Chapter 319
Calvin had always been at home behind a desk. Out here facing men who spent their lives working the land, he didn’t stand a chance. In no time, he was shoved to the ground, a pile of furious arms pinning him while fists rained down.
Laura screamed and darted forward, desperate to stop the fight, but people blocked her from getting close. The security guards tried breaking things up, but it was hopeless. The men ignored them all.
Davina froze in panic, then started shouting, her voice breaking with fear. “Dad, stop! Uncle, please! Just stop hitting him p>
When she realized there was nothing she could do, Davina spun toward her mother, clinging to Carmen’s sleeve. Her words tumbled out, frantic and pleading. “Mom, please! Tell them to stop or they’ll hurt him for real p>
Carmen gave a cold laugh, then slapped Davina so hard her head snapped to the side. Davina staggered back, hand pressed to her cheek, stunned.
“And you have the nerve to speak up?” Carmen snapped. “Whose side are you even on? We raised you, and this is how you repay us? Didn’t even tell us you were getting married. If I hadn’t seen it on TV, how long were you going to keep it from us? And after Calvin insulted our family, why shouldn’t he get what’s coming? He needs to understand our family isn’t that easy to push around p>
Carmen was seething. There was no reasoning with her.
Davina could only stay there, sobbing into her hands, helpless.
Laura kept trying to break up the fight, but someone shoved her aside and she hit the floor hard, clutching her hip in pain.
Calvin got punched over and over. Nobody could pull the men off him. Finally, after what felt like ages, Calvin found his voice. He spat blood and roared, “Call the police! What’s wrong with all of you? Call the police, now p>
Davina jolted as if waking from a nightmare. She fumbled out her phone and dialed. Sirens felt like the only thing that could end this mess.
Eventually, police cars pulled up, sirens blaring. The fighting stopped, and the Blair family men were rounded up and taken to the station.
After it all, Calvin sat slumped on the floor. Bruises and swelling marred his face, especially one cheek that was puffed up badly. Laura scrambled to his side, shaking as she took out a clean cloth and gently wiped blood from his mouth.
Calvin barely looked at her. His eyes landed on Davina, but he couldn’t even bring himself to yell anymore. Instead, he mumbled over and over, “This is a nightmare. An absolute nightmare p>
When Calvin finally started to calm down, Laura dared to sit a little closer. Her voice was small and cautious. “Honey, what… what happened? Why did Barnard run away in the middle of the wedding p>
Calvin hadn’t gotten past his rage toward Davina’s family, but Laura’s question jolted him out of it. “He’s your wonderful son,” Calvin snapped. “How am I supposed to know what’s going on in his head? I had enough on my plate out there. Couldn’t you take care of one simple task? Just one! How could you let him slip away p>
Laura couldn’t meet his eyes. She glanced at Davina and tried to explain, voice barely more than a whisper. “I was watching her… I thought, since Barnard was the one who begged for this wedding, everything would be fine. I never imagined he’d just… run out at the last second p>
She felt wronged just saying it out loud. Barnard had made all kinds of mistakes, but he’d always cared about the family’s reputation. She expected him to go through with the wedding, then talk it over later if he changed his mind. How could he just leave them to clean up a disaster like this?
Calvin glared at Davina again, his stare drifting to her cheap wedding dress. He let out a sigh and narrowed his eyes. “And what about her? You didn’t even do that right. Look at what she’s wearing. She looks ridiculous. You think this isn’t embarrassing enough already p>
Laura’s cheeks flamed with both shame and anger. She rushed to change the subject, her words tumbling out. “Let’s not argue about this now. What about Barnard? Where did he go? He doesn’t have a phone… no money… what if something happens p>
Earlier, Calvin had taken Barnard’s phone and frozen his accounts, trying to stop him from running off to see Camilla. Now that Barnard had disappeared for real, Laura couldn’t help but worry, no matter how much she wanted to stay angry.
Calvin watched Laura panic. He almost rolled his eyes but kept his tone sharp. “Where do you think he went? He’s probably with that woman again. Go call someone. I want him back here, now. I want to see what he’s planning next p>
Laura jumped up and started dialing, hands shaking in her rush to call their connections.
In the corner, Davina had heard every word. She stood there, her cheek burning and red, her eyes flashing with a deep, simmering resentment.
Camilla. It was always Camilla. Even after divorce, she just wouldn’t let Barnard go. She’d once stolen Davina’s place. Now she was back, circling like a vulture, doing whatever it took to get back in his life. Shameless. Completely shameless.
Anger gave Davina new resolve. She spun to leave, but Calvin’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Where do you think you’re going? Stand right there p>
Davina froze, at a loss for words.
Calvin pressed on, impatient. “Are you blind, too? Help me up already p>
Left with no choice, Davina sighed and went over, bracing herself under Calvin’s weight.
Meanwhile, chaos from the Carter family’s disastrous wedding was already blowing up online, spreading like wildfire and turning their pain into everyone else’s entertainment.