Chapter 362
Lance hit the brakes hard, jolting everyone in the car. Camilla’s eyes snapped wide open just in time to see the person standing in the middle of the road. It was Davina.
Barnard had shown up that morning, and now Davina stood in their way. Camilla felt worn down, but more than anything, she was just annoyed.
Lance leaned on the horn, the blaring sound echoing down the street. Davina didn’t move. She stayed kneeling, blocking their way. The noise was so loud that Jasper, sleeping in the back seat, woke up and rubbed his eyes, still half lost in a dream.
“Mom, Dad, what’s going on?” he mumbled.
Lance let out a sharp, frustrated sigh. “What is with that family? Like stubborn dogs, they just won’t leave things alone.” He looked back at Camilla. “You stay with Jasper. I’ll go see what she wants p>
Camilla shook her head. “No, let me handle it.” She had more experience dealing with Davina. Out of everyone, she knew exactly what Davina was really like. Besides, it just seemed wrong for Lance to get involved directly.
Camilla climbed out of the car, her feet barely touching the ground before Davina rushed at her.
“Camilla, this is all my fault. Every bit of it. Barnard had no idea what was happening. Please… don’t make things hard for him, alright p>
Camilla’s expression was cool. “So, you’re here to take all the blame for Barnard? That’s your plan p>
Davina looked away, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. “Barnard’s innocent. Camilla, you can’t blame him for this p>
A cold laugh slipped from Camilla’s lips. “You call him innocent, and that’s supposed to convince me? Davina, I know you. Without his help, you never would have made it into that banquet hall. If you’re going to take responsibility, at least come up with something that makes sense p>
Her gaze was sharp and unwavering. She was trying to see through Davina, right to the truth. Honestly, the last couple of days, Camilla had kept wondering how Davina had even managed to get into that party. Tessa was fiercely protective of Sarah. She wouldn’t let just anyone stroll in. Davina didn’t have the connections on her own—someone had to be helping her, someone who obviously wanted to make trouble.
Watching Davina’s panic, Camilla realized this might be the perfect chance to draw that person out.
“It wasn’t Barnard!” Davina insisted, her voice rising, but she paused, words catching in her throat.
“Then who?” Camilla pressed. “Who else could have helped you pull this off? We’re not together anymore—Barnard and I are divorced. If you all still insist on dragging me into your mess, don’t expect me to stand back and do nothing. Whatever happens to the Carter family isn’t my business. You can leave now p>
Davina shook her head. “No, it had nothing to do with Barnard. It… it was a friend I met online. After we saw Barnard looking for you outside BLC, she told me what to do p>
“What friend?” Camilla asked.
“Shirley. Her name is Shirley p>
That name hit Camilla like ice water. Shirley—the only person Sarah actually got along with. All of her instincts had been right. No matter how sweet Sarah acted when they were face to face, she was playing a deeper game.
While Camilla was processing the shock, she heard Lance’s voice behind her.
“Shirley p>
She glanced back. Lance had slipped out of the car without her noticing, now standing behind her, his gaze dark and hard as he stared at Davina. Even Davina seemed rattled by his presence, shrinking back a little.
Davina clung to her story. “Yeah. She contacted me online first. She was the one who suggested we meet to go shopping, and then she helped me figure out this plan. I saved all the chat logs p>
She pulled out her phone and scrolled, then handed it toward Lance.
He glanced at the screen, memorized the username, and went straight to messaging someone to check the account’s location.
Davina tried one more time. “Camilla, I swear I’m telling the truth. Can you let Barnard off the hook now p>
“No way,” Lance spoke firmly before Camilla could reply. “You’re still Barnard’s wife. Even if you take the blame, it’s the Carter family that’s behind this, and I’m not going to let it go. Go back and tell them—none of you are off the hook p>
Davina’s face twisted. “You can’t do this. This is too much p>
Lance didn’t bother arguing. He turned and called out, “Spotty!” Instantly, their big Alaskan Malamute came racing across from the villa, heading straight at Davina.
She went pale and staggered, memories of the dog biting Barnard flashing through her mind. She scrambled back, barely managing to get to her feet and take off running. The Malamute skidded to a stop at Lance’s side and nuzzled into his arms instead. Davina stumbled further away, glaring back at Camilla, but she didn’t dare come closer.
Lance kept one hand on Spotty to calm him and rested the other gently on Camilla’s shoulder.
“Camilla, if it turns out Sarah was behind this, I promise—I’ll make sure you get justice p>