taught the butler how Darwin operated—there were never any secrets.
Darwin shook his head. “There’s nothing left to discuss. That woman has no respect for rules. She is never becoming part of this family p>
“But Lance p>
“If I remember right, Sarah is back in the country?” Darwin cut in, intentionally changing the subject.
The butler hesitated, then nodded. “She just came back a few days ago. Are you thinking p>
“Let young people deal with young people things. I’m too old. I’m done managing everything.” Darwin leaned back, closed his eyes, and just sighed.
The butler understood and nodded. “I’ll call Sarah soon and let her know to come home p>
The sleek black Rolls-Royce sped off into the night, its tail lights vanishing around the corner, the thick exhaust lingering in its wake.
Meanwhile, Lance was totally unbothered, draping himself over Camilla and flashing his easy smile. “I mean it, Camilla, you were amazing back there. Next time the old guy gives you grief, just stand your ground. There’s no need to worry or feel bad. He’s only got me. Sooner or later, he’ll come around p>
“Lance, he’s still your grandfather… I just think—” Camilla started.
Lance shook his head, grinning softly. “Doesn’t matter. Grandpa or not, he can’t stop me from chasing the person I love. I won’t let anyone from my family treat you badly. Seriously, just do whatever makes you happy when you’re with them. If my grandpa has issues, I’ll handle him myself. You just be you p>