Chapter 352
He didn’t know everything about Camilla’s past. Those old wounds were hers and he was never going to be the one to reopen them. He also wasn’t about to let anyone else use her past against her.
A couple of waiters, having caught Lance’s signal, stepped toward Davina. Tessa blocked their way. “Lance, did you know all along what kind of mess this woman’s been in?” Her eyes were cold. “And you’re still going to stand up for her? What spell has she put on you p>
“Tessa, don’t talk like that. I know exactly who Camilla is, probably better than you.” Lance’s voice stayed even, but his glare was sharp. “And you—aren’t you supposed to be the head of the Charles family? Yet you let someone off the street come in and turn you against people with a few words. Who’s the foolish one here p>
He didn’t bother hiding his attitude, not even with his own mother.
Tessa’s chest rose and fell with fury. “I’m the foolish one? Really? This woman doesn’t even know who her child’s father is. If she wasn’t so…loose, why would she not know something so basic? Lance, are you insane? How could you fall for someone like that p>
“I’m perfectly clear-headed, thanks. You want to know who Jasper’s father is?” Lance stepped closer. “It’s me. Jasper’s always been my son. Satisfied? Or should I go get a paternity test just for you?” His words were calm, but his jaw was tight.
Everyone could feel the tension as mother and son squared off. It was making a scene.
Oscar, who’d been chatting with other guests a little ways off, heard the shouting. He walked over, quickly sizing up the situation. It was spiraling fast.
Oscar cut the party short, telling the staff to see the guests out. Then he turned to Tessa, keeping his own voice smooth. “Tessa, today is still Sarah’s birthday. Ending the party like this isn’t fair to her. Why don’t you take Sarah out for a bit, help her calm down p>
Lance had never been close to his family. He barely spoke to them, and when he did, it usually ended in arguments. Today, things were even worse than usual.
Oscar tried to defuse it, at least for now. They could argue more—later.
Tessa’s glare landed on Camilla. “Fine. You want a paternity test? Go ahead. But don’t think you can pull any tricks behind my back, Lance. I’ll never accept a woman with a past like hers p>
Lance just shook his head, a mocking smile twisting his lips. “Tessa, don’t flatter yourself. Honestly, Camilla doesn’t need a clueless mother-in-law like you. Camilla, let’s go.” He held out his hand.
Davina watched the Charles family implode, and seeing Tessa so dead-set against Camilla made her want to laugh out loud. Everything was going exactly as she planned. Tessa had just said Camilla would never be allowed into the family. Even if Lance liked her, what could he do? He wouldn’t dare go against his whole family for her.
And without anyone on her side, Camilla would never be her match. Getting rid of her would be easy now, whenever Davina felt like it.
The more she thought about it, the happier she got. Soon, she’d never have to live under Camilla’s shadow again.
Suddenly, a shadow fell across Davina. Lance had stopped right in front of her. He didn’t miss the little smirk she was trying to hide. His voice dropped, ice-cold. “Go home and tell the Carter family that I’ll be coming for them after today. Tell them to get ready p>
Davina’s face paled. She wanted to argue, but Lance was already taking Camilla’s hand and leading her out.
Panic set in. Davina turned to Tessa, desperate. “Tessa, please, you have to help me. I… I just didn’t want your family to be tricked by her, that’s why I told you everything. Please, can you talk to Lance, tell him not to target us p>
She hadn’t expected this. She thought if she humiliated Camilla in public, Lance would be too embarrassed to stand by her. She thought he’d finally give up on Camilla in front of everyone. But even now, even after all this, Lance was still defending her.
And when he threatened to come after the Carter family, that’s when the fear started to really take hold. The Carters already blamed her for enough. She’d sneaked out to come here—if she ended up dragging the family into trouble, Calvin would never let her live it down.
Tessa just let out a cold laugh. “For our sake? If you really cared about what was best for us, you wouldn’t have made a scene at Sarah’s birthday. You could have told us privately, in your own time. No, you wanted to stir things up for your own reasons, didn’t you p>
She looked Davina up and down without a shred of warmth. “No one here is an idiot. You ruined a birthday I put my heart into for Sarah and made her miserable. Forget about Lance. I ought to be the one demanding answers from the Carter family p>