Chapter 357
While everyone online was busy gossiping about who Jasper’s real father was, Camilla’s phone rang. She glanced at the unfamiliar number. Instinct said not to pick up, but curiosity won out. When she answered, she recognized Barnard’s voice right away.
He sounded annoyed, almost frantic. “Camilla, what exactly is going on with those rumors? Did you really let Jasper start calling Lance his dad? Doesn’t that seem impulsive to you p>
Barnard didn’t even pause before launching into another barrage. “I have no idea how you and Lance ended up together, but you two act like you can’t live without each other. How can you be sure it’ll always be this way? Can you really guarantee Lance won’t hold Jasper’s background against him, now or ever p>
Even through the phone, Camilla could feel Barnard’s agitation, his frustration rolling off him in waves. Honestly, she couldn’t help laughing. When Jasper was living with the Carter family, Barnard never spared him a moment’s care or concern. Thinking back now, Barnard probably just thought Jasper was a hassle.
Yet suddenly, seeing Jasper and Lance so close, Barnard had decided to play the part of the concerned father, as if he’d never had a problem with Jasper at all.
Camilla let out a small, mocking laugh. Of course, Barnard caught it.
“What’s so funny, Camilla?” His tone grew harsher. “I’m being serious. The Charles family is on a completely different level than you are, and you’re dragging Jasper along with you. Maybe Lance likes you now, and maybe he’s willing to say Jasper is his son, but have you actually thought about what’ll happen if he stops? Jasper will never be the Charles heir, and he’ll only end up in an even messier situation p>
Barnard’s voice started to calm down, slipping into that fake gentle persuasion she knew too well, trying yet again to make her second-guess every decision.
Camilla tilted her head, eyes drifting to where Lance was sitting on the living room floor with Jasper, the two of them lost in a video game. Seeing them together made her heart soften. It also made her blunt. “You’re overthinking things, Barnard. Everything you just said—it’s all just in your head. You don’t know Lance at all, and he’s not nearly as petty as you assume. Jasper actually feels safe and happy with him.
Instead of wasting your energy trying to make trouble for us, maybe you should worry about your own family business. Has Davina come home yet? Or do you not even know what happened p>
Barnard’s voice wavered for the first time. “What are you talking about? What did Davina do now?” He sounded anxious, and Camilla could hear him trying to keep the panic out of his voice. She remembered he’d said Davina hadn’t come home since early that morning.
Recently, every time they’d bumped into each other, that woman had nagged him about having a baby together. Since Barnard figured out his feelings toward Davina might be nothing more than gratitude, things between them had gotten awkward. The idea of having a child now almost seemed like a mistake.
Thinking about all the reckless things Davina had done lately just made him more worried. He never used to worry about the Carter family’s heir being an idiot, but after seeing Davina’s recent behavior… her genes might really be a problem.
He’d actually been avoiding Davina. If she wasn’t home, he figured she just needed space and didn’t ask too many questions. Now, though…
Camilla cut him off with a casual, “You’ll find out soon enough.” Then she hung up, not wanting to hear another word of his anxiety.
She made her way to the living room. Lance and Jasper immediately turned to look at her, setting aside the game. Jasper seemed hesitant, like he wanted to ask something but changed his mind at the last second. Lance didn’t hesitate. He stood up and handed her the controller.
“Go play with Jasper. I’ve got something to take care of,” he said.
“What is it?” she asked, more curious than anything. Lance just laughed, a low, warm sound.
“You’ve already made your threat, Camilla. And I’m not about to let your words go to waste. Just wait for some good news from me p>
Camilla knew he meant he was going to take revenge on the Carter Group. Any last bit of sympathy she might have had for them was gone. Instead, the way Lance said those words, his almost playful protectiveness, made her heart beat a little faster.
Once Lance left for his study, Jasper finally spoke up. “Mom, you and Lance… Should I call him Dad from now on p>
Lance had never been one to hide anything, so Camilla wasn’t surprised that even Jasper knew about the gossip online. She ruffled Jasper’s hair and answered gently, “You don’t have to make any decisions you’re not ready for, Jasper. Even if I’m with Lance, if you want to keep calling him by his name, that’s fine. I want you to do what feels right to you, not what anybody else wants p>
Jasper nodded, his voice quiet but thoughtful. “Okay, Mom.” He didn’t tell her his final decision, and Camilla didn’t press him on it. They simply sat together and went back to their game.
Lance stayed in his study for more than an hour and only came out when it was time for dinner. Camilla had cooked, setting the table with four dishes and a soup. One of them was cilantro beef, Jasper’s favorite.