Chapter 331
Barnard’s voice had taken on a gentle note, the kind you use when you’re trying to soothe someone. But as Davina listened, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was just… wrong.
He’d never given her a real answer for running out on their wedding. In the end, Davina had been the one to uncover the truth on her own.
Instead of taking her back to his family’s place this time, Barnard drove her to Saddlebrook Estates. “Davina, I know you’re not comfortable living with my parents,” he said. “Let’s just stay here from now on. You don’t have to put up with any of that anymore p>
Hearing him say all the right things for once, Davina’s attitude softened too. The disaster of their wedding still had her anxious, but she knew she couldn’t keep pushing Barnard away right now.
She gave in, squeezing his hand and looking up into his eyes. “Barnard, could you stay with me tonight? We haven’t had dinner together in forever. You know the Blairs never liked me. You’re all I have. If you ignore me too, I p>
Her voice caught. She didn’t mean to sound so desperate, but honestly, she was. Seeing her like this, so vulnerable, Barnard’s resolve finally started to crack. He stayed, helping her back inside Saddlebrook Estates.
Davina was determined to win him over. As soon as they stepped inside, she pressed herself into his arms. Barnard glanced down at her face, still a little puffy from crying, and something uncomfortable twisted inside him.
She tilted her head up, waiting for a kiss, but he hesitated. Clearing his throat, Barnard said, “Davina, your hands are freezing. Why don’t you have the maid run you a hot bath p>
His concern helped her forget about everything that had bothered her earlier. Touched, Davina gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be fast. Wait for me, okay p>
Barnard only murmured a reply. As she disappeared, he glanced at the scratch on his face and quietly told the butler to call a doctor for some scar cream.
Davina overheard him and her heart warmed, her footsteps feeling suddenly lighter. She always knew Barnard cared, deep down.
The moment she was gone, Barnard pulled out his phone, making a call. His face grew serious as he gave a few quiet instructions, something calculating in his eyes, mixed with anticipation.
After Barnard helped get the Blairs out of jail, Camilla got a call from Mahoney. Honestly, the only reason the Blairs even got released was because Camilla allowed it behind the scenes.
Barnard and Davina both wanted to use this little favor as an excuse to cut ties with her family for good. But Camilla knew better. Davina’s greedy relatives wouldn’t just let go. If anything, this was like setting loose a wolf you’d raised yourself.
Instead of dragging those clueless relatives into court, Camilla actually preferred Davina to keep dealing with them. Let her see for herself what kind of trouble she was bringing into her life.
After hanging up, Camilla immediately hired a private investigator to keep an eye on Barnard.
Lean had gone missing and Camilla was almost certain Barnard was behind it. It would make perfect sense for him to use Lean against her whenever he needed.
Things moved faster than Camilla expected. That night, at ten, the investigator messaged her.
Barnard had gone to Twilight House, and a man had let him in.
The investigator sent over some blurry photos. Most just showed Barnard’s back, moving carefully, but one picture stood out—a man’s hand reaching out into the hallway. On his wrist was a small, distinct red mole.
Lean.
As soon as she realized it, Camilla wanted to rush after them, find out everything right away. But she caught herself.
Barnard was sly. Confronting him now would only make him more careful.
She had to keep quiet, get a hair sample from Lean, and order a DNA test. She needed to be sure about Jasper’s parentage. That way, if Barnard ever pushed her, at least she’d have the truth on her side.
After a moment’s thought, Camilla replied to her investigator, telling him to send the whole file—the photos and everything else—anonymously to Davina as well.