Chapter 422
“Why don’t you break up with Lance?” Barnard proposed. “If we get back together, I’ll tell you everything. Deal p>
“Did you forget the contract we signed?” Camilla asked, her tone dry. “You owe me eight million dollars every time we meet. That contract still stands, Barnard. Are you sure you can afford a long-term relationship with me p>
“It’s just money. Fine,” he scoffed. “If that’s your condition, I can give you every cent I make. I mean it this time, Camilla p>
She let out a soft laugh. “Are you really trying to spin this? Eight million a meeting, Barnard, and you want something long-term? What, are you a walking money printer p>
Barnard didn’t flinch at her sarcasm. His tone grew cryptic. “What makes you think I can’t afford it? If I can meet your price, will you be with me p>
“You’ve changed,” she observed. “Even as the heir to the Carter family, you never had the confidence to throw that kind of cash around. Does managing a single project for The Williams Group really pay that well p>
The smirk vanished from Barnard’s lips, replaced by a cold, serious edge. His eyes locked onto hers through his lenses. “You’re trying to play me. What are you really doing in Valdoria, Camilla? Why are you so obsessed with The Williams Group p>
“Didn’t I already tell you my reasons?” she shot back smoothly. “You’re the one dodging questions and hiding things. If you won’t even be honest, why would I agree to any of your demands p>
A faint, mocking smile returned to his face. “Don’t treat me like an idiot. You claimed you came to Valdoria for business to network with Mike, but I know for a fact Lance already introduced you to him yesterday. And if you really wanted to learn about health supplements, there are plenty of massive medical corporations back home. You didn’t need to fly all the way here. You crash our banquet, then keep hovering around the company. Your motives are painfully obvious p>
Camilla felt a jolt of unease. Barnard was entirely too sharp right now.
He used to overlook the fine details, but now p>
This transformation had everything to do with The Williams Group. He was definitely involved in something incredibly shady, which explained his hyper-vigilance.
Then there was the slip he’d just made. His family had gone bankrupt, yet he was throwing around more cash now than he ever did as the Carter heir. If the medical field was truly this insanely lucrative, every billionaire on the planet would be scrambling for a piece of the pie.
Realizing she wasn’t going to get anything else out of him, frustration gnawed at her. Nearly a week had passed, and she still had zero leads on her father’s whereabouts. Clement was right in front of her, the perfect lead, yet she was hitting a brick wall.
“Look, Camilla,” Barnard added, his trademark arrogance creeping back in. “Maybe if you just tell me what you’re really after, I could actually help you p>
Help her?
She scoffed internally. Barnard and Clement were cut from the same cloth now. If he knew her true agenda, he would only help Clement bury the truth.
As for his supposed declarations of love, she didn’t buy a single syllable. He used to swear he loved Davina, too, and look how quickly he grew sick of her. She had zero doubt that the second she revealed the truth, he would sell her out for the right price.
In the end, she kept her mouth shut. Barnard muttered to himself, “Fine, don’t tell me. I’ll figure it out myself. You’re going to be mine, Camilla. I won’t let you be with anyone else p>
*Psycho,* she cursed silently.
Just then, a middle-aged man in a sharp suit hurried over to Barnard. “Barnard, Dr. Gates needs to see you urgently. Please come right away p>
Barnard gave a curt nod before turning back to the man. “See our guest out p>
The ‘guest’ was obviously her.
The man radiated authority. Employees bowed their heads in respect as he passed, indicating he held a senior position, yet he treated Barnard with absolute deference.
Camilla probed carefully. “Why is everyone so respectful to him? He isn’t officially part of the company, is he p>
“The boss values Barnard highly. We’re just following orders,” the man replied rigidly.
“And who is Dr. Gates?” she pressed. “What project is he running p>
The man shot her a suspicious look. “That’s classified company information. I have nothing to share p>
Within moments, they were at the front doors. “After you, ma’am p>
Another dead end. Standing on the sidewalk outside The Williams Group, her mind raced. She decided her best move was to meet up with Magee to see if he could dig up any dirt on the company.
Just as she turned to leave, a faint, muffled sobbing drifted from the nearby hedges. It sounded like a child.