Chapter 366
“The truth is, you wanted me to go after Camilla. And that boyfriend you found? He was never real, either.
Sarah, all these years, I honestly thought we’d have each other’s backs no matter what happened. I can’t believe I was doing things for you, and now you want to pretend like I’m nothing to you p>
As Shirley laid everything out, all of Sarah’s recent schemes and lies, she actually felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
Across from her, Sarah had gone ghostly pale. Her eyes kept skittering away, flicking to her phone every few seconds, clearly waiting for something or someone to save her.
She hadn’t been expecting this. She’d been called here in a rush, and now she was smack in the middle of some kind of intervention.
Still, even cornered, Sarah tried to bluff. “Shirley, you know I never told you to make trouble for Camilla. Everything you’re saying—honestly, it’s all in your head. You’re twisting things and now you’re putting it all on me. That hurts so much p>
Her eyes filled with just the right amount of tears, wounded and pleading, the look that always made Shirley’s heart soften.
But this time, Shirley looked away. She was done taking bullets for Sarah.
Lance, watching Sarah put on her act, finally snapped. “Are you finished? It’s been forever since I saw you, and honestly, the only thing that’s changed is your skin’s gotten thicker. Everything’s out in the open now. Are you really going to keep lying p>
“No, Lance, I—” Sarah tried to defend herself, but her ringtone cut her off. When she saw who was calling, something almost hopeful sparked in her eyes. She answered, not caring that Lance was right there.
It was Tessa on the other end, her voice tight with worry. “Sarah, where are you? Why didn’t you come to your piano lesson p>
Sarah didn’t answer right away. Her voice turned soft and fragile instead. “Lance, it’s Tessa… she’s worried about me. Can I just p>
She sounded small and scared, like she’d been bullied within an inch of her life.
“Tessa,” Sarah barely began before Tessa blew up on the phone. “Sarah, what’s going on? Is Lance with you? Is he harassing you p>
“No, Tessa, please don’t worry. Lance isn’t doing anything to me. We just had a little misunderstanding—nothing serious. We’ll sort it out p>
She was clearly trying to lead Tessa on, and Camilla could hear it too. Camilla frowned, glancing worriedly at Lance, but Lance didn’t bother with subtlety. He spoke straight into the phone. “Tessa, I think it’s time we cleared the air. Why don’t you and Darwin come over and we’ll talk things through in person p>
“Lance, what are you up to now? I’m warning you, you’d better not lay a hand on Sarah!” Tessa’s voice was loud enough to be headache-inducing.
She always took Sarah’s side, even with her own son standing right there, acting like Lance was the villain.
Lance just shrugged and answered without hesitation. “Half an hour. If you two don’t show up, I can’t promise what’ll happen to your precious girl. And bring Darwin with you. We need someone neutral to see what’s really going on p>
“Lance…” Camilla stepped forward, not wanting all this drama, but Lance squeezed her hand—quiet but steady.
“Camilla, stay out of it. I’ll take care of this. Now that I’ve seen what’s going on, I won’t let her hurt you again,” he said, not bothering to lower his voice.
Sarah caught the exchange and something cold flashed in her eyes, though she quickly buried it.
Watching it all unfold, Shirley finally felt at peace, like for the first time, she saw things clearly.
It had all been wrong from the beginning.
Camilla was never the one getting between anyone. Sarah was the one who never got Lance’s heart.
Lance ended the call himself.
Sarah kept her head down, looking like she was plotting her next move.
Tessa showed up barely twenty minutes later, practically charging through the door with Darwin panting behind her.
She froze the second she saw everyone there. Darwin’s glare landed on Camilla first and he immediately snapped, “What now? You always have to stir up trouble, don’t you? Can’t you just have one peaceful day p>
Noticing that glare, Lance moved to shield Camilla, stepping protectively in front.
“If you want to know who’s making trouble, look at Sarah for once. She’s been raised in this house all these years and still doesn’t know how to act. She’s an adult. Honestly, maybe it’s time to say it out loud—she should leave The Charles Family once and for all p>
“Lance! That’s your sister you’re talking about! I don’t care how mad you are, you can’t just pick on her like this. Who put you up to this anyway?” Tessa slammed her hand on the table, her voice shrill enough to make everyone flinch, her glare so fierce it seemed she’d burn a hole straight through Camilla.