Chapter 40
Barnard shot Camilla a look in the rearview mirror. He didn’t need to say anything. His eyes said it all, silently throwing the blame her way, as if asking, Who else could it be but you?
Camilla didn’t bother to set the record straight. “Say whatever you want. Pull over. I’m getting out p>
Barnard didn’t argue this time. As soon as the locks clicked, he added, “I really hope you can take it easy on Davina. She and Daisy haven’t done anything. And please, let’s keep whatever’s between us away from my parents p>
“Bad dad, Mom…” Jasper muttered, climbing out of the car after Camilla while Barnard’s words were still hanging in the air.
Before she could say anything more, Camilla gently put her hand over Jasper’s mouth, stopping her. There was really nothing left for her to discuss with Barnard anyway. She silently accepted today’s punishment. She didn’t need his pity, either.
Barnard had already made up his mind that Camilla was the one who ratted him out. For the next few days, he didn’t come looking for her. The next time they crossed paths was three days later.
Camilla had a pile of designs to finish for a deadline. The client came through The Carter Group, some foreign company with way too many picky requirements. It hadn’t been an easy job. She’d stayed up for weeks just to get everything submitted.
But her hand was in bad shape, and the swelling only got worse these last few days. Drawing had been a struggle, so some lines came out shaky and imperfect. These were only rough drafts, nothing final, and eventually they could be fixed. Still, the client refused to let those little flaws go.
Soon it had blown up. They complained to Barnard, saying The Carter Group’s choice of designer was a total disappointment, that she couldn’t even draw straight.
Barnard set up a meeting to apologize. Since the mistake was technically hers, she had no choice but to show up.
She got there early. The foreign director wasn’t there yet, but Barnard was already waiting in the private room. As soon as he saw her, he frowned. “Camilla, since when are you so impulsive? You know how hard I worked to get you this gig with Daniel. Why would you mess up the design with such basic mistakes? Even if you have issues with me, we could’ve talked it over in private. Why let it bleed into work p>
Camilla hadn’t even opened her mouth when Aaron arrived with Daniel.
Barnard shot her another look, then stood up and went over to greet them.
Daniel jumped in right away. “Barnard, I trust you, which is the only reason I handed this project over. But look at this. The designer you brought in? Her lines are unstable, her fundamentals are weak. What, am I not worth the effort for your group p>
“I’m sorry, Daniel. The lead designer is my wife. Her skills are always top-notch. It’s just this time p>
“I’m sorry, Daniel. This was my fault,” Camilla cut in before Barnard could finish. “I’m not going to make excuses. I just hope you’ll give me a chance to prove myself. My skills aren’t the problem p>
Daniel’s gaze landed squarely on Camilla. “Prove it? You can’t even draw clean lines. Are you here to show me how bad you are p>
“You’re right, my lines were off this time. But that’s not a reflection of my real abilities,” Camilla answered. “If you don’t believe me, go ahead and test me right now. I’ll prove I’m the best person for this project.” She had come ready to make things right. Her tools were tucked in her bag, and now she spread them out on the table in front of Daniel.
Daniel shot her a skeptical look.
“Daniel, a tiny flaw doesn’t mean the whole work deserves to be tossed. Please, just give me a chance to show you what I can actually do, right here, right now,” she pressed.
All along, Daniel had zeroed in on her shaky lines. He hadn’t said a word about her actual designs, and he hadn’t pulled the plug on the contract either. That meant there was still hope.
Daniel snorted, “Fine. Let’s see if you’re just confident or totally arrogant. I won’t make this hard. I want a fresh concept for the same necklace. Show it to me right now p>
It wasn’t a harsh request. Most designers come up with lots of versions before a final draft anyway. Camilla just needed to pick from her old sketches and draw another version on the spot.
She got right to work. Daniel watched while her pen moved, his brow slowly bunching up. “Your hand p>
“It’s just a minor injury. It won’t get in the way. Give me a little time. I’ll finish soon,” Camilla assured him.
Daniel’s comment finally made Barnard notice her hands. When he saw her wrist trembling a little and the obvious swelling across her palm, his face shifted. He reached over and gently took the pen away. “Don’t push yourself. Why didn’t you say anything? How did this even happen p>
He took her hands in his and looked them over. The swelling and redness were impossible to miss. Anyone could tell these weren’t fresh.
“It has nothing to do with you. Hand me the pen. I’ll deal with my own mistakes,” Camilla answered, her voice steady.