Chapter 360
He was just trying to embarrass Barnard in front of Camilla, to make sure she saw him at his most pathetic.
Annoyed, Barnard cursed Lance inwardly, then forced himself to face Camilla and mutter a stiff, “I’m sorry p>
“That’s what you call a sincere apology?” Lance scoffed, making no effort to hide his irritation. “Maybe you should search online and see how a real apology is done p>
A muscle twitched in Barnard’s temple. If their social status wasn’t so different, he’d have walked out without another word. But then the Carter Group flashed in his mind, tottering on the edge of collapse, and he pushed his anger down. “Fine, what do you want me to do, Lance p>
“Kneel,” Lance said, his voice calm but final.
Barnard’s face went pale. “What?” Disbelief and anger tangled inside him. He raised his voice, nearly shrill. “Lance, don’t cross the line p>
“Cross the line? Weren’t you the one who came to beg? If you can’t do it, nobody’s forcing you. The door’s right there,” Lance replied, his tone nonchalant.
That shut Barnard up. Leave? Was that even an option? If he gave up now, the Carter Group was done for. Lance knew exactly how to hit where it hurt. Barnard really didn’t dare to make an enemy of a guy like him.
Seeing the hesitation, Lance pressed on. “Kneel down, give Camilla three solid bows, and maybe I’ll consider your proposal p>
Barnard’s face burned with humiliation. But oddly, it made his head clearer. This apology to Camilla was just a front. Lance wanted to grind him down, to crush him completely. He wanted Camilla to never forget the sight of Barnard battered and begging, to kill any chance of her ever wanting him back. For Camilla, Lance would go to any lengths.
“I promised my son a trip to the amusement park today. I don’t have all day for this,” Lance said, checking his watch. “You’ve got ten seconds. If you’d rather not, then just leave p>
He started counting down, dropping his fingers one at a time right in Barnard’s face.
When only three fingers were left and Lance’s eyes had gone ice cold, Barnard understood there was no bluff. Jaw clenched, he finally got to his knees in front of Camilla, bowing deeply and letting his forehead hit the ground three times, each one louder than the last.
Afterwards, he looked up, his face hot with shame. “Is this enough p>
Lance didn’t even look at him. Instead, he turned to Camilla and spoke gently, “Camilla, what do you think? Do you forgive him p>
The answer was obvious, but it still stung when he heard it. Camilla’s lips curled as she answered, her tone icy and distant. “No. I will never forgive him. Not in this lifetime p>
Lance turned back to Barnard and gave a helpless shrug. “You heard her. Camilla doesn’t want to forgive you, so I’m just following her wishes. You should leave, Barnard p>
Barnard surged to his feet, anger blazing in his chest. “Lance, are you messing with me?” He was losing control, his voice echoing in the space between them.
Lance didn’t blink. “How am I messing with you? I told you from the very start, you needed Camilla’s forgiveness. Do you ever listen? No wonder you’re running the Carter family into the ground p>
Watching Barnard fall apart, Lance felt nothing but contempt. He didn’t say another word, just picked Jasper up and wrapped one arm around Camilla’s waist. Together, the three of them walked away, leaving Barnard behind without a second glance.
Barnard stood there, his eyes glued to their backs. Over the wind, he could just make out Jasper’s impatient little voice, “Dad, you’re so slow. We’re gonna miss the carousel p>
“Sorry, buddy. My bad. Waiting in line is nothing. I promise you’ll be first on the next ride, okay?” Lance replied, the gentle tone making Barnard’s chest ache.
Their voices faded, lost in the breeze. Barnard couldn’t hear them anymore, but the sour feeling inside him only got worse.
Dad?
So Jasper really was calling Lance “Dad” now. It seemed like his attachment to Lance was already stronger than it ever was to Barnard.
And Lance… he actually loved Camilla. The way he cared for her, and for Jasper, made that crystal clear.
What about him? With Lance by her side, could Camilla ever come back? For the first time, Barnard felt truly unsure.
He didn’t even notice he was still kneeling until the sound of someone crying snapped him out of his daze. “Barnard! What are you doing? Why are you kneeling here? Was this Camilla’s idea? How could she be so cruel? How could she humiliate you like this? No, she’s gone too far. I’m going to find her right now p>
Davina babbled as she moved to go, her voice high and panicked. Barnard’s face darkened. “Stop. Haven’t you caused enough trouble already p>