Chapter 433
Camilla’s gaze was locked onto Lance. A heavy fog in her mind suddenly felt like it was lifting. Something was desperately trying to break through, only to be quickly obscured again.
It was hazy, chaotic, and frustratingly out of reach.
Lance looked deeply conflicted. He had always been completely transparent with her, but right now, he was hesitating.
The silence stretched, thick and anxious.
Just then, a booming laugh echoed from the doorway. “Well, look at that! Darwin, you didn’t have to wait up for me. I assumed you’d all eaten by now p>
It was Carney.
Camilla had briefly crossed paths with him once before, back when Davina had tried to sabotage her.
He was still wearing his flowing, bohemian robes, looking entirely out of place in the opulent Charles estate.
The moment someone new entered, Jeniffer instantly dropped her interrogation. She bounded over to him. “Carney, please tell me you didn’t just bring us spiritual amulets for the holidays again p>
Carney let out a sheepish laugh. “Haha, you know me too well, Jeniffer. All that gold and jewelry you guys pass around is practically useless. My protective charms actually save lives. People beg for these on the streets p>
He pulled a handful of red charms from his robes and started passing them out like flyers, making sure every family member and staff member got one.
Jeniffer pouted, clearly unimpressed. “It’s been years, Carney, and you never change it up. Always the exact same thing.
We have a new family member this year. Shouldn’t you at least give Jasper something special p>
Reminded by Jeniffer, Carney finally looked over at Jasper. He smacked his forehead. “You’re absolutely right! A kid needs something unique. Tell you what—there’s a peach tree out back. I’ll personally carve you a protective wooden totem. It’ll ward off any negative energy that tries to mess with our Jasper p>
Carney was directly referencing the dark curse Davina had tried to use earlier in the year.
Jasper stared at Carney with an incredibly weirded-out expression. Between the eccentric outfit and the strange rambling, the little boy clearly wanted nothing to do with him.
Darwin cleared his throat loudly. “Stop trying to brainwash my great-grandson with your mumbo jumbo. Leave him alone p>
Ever since Carney had retreated into his spiritual, reclusive lifestyle, Darwin had heavily disapproved. The Charles lineage was already thin enough; they didn’t need another relative abandoning society for enlightenment. And he certainly wasn’t going to let Jasper get sucked into it.
Darwin smoothly changed the subject. “You’re late for the family dinner. Do you have any respect for me at all p>
Carney chuckled. “I consulted the stars this morning and foresaw a storm brewing in this house. I strategically timed my arrival to avoid the disaster. Pretty perfect timing, wouldn’t you say p>
It was glaringly obvious that the storm was Tessa’s spectacular meltdown. Bringing up the unpleasantness made Darwin choke on his own breath. His eccentric brother was truly getting more insufferable with age.
Carney’s eyes were now fixed intently on Jasper. “When I read this boy’s birth chart before, I knew his destiny was too grand for a minor family like the Carters. To think he was actually one of our own all along.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Darwin, you played that incredibly close to the chest. You found your biological great-grandson and didn’t even announce it to the world p>
Biological great-grandson?
Camilla completely froze.
She had entertained countless theories about the identity of Jasper’s father, but never once had she imagined it could be Lance.
Her mind violently snapped back to Jeniffer’s earlier comment. Was it possible? The man from that terrifying night… had it really been Lance?
Lance looked just as utterly blindsided. “Carney, are you sure about that? Jasper is really my son p>
The shock was so immense that the question tore out of him before he could stop it.
Carney looked confused. “Wait, you didn’t know? Just look at his features! The prodigal bloodline has returned to the nest. He is unmistakably a Charles p>
Carney was so busy showing off his spiritual intuition that he completely missed Darwin frantically winking at him to shut up.
Darwin was practically vibrating with rage. Big mouth! He had never realized his brother was such a blabbermouth. If he had known, he would have barred him from the house entirely!
Even if the secret had to come out, it was supposed to happen after the holidays!
Now it was out in the open. Lance was going to realize Darwin had been secretly buttering Jasper up. Worse, Lance might assume Darwin had ulterior motives and take the boy away, leaving Darwin entirely alone again.
Carney was still rambling about Jasper’s facial structure and how destined for greatness he was.
But Lance had already caught Darwin’s panic-stricken face. He cut straight to the point. “Grandpa. Did you already know about Jasper’s paternity p>
Darwin averted his eyes, entirely unable to hold Lance’s furious gaze.
Lance shifted his attention to Oscar, only to see his father looking away guiltily, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.
A dark, bitter laugh escaped Lance’s lips.