Chapter 301
This was Camilla’s first time meeting Tessa, but she could sense the tension right away. There was a chill in the way Tessa looked at her, like she’d already decided she didn’t like Camilla, even before a word was spoken.
Sarah spotted Tessa first and her eyes widened. Then she hurried over, slipping her arm through Tessa’s and flashing a bright smile. “Tessa, what brings you here p>
At the sound of that name, Camilla realized who was standing before her—Lance’s mother. Her heart gave a nervous flutter. She stood there, awkward and uncertain, thinking of how cold Darwin had acted toward her earlier. There was no way Lance’s mother would be any warmer, she thought to herself.
Tessa reached up and patted Sarah’s head, almost maternal, her eyes softening. “You usually tell me everything when you come back,” Tessa said, “but this time you made such a mystery out of a little shopping trip. Your mom asked me to look after you. Do you really think I’d just let you wander around without checking in? I had to call Shirley to find out where you were p>
Her tone was indulgent, but then her gaze shifted to Camilla. “And who is this? A new friend?” Tessa asked. “Strange, you never mentioned her before. Is she the reason for all your secrecy, Sarah? Tell me the truth. Was this her idea p>
Tessa’s eyes, sharp and suspicious, flicked over Camilla as if searching for cracks. From the way she spoke, she didn’t know about Camilla and Lance yet. Still, it was pretty clear that she considered Camilla a threat just because of Sarah.
Sarah glanced at Camilla, guilt flashing across her face, then started stuttering, “It’s not like that, Tessa. I… Camilla’s situation… could we maybe not talk about it right now p>
The more Sarah tried to dodge the question, the more Tessa seemed to mistrust her. Camilla wasn’t fond of the uncomfortable atmosphere either, so she decided to speak up herself. “Hi, I’m Camilla p>
It was just her name, but even that managed to make Tessa’s expression frost over. Before things got more tense, Sarah jumped in, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Tessa, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to keep this from you. It’s just… Camilla’s with Lance, and I didn’t know if he’d told you. I was worried you’d be upset, so p>
Watching Tessa’s face go even colder, Sarah dropped her gaze. She looked like she wanted to disappear.
Tessa’s attention snapped back to Camilla, now openly judgmental. “So you’re Barnard’s so-called wife? I heard Lance even threatened his grandfather because of you. I’ve been wondering what you could possibly have that would make my son risk everything for you p>
“Tessa, Camilla is my friend,” Sarah argued gently. “Can’t you please talk to her nicely? I’m sure Lance wouldn’t want you going after his girlfriend like this p>
For a moment, Tessa’s guard dropped the tiniest bit, especially as she looked at Sarah. “Sarah, you’re too young to tell good people from bad. Your mother trusts me to look after you, and I won’t let someone with questionable intentions influence you. Come here, stand by my side p>
Sarah threw Camilla another apologetic glance, but before she could say anything, Tessa pulled her over. Then Tessa turned to Camilla. “Mrs. Carter, we should talk p>
Every time she said that name, it stung. Camilla’s polite mask slipped, her words turning as cold as her expression. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea. There’s no Mrs. Carter here, and I really don’t have anything I need to discuss with you p>
Tessa’s face darkened. She looked at Camilla with outrage. “Do you have any respect for your elders? I’m Lance’s mother, which makes me your senior. You seduced my son, and you think it’s out of line for me to talk to you about it p>
Camilla let out a soft, almost amused laugh. “If you really thought of yourself as an elder, you wouldn’t keep calling me Mrs. Carter, knowing I’m divorced. You wouldn’t keep acting like all I’ve done is try to seduce someone. My relationship with Lance is honest and straightforward. There’s nothing shady or manipulative about it p>
Tessa shook her head in disbelief. “Unbelievable. No wonder even Lance’s grandfather can’t control you. Listen, Camilla, if you think you can marry into the Charles family just by talking back, you’re fooling yourself. I suggest you take a hard look at reality. Lance has met women more impressive than you. If he’s with you now, it’s probably just a fling. Let’s not forget—you’re divorced and you have a child. There are plenty of women dying to be with him who have way less baggage. What makes you think you have any future with someone like him p>
Her words couldn’t have cut deeper if she tried. For Lance’s sake, Camilla had tried to stay civil, but after that? She had no reason to hold back. “Whether Lance and I last isn’t for you to decide. We care about each other. That’s what matters. And about my divorce? There’s no law that says if you make a mistake when you’re young and marry someone terrible, you have to stick with them forever. I’m not embarrassed about my past, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the choices I’ve made p>